The Well-Nourished Skin

Since most of what we eat today can cause dull skin, the idea of going "more natural" has become very appealing. Many of us have started to eat fresh and healthy foods to reduce the amount of toxins in our diet which is the first thing towards a lovely complexion.

But, have we really given our skin what it needs to glow beautifully?

The world is abundant of nutritious elements and one is water - the most forgotten nutrient. Water has the biggest power to rid the body of toxins and is the number one key to keep the skin moist.

If hand and body lotions are what we consider synthetic ways to calm, soften and smooth away dry patches on the skin from the outside, water is the most natural way to get your skin detoxified, softened and hydrated from the inside.

Water enhances the benefits of vitamins and other antioxidant nutrients in your body. It works to make your moisturizers and sunscreens work better by providing adequate hydration and help return your skin to suppleness.

Vitamins ACE are the known "beauty" vitamins.

Vitamin A is essential for soft tissue, mucous membranes and the skin in general. It helps heal scar tissue and acts as a strong "barrier" that protects the skin against UVA rays. Vitamin A helps even out skin tone, diminishes fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. It also reduces pore size and improves skin texture. Vitamin A aids in the production of collagen, which supports the tissues of the skin.

Natural sources of this vitamin are egg yolks, milk, dairy products and fish oil, along with foods that are rich in beta-carotene.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage. Since vitamin C is known as ascorbic acid, it is also the key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels that makes the skin firm. Vitamin C has the ability to rejuvenate, moisturize, soften, exfoliate and cleanse the skin.

This is why some night creams contain vitamin c to help the skin fade out freckles and sun spots while you're sleeping. Providing your skin with this night skin regimen along with the real and soluble vitamin c thoroughly moisturizes and repairs skin tissues while you're asleep. It's getting both ends of the world!

Vitamin C is naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, berries, melons, and peppers.

Vitamin E, is a very powerful antioxidant that promotes skin elasticity. It is an essential nutrient your skin needs to retard the aging process by keeping the lipid and collagen fibers oxidized.

One of the benefits of vitamin E on the skin is providing a chemical known as d-alpha tocopherol (the natural vitamin-E) that works hand in hand with beta-carotene, lycopene and other carotenoids in protecting the skin from the influence of the many external factors like the free radicals pollution, dirty air, gas fumes and garbage.

Eating fruits and vegetables is necessary for the overall health of your skin.

Foods rich in beta-carotene are the number one beauty food group. They have that distinct yellow and orange colors which are responsible for those rosy cheeks and a nice golden hue to tanned skin. It is rich in phytonutrients that is easily absorbed by the body and converted into retinol which is the most potent and active form of Vitamin A. Beta-carotene efficiently works with other antioxidants vitamins C and E to fight free radicals.

Foods such as carrots, pumpkin "squash", sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupes, mangoes, watermelon, grapefruit, melon, papaya, cherries, plums and turnips are rich in beta-carotene. Don't forget broccoli, collar greens, mustard greens, lettuces, kale, and chilies.

Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums are the fruits with the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food. They work hard in the repair of sun-damaged skin. Try my Berry-Banana-Orange with Parsley Smoothie!

Hard for busy people, but plenty of sleep is essential to help the skin nourish itself. Plenty of sleep allows the skin to rest so cells can regenerate properly, giving out fresh, new skin cells to replace the old one. This process happens quicker at night compared to daytime.

When the skin is bombarded with UV rays, pollution and other environmental factors during daytime, all these can cause your skin to dehydrate, produce lines, wrinkles and sun spots. When you sleep at night, the skin repairs itself to reverse this damage. So if you give your skin plenty of sleep, all the night’s work is done more efficiently, and the next day, your skin is better able to protect itself.

Many claims that the concept of “beauty sleep” are part of the old wives tale. Tale or truth, your skin doesn't lie. When you don’t get enough sleep, your skin shows it.