Best Food For Healthy Skin

We all want healthy skin. Healthy skin always looks good which in turn makes us feel good. A healthy skin is not just something that should be dealt with on a purely cosmetic level, it needs to be a genuine by-product of a healthy body. And this means maintaining a balanced diet.

Trigger Foods

According to the NHS website, it is a myth that acne is caused by a poor diet. However, there are foods that exacerbate it. This is because certain foods will increase your blood sugar which in turn releases insulin. When there is too much insulin in your blood, it can cause your oil glands to produce more oil which will block your pores and increase your risk of acne. The foods most likely to raise insulin are white bread, white rice, pasta, and sugar. There is also scientific evidence that points to chocolate having an exacerbating effect on acne.

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to foods that may trigger conditions such as acne and rosacea. Frequent triggers are alcohol, red meat, spicy foods and caffeine, but because everyone’s different, the best way of finding out what your triggers are is to keep a diary of what you eat each day, and when the condition flares up. After a while you will hopefully be able to see patterns and adjust your diet accordingly.

Foods That Help

Having a diet that’s rich in Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin as Vitamin C helps boost the all-important collagen. Most of us think of oranges as a good source of Vitamin C, but there are other foods which have even greater levels, including;

• broccoli
• brussels sprouts
• kiwi fruit
• kale
• bell peppers
• strawberries
• mango

Other foods that contain the vitamins and minerals needed to help boost collagen include chicken, fish, egg whites, beans, and cashews.

Foods That Hinder

Sadly, sugar and refined carbohydrates can actively damage collagen, so try to steer clear of;

• white bread
• white rice
• white flour pasta
• cereals
• cakes
• biscuits
• crisps

… Sorry!

Collagen Supplements

There is a growing popularity for collagen supplements. While there has not been a huge number of scientific studies written about them, one 2014 study did find that older women had increased skin elasticity after taking daily supplements over eight weeks. At The Skin to Love Clinic, we offer the strongest version  of Gold Collagen liquid supplements, ‘Gold Collagen Rx’ which is only available from clinical settings. These have undergone clinical trials and are very popular with our clients.

Omega Oils

Omega 3 fatty acids are also beneficial for healthy skin, and are mostly found in fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines and oysters. If you don’t like oily fish, you can take Omega 3 supplements or cod liver oil. Vegetarians and vegans will benefit from flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, edamame, seaweed and algae.

Water

Staying hydrated is essential for the health of every part of your body, not just the skin. Water not only hydrates your body, it also delivers minerals and vitamins to where they’re needed, making it more likely that your skin will get everything it needs. And water helps your circulatory system flush away the toxins and waste. If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin will lose elasticity, albeit temporarily.

Moderation!

Whatever you eat or drink, make sure you do it in moderation. Even healthy foods taken in large quantities can have adverse effects. For instance, too much Vitamin C will result in diarrhoea or nausea; drinking too much water will deplete your sodium levels which can cause nausea, headaches, confusion, coma and, in very extreme cases, death. Always check with your GP before changing your diet or taking any supplements.

Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.