How Healthy Food Promotes Skin Health

It's said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. The same could almost be said about your skin, except instead of your soul, your skin can give a fairly accurate impression of your health, lifestyle and even the type of food you eat.

This is because the nutrients we get from certain foods nourish the skin from the inside out. Creams, lotions, and serums are great for external nourishment and benefits; however, the skin's deep inner layers and surrounding tissue need nutrients and minerals too. A nutrient deficiency caused by eating an unhealthy diet will start to affect the health of your skin from the inside… eventually causing visible signs of aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and even a skin tone lacking radiance and a healthy appearance.

It is almost like the foundation of a building, if the foundation is not strong, no matter how well you build or decorate the structure, cracks are bound to come!

Let's take a look at some foods and how they help support the skin:

Almonds contain vitamin E that helps protect the skin and helps fight excessive free radicals…

Citrus fruits and strawberries - rich in vitamin C which helps the skin produce collagen to support the structure of the skin…

Red meat: despite what you read in the media, eating red meat two to three times a week is good for you. In addition to various key minerals and amino acids, red meat also contains zinc and iron which help promote cell regeneration in the skin…

Carrots are rich in vitamin A which is associated with promoting smooth skin and reducing skin pigmentation. It also helps protect against UV rays from the sun…

Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA that help support skin health and function from within.

Dark chocolate has flavanols that help improve blood flow to the skin...

Blueberries are a fantastic source of antioxidants to minimize the presence of free radicals in the skin…

Spinach: Popeye didn't just have big muscles; he also had good skin for a cartoon character…all thanks to spinach. Rich in nutrients, vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants, it's believed that spinach is good for your eyes and hair too…

Tomatoes are packed with lycopene which helps support skin health and protection from UV rays from the sun…

Walnuts have a handful of these nuts every day to promote healthier-looking skin, healthy hair, and clear bright eyes. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E...

Kiwi fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants making this fruit ideal for good skin and overall health…

A balanced diet incorporating the above food items combined with adequate amounts of water and drinks containing no caffeine, sugar, or alcohol will help your body develop a healthy foundation for your skin. Water will keep the skin hydrated as well as flush out the toxins from the body.

A good way of replenishing any nutrient deficiencies you may have in your diet could be through natural supplements like Xtendlife's Omega 3 / DHA Plus. Containing ingredients like astaxanthin and lycopene, this product is a great way to nourish your skin from the inside out while promoting a radiant healthy-looking appearance.

But don't forget your skin care regimen!

So, you're building a solid foundation for your skin from the inside out by eating a balanced diet and supplementing with the right nutrients and ingredients…great! Now, you can start nourishing your skin externally…

Working towards a good skin care regimen takes patience as well as hard work; it cannot happen overnight. Firstly, you need to understand the type of skin you have as well as its specific physiology before you start to take care of it.

There are primarily three types of skin classified according to the amount of oil or sebum secreted - oily, dry, and combination. Skin is also classified as being either sensitive or acne-prone, which means that the skin has a lower threshold for inflammation/rashes or bacterial infections. Another important thing to keep in mind is that skin type is not constant; it changes with age and changing conditions.

Along with understanding your skin type, you need to remember that although a few minutes in the sun is good for you, too much sunshine can damage the skin… leading to premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin conditions.

In addition to the right diet, it is also important to avoid harsh chemical-based skin care products like anti-aging creams and lotions which can cause irritation or aggravate skin problems. Instead use products, which use effective natural-based ingredients, like the Xtendlife range of skin care products for men and women. These products help nourish the skin, boosting its radiance and appearance.

Younger-looking, healthy skin starts from within so before you start any skin care regimen, it's important to take a good hard look at your lifestyle and more importantly, your diet. By making subtle yet beneficial changes to your food choices, you will be laying the foundation for good skin health. There's no better time to start than right now!