Eating for good skin

Everybody wants good skin.  As a make up artist it is my canvas. As human beings our skin

introduces us through facial recognition and touch via a handshake. so it is important how we feel about our skin and how we look after it. The skin is the largest organ in the body and has many functions that are necessary for life, but being external to the elements, skin has to fight off so many things and protect us from so much. 

I really believe that skin health begins within and what we eat really can be who we are. There are of course factors that can defy this. Certain skin conditions can be caused from circumstances beyond our control, but even then what we eat and how we live our lives can have a huge impact on our skin health and appearance. 

General wellbeing warrants a lifestyle with plenty of activity which includes social, physical, educational and a good balance between this and your working life. Your skin would definitely choose this. A healthy skin loves fresh air, exercise, a happy social life and to be as stress free as possible. The cherry on the sugar free cake is a healthy balanced diet.

Foods for great skin

I would firstly recommend reducing sugar, cutting out junk foods, watching your alcohol intake and eating at regular times through the day. A balanced diet that contains all the macro and micro nutrients, making sure you include all the following to repair and vitalise your skin.

Beta Carotenoids- vegetable form of Vit A best consumed with fats for absorption. 
Carrots, Sweet potatoes, dark green leafy veg, dried apricot, Cos lettuce

Fats include Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats - provide essential fatty acids which act as a natural moisturiser for your skin, keeping it supple. These fats also come packaged with a healthy dose of vitamin E and help absorb vitamin A.
nuts, avocado, oil
Don't be afraid to add a small amount of saturated fat to your diet. butter, cheese and especially coconut oil. 

Vitamin C - helps repair tissue damage, great for immune
Oranges, Lemon, Clementines, Green peppers, Kiwi, Berry fruits, Broccoli

Vitamin E- Antioxidant aids immune, keeps skin sutble. 
olive oil, avocado, Almonds, pistachio and walnuts, tofu, broccoli, fish

Vitamin B2 Riboflavin and B3 Niacin both important for your skin, nervous system and important for releasing energy from food.
Milk eggs,meat, fish and fortified cereals

Zinc skin health and immune
shell fish, red meat, cashews, Almonds, dark chocolate,chicken, beans, mushrooms, spinach

Selenium element that is a powerful antioxident works along side vitamin E & C
Brazil nuts, shellfish,cooked tuna, whole bread, seeds, pork and ham.

Water essential for life, but will keep your skin plumped and hydrated and aids your digestion which in turn keeps skin glowing.

A balanced diet should include all these foods, but remember if you are changing your diet
it takes time to see an improvement in your skin. After 5 to 6 weeks you should start seeing a healthy glow.