Foods feeding beauty from the inside

It’s no secret that good skin is the reflection (pardon the pun) of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

But how do we look after the body’s largest organ, our epidermis (aka skin)? It’s not just a case of piling on expensive potions and lotions.

You can heal and nourish your skin by consuming high nutrient foods. If you need to reduce inflammation and keep skin moisturised, up your intake of fatty fish such as salmon which is high in Omega-3s. Salmon is also a great source of high-quality protein, vitamin E and zinc.

We tend to forget during winter that we’re still susceptible to UV and sun damage. To help protect yourself, alongside sunscreen, go to town on your avocado and feta on toast consumption – avocadoes contain beneficial fats as well as vitamins E and C.

Add in some bell peppers to your next dinner – they contain plenty of beta-carotene and vitamin C which are important antioxidants for your skin. Vitamin C is also necessary to create collagen, the structural protein that keeps your skin strong.

Another reason to eat greens: broccoli is a good source of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids, which are important for skin health. Broccoli also contains sulforaphane, which may help prevent skin cancer and protect skin from sunburn.

To protect your skin from UV damage, introduce more soy into your diet. Soy contains isoflavones that have been shown to improve wrinkles, collagen, skin elasticity and skin dryness.

Lastly, enjoy a guilt-free munch on decadent dark chocolate which is rich in skin-protecting antioxidants. These antioxidants can help with skin hydration, blood flow and texture.

So, before you start overhauling your beauty routine and trying to fight the dullness and dehydration of cold and windy weather, protect yourself from within this winter using whole foods.