Sometimes life gets to you. You get caught up in the fast paced hustle and bustle of everyday living and tend to overlook your own well-being. Pause. Take a break. Look at yourself in the mirror. Are you really and truly healthy? Unsure as to how to answer that? Well your skin can definitely answer that for you! Dull lifeless skin is an apparent signal for distress. It’s an SOS alert to prompt you to make healthier choices. While on the other hand, if your skin looks supple, nourished and radiant it is a positive sign that you are in the pink of your health! Way to go!

A diet rich in antioxidants (vitamins such as A, C, E, and B, minerals such as selenium, manganese, zinc and carotenoids) is your passport to natural healthy looking skin. Fresh fruits, vegetables and other natural foods are loaded and hoarded with these essential nutrients. Why spend all that hard earned money on exuberant skin cosmetics and skin care products, when all you need to do is a little walk to your kitchen or maybe your nearest supermarket. Here is what you need to pick!

Vitamin C Rich Fruits

Foods rich in vitamin C such as kiwis, oranges, papayas, sweet potatoes, berries (strawberries, blueberries, plums, cherries) etc stimulates collagen synthesis that helps control wrinkles and keeps your skin well hydrated. Well hydrated skin reduces the appearance of age-related dry skin that can occur later in life. The heavy dose of antioxidants present in these fruits helps combat free-radical damage (molecules that affect the collagen) and reduces skin inflammation. It fights blemishes, fine lines and age spots to give you clear gorgeous skin.

Nuts and Seeds

A handful of nuts and seeds a day is proven to do wonders for your overall well-being. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts and seeds such as the sunflower seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds etc are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that enriches your skin with essential oils. Your body is incapable of producing these vital fatty acids and they can be supplied to your body only through the intake of omega 3 rich foods. Further, nuts and seeds are loaded with Vitamin E that helps combat sun damage that your skin faces daily. Vitamin E intake plays an important role in contributing towards smooth and glowing skin. Biotin, another key ingredient that promises healthy skin is easily available in these seeds. Biotin, well renowned for its beauty secrets is used in most nail, skin and hair supplements.

Green Tea

A cup of green tea every day is good therapy for your skin. Packed with rich antioxidants it helps in reducing acne and enhances your skin to look younger and healthier. A dash of juice from a citrus fruit such as a lemon or orange into your green tea, further boosts its skin enhancing properties.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Greens such as spinach, kale, arugula and Swiss chard are stocked with naturally occurring antioxidants that fight against all types of skin problems. It contains a significant carotenoid namely the beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant instrumental in improving skin texture. It facilitates skin cell development and promotes a healthy radiant blemish-free complexion. By eating these greens, you are cleansing your skin from the inside out!

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are predominantly one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits and they contain a host of nutritious vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, copper, iron, zinc and potassium. The fruit contributes effectively towards attaining fresh youthful skin by replenishing and hydrating dull and dry skin. It boosts up your blood supply and stimulates the production of collagen (a significant skin component). It is known to protect your skin from sun and environmental damage as they are stockpiled with a nutrient called ellagic acid which promotes healing and renewing of skin.