You are what you eat - it's true, the health of your skin is directly affected by what you eat. Foods grown organically retain more beneficial nutrients than their conventionally grown counterparts and are kinder to the environment.
Your skin may be feeling the effects of days spent out in the sun but fall brings many fruits and vegetables that can help restore suppleness to your skin.
On your next trip to the grocers or your local Farmer's Market, seek out the following foods rich in antioxidants to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin. Seek out organic :
Carrots, Pumpkins & Sweet Potatoes: Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin. It is an antioxidant which neutralizes harmful elements in our skin, helps prevent wrinkles, resist infection and maintains skin's elasticity. Vegetables that are deep orange in colour are one of the best sources of Vitamin A. Pumpkin is ideal for exfoliation, repairing sun damage, reducing pigmentation and improving texture and tone. Make your own face masque with pureed pumpkin, organic honey, a hint of lemon juice, and vitamin E oil for soothing results. If you love carrots, a great home care carrot facial masque includes cooked carrots, honey, olive oil & lemon.
Yams: Diosgenin is a natural plant-derived steroid that has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties is found in yams. It has been found to increase collagen production in the skin.
Blackberries, Blueberries and Plums: Blue coloured fruits carry the highest total antioxidant capacity to protect the cell from damage and guard against premature aging. Plums mixed with yogurt and honey in a masque will improve elasticity and correct sun damage.
Beets: A root vegetable which reverses dull skin by stimulating the lymphatic system, removing waste from our cells and brightens skin by increasing the oxygen in the blood.
Cranberries: Cranberries help detoxify the skin, are rich in antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation, redness and skin irritation.
Apples: Rich with polyphenols, apples have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating apples boosts your intake of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which assists in the formation of collagen and helps maintain your skin’s waterproof barrier.
Brussels Sprouts: With high levels of collagen boosting vitamin C, brussels sprouts improve elasticity for more youthful looking skin.
Pears: Pears contain a high source of fiber and Vitamin C, critical for collagen production to minimize wrinkles and keep skin firm.
Pomegranate: A powerful antioxidant which combats inflammation, stimulates collagen production, improves smoothness and elasticity, reduces acne, sun damage, and fine lines.