When it comes to skin, I am a great believer in “you are what you eat”. If my skin is acting up, I know that it will be down to eating the wrong foods or not drinking enough water. Your skin really is a true reflection of your internal health and if you don’t eat right, it will show! If you strive for clear, healthy, glowing skin, you need to know that miracle creams and serums won’t cut it alone – you have to eat well and treat your skin well (that means no alcohol-filled products!). As the skin is last in line to receive nutrients from food, you need to maximise your diet with the right food in order for your skin to reap the rewards. Here are some of my top tips for nourishing your skin…
Eat Organic
The best approach to following a healthy diet to improve your skin is to eat foods that you can grow, hunt or gather. Avoid any processed foods which tend to be high in sugar, salt and preservatives and focus on eating highly nutritious, organic foods like fruit, veg, nuts, oily fish and grass-fed meat. A lovely way to start is by growing your own veg in your garden or herbs in window boxes.
Anti-ageing Greens
Eating plants (mostly raw and mostly green) is an easy way to hydrate every cell in your body – and that keeps your skin plump and moist. If you combine this with lifestyle changes like swapping sun worshiping for an organic fake tan, more sleep and exercise, your skin will begin to glow. As a superfood supplement, try Chlorella. Containing a high concentration of chlorophyll, Chlorella reverses any fine lines and sagging in your skin (not only on your face, on your boobs too - yay!).
Green, leafy organic veggies
Nourish with Fat
I love to pack my diet full of healthy Omega-3 and good fats. I almost always eat a full avocado every day, I use extra virgin olive oil to top salads and fish and use coconut oil for cooking, removing my make-up every night, oil pulling and as a hair mask!
Poached egg on a bed of avocado - full of good fats!
Fake it like the Celebs
As part of my skincare ritual, I rely on wearing an SPF every day (even in the winter) and avoid being exposed to too much sun, especially on my face. As a result, I am not the bronzed goddess that I would like to be, so I rely on self-tanning products to give me the gorgeous glow that I long for. With a celeb following from the likes of Gigi Hidad, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sofia Vergara, I was delighted to get the chance to try Vita Liberata’s non-toxic and organic tanning range. Their pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan is the world’s longest lasting tan (up to 4 times longer than regular tans) and really does pass the test. Not only is it paraben-free, alcohol-free and perfume-free, but it also has anti-ageing properties (!) – So as you tan, your skin is basically getting younger! If you’re used to getting complaints from your bedtime pal about smelling like a hamster eating biscuits every time you fake tan, then this is the cherry-on-top…it doesn’t smell!
Wearing pHenomenal 2-3 week gradual tan by Vita Liberata
Be Smooth
If you want an easy way of squeezing a load of superfoods into your daily routine, a healthy smoothie is a great place to start! There is no better way to kickstart your day than an antioxidant-rich, energising and skin-loving smoothie. Packed with berries, oats and nut milk, this breakfast smoothie will make you feel fuller for longer and will work on giving your skin a fresh and youthful glow – you can’t really ask for much more!
Wearing Body Blur by Vita Liberata
Get-Up-and-Glow Berry Smoothie Bowl
1 ripe banana (high in Potassium which moisturises dehydrated skin)
1 cup almond milk (rich in vitamin K for glowing skin)
1 cup strawberries (prevent wrinkles forming on the skin)
1 cup blueberries (The ultimate super food. They are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which are great for anti-ageing and heart health)
1 tbsp desiccated coconut (for a healthy flavour)
3 tbsp pure oats (great for an energy boost)
Get-Up-and-Glow Smoothie Bowl
Add all ingredients to your Nutribullet (or blender of choice) and blend until smooth and thick. Add to a bowl and serve with your favourite healthy toppings.
Toppings suggestions: Chia seeds (packed with fiber, Omega-3 fats and protein), fruit, nuts & seeds, Matcha and Nasturtiums (edible flowers).
Beautiful skin starts from within!