When it comes to our skin, it’s often a reflection of what’s happening inside our bodies. Our diets play a crucial role in its health and appearance. While skincare products can also help to address some of the external issues, it’s the foods that we eat which can have a significant impact on the texture, clarity, and glow of our complexion.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and like all the other organs it requires specific nutrients to properly function. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are essential for maintaining skin elasticity, repairing damage, and protection against environmental stressors. When our diets are missing these nutrients it can lead to dull skin, premature ageing, and even make skin conditions like acne or eczema flare up. Which is why we also use a bunch of these goodies in our products

It’s great to make informed choices about the skincare we put on our skin, but let’s dive into what we can eat that also helps make our skin feel and look good!

Skin friendly foods

Foods that are rich in those omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Our bodies are unable to produce these on their own, so we need to give our bodies a boost. There are 3 main types of omega-3; alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). All three types are essential to our health, however there are differences between them.

EPA and DHA play a crucial role in reducing inflammation in the body.

Flaxseeds are one of the richest plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This type of omega-3 fatty acid can be consumed whole, ground, or as flaxseed oil. Chia seeds are also packed with ALA omega-3s, and they also have the added bonus of being rich in fibre and protein.

Loaded with healthy fats that nourish and hydrate the skin, avocados are also full of vitamins C and E. These are both antioxidants which help prevent the skin from oxidative damage. Vitamin C is also a vital ingredient for collagen production, which helps to maintain skin firmness and elasticity.

Beta-carotene is a nutrient which your body converts into vitamin A. Sweet potato is a fantastic source for this nutrient. Vitamin A is essential for skin cell turnover, which helps keep our skin smooth and vibrant. Beta-carotene also has the added benefit of acting as a natural sunblock.

When you're looking for foods to help boost your diet with fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals - there is a nut or seed for everything. For example, walnuts are a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and sunflower seeds are packed with vitamin E.

Full of powerful antioxidants known as catechins, which help protect the skin from damage and promote its overall health. Consuming green tea regularly has been linked to reduced redness, improved moisture levels, and increased skin elasticity. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and can assist with managing skin irritations.

These little bursts of vitamin c and antioxidants provide multiple benefits for your skin. They are great for protecting the skin from free radicals which can cause premature ageing and dullness.

Nuts, berries, and dark chocolate - what a combination hey? This diet is sounding pretty yummy. Dark chocolate is full of flavonoids. These are able to protect the skin from sun damage, improve blood flow, and increase skin hydration. To get these skin benefits though, the darker the chocolate - the better. It needs to be at least 70% cocoa to be able to justify eating chocolate for your skin.

Lycopene is another powerful antioxidant helping to protect the skin from UV damage and maintain a smooth texture. Regularly eating tomatoes can help with reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Glow up!

Making sure that you incorporate these foods into your diet, is one step in the right direction for looks maxxing. By prioritising whole foods and avoiding processed foods where possible you are creating a solid food foundation for your glow. Try to avoid as much sugar and refined carbs, and instead focus on balancing your diet with proteins, healthy fats, and fibre-rich carbohydrates. And, don't forget to drink water! H2O is crucial for maintaining skin health as it helps to flush out toxins in the body which can contribute to breakouts and it keeps your skin hydrated!

By combining a healthy diet with amazing skincare products, your skin will be glowing from the inside, out.