Skin!Let’s get into it
Our skin is the largest organ to ever exist so no wonder it’s such a big deal. It is also affected by so many factors- some we can control, others… not so much. Maybe the more common factors are those that we can control because it is our human nature to do so. This be a Nutrition Education blog though so we won’t get into the existential crisis that is sometimes that human existence right now.
Like everything else in life, skin changes- it ages with us, but there are a few constants that help throughout all time. It’s important to remember that our skin is the first barrier of protection and to do that job well it is required to be at its strongest.
Hydrate
Water intake can help with that plump, glowy look as you literally moisturise from the inside out.
Vitamin C
While the use of topical serum is constantly encouraged in the best skin care routines we see today, coupling it with internal vitamin C use is even better. There are a range of food sources that can be enjoyed as well. Besides citrus like sweet peppers and West Indian cherries, leafy greens also contain vitamin C. Pairing with foods that are rich in iron helps with absorption. So by all means, stir fry your broccoli with that beef!
Vitamin A
The same goes for retinol/ retinoids- they’re an extremely powerful part of a night time routine, but so is incorporating vitamin A- rich foods into your diet.
Probiotics
“If there is dysfunction in your gut’s microbiome, it will impact your skin’s microbiome.”- Dr. Jess Braid. Pretty simple right? Except the gut is complicated in itself and studies are still ongoing regarding the microbiome. What we do know though, is that it is a diverse universe that can benefit from good bacteria like bifidobacterial found in foods like yogurt, sourdough and fermented foods.
On the flipside, we can be mindful of;
alcohol intake- A lil 1, 2 drinks is all well and good, but maybe don’t have more alcohol than you have water. It literally dehydrates your body, which includes your skin and over time can contribute to wrinkles and dullness. Not a vibe!
smoking- “No cigarette smoking in my room!” The nicotine in cigarettes actually does this thing where it narrows your vessels which minimises the amount of oxygen flow to skin cells. Less oxygen, less nutrients, less life-need I say more?
foods high in saturated fat- I love a good chicken and chips as much as anyone else. Would I make it the majority of my diet? Definitely not. Here’s why! The inflammatory response associated with these types of foods don’t just sometimes show up internally, but can also be seen on the skin’s surface as well in forms of acne or psoriasis (disclaimer: this is not the only factor associated with these representations and everyone can be affected differently)
For more on skin basics check this out!
