When you think of the healthiest person you know, what do they look like? Not, do they have 6 pack abs or bulging biceps (because honestly, that is NOT the best measure of health)… but what does their skin look like? Their hair? Their overall ‘aura’?
They may not be the person with the flattest stomach, but their body reflects their health.
You’ll also notice that the healthiest individuals tend to have glowing, clear skin. It has a brilliance to it, and they probably look younger than they are.
These super healthy looking people probably have at LEAST these three things in common:
- A healthy, balanced diet
- Some form of regular exercise
- Healthy sleep patterns
There’s so much information out there about how to change your body through food and exercise.. But what about your skin?
Your skin is your largest organ, and the first thing that people see when they look at you. But many low calorie, restrictive diets seem to have no problem sacrificing glowing skin. I think you can have both- a body you love, AND skin that looks amazing. Here are some tips to help you get there:
Stay hydrated.
Drinking lots of water is associated directly with better skin- have you ever noticed that after a night out of drinking, your skin looks worse? Some of that is from the consumption of alcohol and sugar- and some of it is from dehydration! Eat foods that are high in water content- vegetable and fruit intake can contribute to your hydration levels! Highly processed, salty or sugary foods tend to contribute to dehydration.
Reduce your consumption of sugary, salty and processed foods.
They can make your skin look dull and dry. However, don’t worry so much about the salt you add to your meals when cooking- the issue isn’t a sprinkle of sea salt- its the sodium added to processed products to increase flavor or shelf life! The amount of sodium added to processed foods is nothing compared to home cooked meals- this is just part of why processed food is so addicting (but that’s for another blog post!) . For more on how to reduce sugar in your diet, check out this blog.
Eat foods high in Vitamin C.
Vitamin C has been associated with reducing the development of wrinkles! Load up on citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, sweet potatoes and tomatoes for a boost of dietary Vitamin C. And you can also put it ON your face for benefits…I love the Vitamin C face serum from Dieciocho Skincare– I use it every night and my face has never been so soft.
Include more healthy fats (especially Omega 3 fats) in your diet.
This means more salmon, mackerel, sardines, walnuts, avocadoes and olive oil- all of these foods are great for beautiful skin (and hair!). The fats you DON’T want to include as much of in order to protect your skin are fats from vegetable oils, dairy, fried foods and processed foods.
Wear sunscreen.
I WISH I had started doing this sooner. Although sun exposure in general (since we need Vitamin D for our health!) is great, direct sunlight on unprotected skin can cause premature aging. Even if you aren’t planning on spending much time in the sun, wear some kind of sun protection every single day to protect your skin from sun damage and discoloration. Look for one that is light, won’t clog pores, and offers at least SPF 30.
Wash your face, and use quality products.
And I mean quality- not expensive! The best products I have found are NOT the most expensive ones. The great thing about improving your diet is that you will need LESS products to make your skin look amazing. Personally, I remove any makeup and the pollution of the day before I go to bed, and apply a serum or nightly moisturizer. During the day, just a lightweight sunscreen is enough for me!
The fact of the matter is, none of this is mindblowing information- the SAME ingredients and tips show up again and again in discussions of health, wellness and beauty.
The bottom line? Stay hydrated. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Eat less processed, fried and sugary foods. Use quality products on your face and body. Sleep. Repeat forever.
Would you like to learn how to eat in a way that supports your health, inside and out? Send me a message to program your free assessment call!
