the whole nut

get that inner & outer glow

March 2nd, 2010

I was in a cab the other day and found myself staring blankly at a billboard for a beauty product that promised to help one’s skin glow. Annoyed, my thought was “yeah, right.” Has it really come to this? Have we all become so… dull? that we need a special potion to make our skin look healthy? When I see products like this I think: we can do better without!

And it’s true–we can! Rather than focusing on the surface, start on the inside. A clean, healthy diet can transform your skin and give you a bright and glowing complexion–naturally. But it makes sense, right? Because if we are what we eat, then it’s the natural, living foods that help give our skin and smiles a shine that no beauty product ever could.

I’m not saying to skip out on skincare products altogether. For the record, I do use a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and eye cream, accompanied by a weekly face mask ritual (always a good time). Instead, I’m suggesting we take a different approach: from the inside out (as I like to say).

Try this: spend less on cosmetics and pricey creams, and more on organic whole foods. Veggies work wonders. It’s true. Awhile back I was in an elevator sipping on my 16oz green juice, when I noticed it caught the eye of a woman standing next to me. She stared at the juice. She stared at me. “Is that how you get your skin to glow like that?” she finally asked. I was both flattered and thrilled by her observation.

Where to start? Focus on key vitamins and minerals in order to achieve clear, youthful skin. Like what? Like vitamins C, E, A, K, and B. Incorporate foods such as leafy greens (like spinach, kale), avocados, bell peppers, broccoli, and asparagus into your diet and you should start to see improvements within weeks. Fruit is a wonderful source of vitamin C (citrus fruits especially), while bananas, oatmeal and rice boost your vitamin B levels, which is vital for toned, hydrated skin.

The essential omega 3 fatty acids is also another micronutrient you’ll want to get plenty of. Try to add in more cold water oily fish to your diet, like salmon, mackerel or herring. I make sure to add ground flax seed into my smoothies, and walnuts are also a great source of this good fat. And drink plenty of water! You’ll want to continue flushing toxins out of your body throughout the day to help reach an alkalized state of cleanliness.

Lastly: pay attention to allergies. A good friend of mine recently discovered that soy products wreaked havoc on her skin. After detoxing her diet of all soy products, she found herself without a single blemish. Amazing! Wheat can also be problematic- many people are allergic to wheat without realizing it. Dairy, too. Experiment with your diet and see what works for you. But above all, remember: processed foods and refined sugars will do the most damage (nutritionally speaking).

Of course that’s not to say there aren’t exceptions. There’s always that girl who has a donut and diet coke every morning, but has the clearest skin around. It happens. But that’s not to say it’ll stick around. I think we’re all familiar with the case of eating or doing as we please until it’s too late (whether that translates to 20 extra pounds or unsightly blemishes). Preventative care, my friends!

We were created perfect. Of course somewhere along the way we became unperfect, but that doesn’t mean we need to cover ourselves up with makeup and cremes. Let your skin work it’s natural magic! I take pride in my diet, no matter how challenging or “different” it may be. I’m worth it–inside and out–and I’m gonna let it shine!

How do you get your skin to look it’s best?

Filed under: Food for Thought

Tags: beauty, blemish, clear skin, complexion, diet, eating healthy, glow, health, healthy skin, nutrition, skin