Ladies and gentlemen, correct us if we are wrong. Don’t you wish to have perfectly clean & clear and glowing skin on the shooting stars? Don’t feel guilty if you do. After all, good skin doesn’t only make you look amazing but it makes you feel like you can conquer the world.
But how do you get that dream skin? Is there a magic spell? No. Expensive cosmetics? No.
Before you go splurging on those expensive cosmetics or booking every parlour treatment in town, we’ve got a disclaimer. The magic spell for perfect skin isn’t found in pricey products; it’s hiding in your kitchen! Yup, you heard it right. It’s all about that healthy diet.
We’re sorry to burst the bubble. Expensive skincare products do not give you radiant skin. But a healthy diet does. We are certain that you knew it already. But somewhere in the marketing gimmicks of cosmetic brands, you got carried away and forgot what actually matters.
No issues, dear readers. We are here to remind you of the strong influence diet has on your skin health. We will be discussing how.
How does diet affect your skin?
Did you know skin can be considered the largest organ, given that it has the largest contact area? It is basically like the superhero cape that protects you from the external elements, keeping you cool when it’s hot and cosy when it’s not.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you feed to your body. If you feed it healthy and nutritional foods, your skin will be healthy. If you have a poor diet, you will only face skin issues such as acne and dull-looking skin. To give you an example here, consuming a diet consisting of fried food, sugar and fat can lead to acne and breakouts. We take it as the last thing you want, don’t you?
To emphasise the importance of diet for your overall skin health, it is essential that we understand the role of skin.
- The skin regulates the body temperature and shields us from extreme hot or cold weather.
- It safeguards us from infections and microorganisms.
- It supports the synthesis of Vitamin D.
- It prevents the essential nutrients from washing out of the body, and also acts as a water-resistant barrier and thus prevents essential nutrients from being washed out from the body.
Consequently, the skin needs adequate nutrients to perform these crucial functions. These nutrients include protein and Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. They promote healthy skin, decrease chronic conditions, and prevent early ageing.
When your body lacks these nutrients, it impacts the skin’s ability to shield you, making your body susceptible to disorders. These disorders may become apparent well in advance. Some signs that may point to these disorders include rashes, swelling, redness, pain and scars.
In addition, skin can also point to certain serious ailments. For instance, the appearance of a red butterfly rash can be a sign of lupus. Yellow skin may also indicate liver disease.
It must also be noted that the impact of diet on skin can differ from person to person. You may think of your friend here who is blessed with radiant skin – without doing anything about it. You can see them eating junk food day and night, and they won’t still get a breakout. As for some unlucky ones, somebody can eat fried food and get acne the very next day.
Which food should you have to get healthy skin?
A balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins is essential for healthy skin. These are some of the food items you can try.
- Broccoli
- Grapes
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Green tea
- Vitamin C-rich fruits such as apple, orange, kiwi and guava
- Spinach
- Yoghurt
- Carrots
- Whole grains
What else matters for skin health?
Well, by far you know that a balanced diet matters when you want to have healthy skin. But what else?
Here are two words you must swear by for healthy skin. Hydration and sunscreen. Water is the basic need for not just your organs, but for your skin as well. Keeping yourself hydrated can help you get that clear and glowing skin you wished to have in the first place.
As for sunscreen, just know it is the holy grail of healthy and radiant skin. A lot of your skin issues such as tanning, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots are caused by exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Not to mention, these rays can also cause skin cancer.
So, your takeaway here is to drink water and apply sunscreen – every 2 hours.
Closing thoughts
The relationship between diet and skin health is undeniable, revealing the remarkable impact of nourishing ourselves from within. By adopting a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, we empower our skin to radiate with a natural glow, resilience, and youthful appearance.
As we prioritise the consumption of skin-loving foods and stay hydrated, we fortify our bodies with the essential building blocks necessary for optimal skin function and regeneration. While external skin care practices are valuable, they are truly complemented by the power of internal nourishment. Embracing the notion of ’skincare from within’ not only unveils the secrets to a vibrant complexion but also offers a holistic approach to overall well-being, allowing us to embark on a lifelong journey of self-care and beauty that emanates from the inside out.
