The Skin Benefits From Dietary And Topical Nutrients

Your skin benefits from dietary and topical nutrients. A healthy daily skin diet consists of:

• Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Soothe irritation with olive oil
• Smooth rough skin with glucosamine

Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables:

Not only do you need to slather your skin with free radical-fighting creams, but you also need to fight them from within. Eating foods with antioxidants like Vitamins C and E, grape seed extract, and carotenoids help skin maintain its firmness as you age. The recommendation is at least two to three servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Blueberries and pomegranates are particularly high in antioxidants.

Omega-3 fatty acids:

• Salmon is one of the most potent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These fats keep skin supple and diminish blotchiness. They also help reduce inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties found in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to soothe skin conditions such as rosacea.
• Omega-3 fatty acids contain hydrating properties that are great for plumping skin
• Other foods you can eat for omega-3 fatty acids are cod, flaxseed, walnuts
• Fish oil supplements are recommended

Soothe irritation with olive oil:

Olive oil applied directly to the skin is an excellent moisturizer. If you use it when preparing food you can also benefit from protection of the skin against discoloration caused by conditions like rosacea or acne. This is due to the oil’s abundance of polyphenols.

Smooth rough skin with glucosamine:

Topical glucosamine increases production of hyaluronic aicd (your body’s natural moisturizer) after being applied for at least six weeks according to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. This same study suggested the skin gets more benefits when glucosamine is taken as an oral supplement.

The right make-up goes a long way toward making skin look luminous decade after decade. Follow the link in the resource box of this article to find more skin care and make-up tips.

Source: Buford A. 5 Sexy New Spa Tricks. Cosmopolitan [serial online]. August 2008;245(4):97. Available from: MAS Ultra - School Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 1, 2008. vbb