You can use the most "popular" products on the market and spend thousands of dollars. Companies with unlimited advertising budgets tell us how to clear up blemishes, erase fine lines and wrinkles, and give your skin a more glowing, youthful appearance. However, if you don't also consider the internal processes that damage skin, you'll be wasting your time and money.

 

The real problem with skin isn't that you haven't found the magic fountain of youth products. Most of us are plagued by oxidative stress, inflammation, and toxic overload.

 Every day, your skin has to combat toxins and stress from: 

• Toxins in makeup and beauty products
• Air pollution
• Traffic exhaust
• Pesticides
• Heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium)
• Fluoride and chlorine in your shower water
• EMFs (from electronics, computers, WiFi, etc.)
• Plasticizers and components of plastic (like phthalates and BPA)
• Mold and fungus

 These toxins assault your body and lodge themselves in your cells. You may not see the damage to your liver and kidneys, but your skin can keep no secrets, it's there for the world to see. Unfortunately, these toxins are everywhere in our environment, slowly accumulating in your body and causing damage to your skin.

Dr. Wendy Myers is a world-renowned expert in heavy metal detox. She explains it this way: "Heavy metals in everything from your drinking water to your food to the air you breathe target your skin. Heavy metals in your skin cells result in issues like eczema, redness, dryness, and inflammation.

But metals aren't the only toxin you need to watch out for. Other potent sources of oxidative stress, known as the leading cause of aging, are air pollution and pesticides. When your skin is hit with reactive oxygen species from these toxins, the oxidative damage can impact mitochondrial function and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Your skin's ECM is vital for the structure of your skin, acting as a scaffolding to keep things looking tight and healthy."

Skin health detox must have three crucial components suggested by Dr. Myers:

#1 Nutrients that support your body's detoxification processes

#2 Antioxidants to combat oxidative stress

#3 Nutrients that support skin health

 

 

Learn more from Dr Myers. I highly recommend her website here.

I believe that true beauty starts from within. My journey in advocating for vibrant health has taught me an invaluable lesson: the food choices we make each day play a crucial role in the health and appearance of our skin.

Imagine your skin as a canvas and the foods you consume as paintbrushes. Just as a skilled artist carefully selects their tools to create a masterpiece, you have the power to craft radiant, glowing skin through mindful nutrition. 

Here 5 of the top foods for healthy skin:

Avocado

This creamy fruit isn't just delicious; it's also a skincare superstar. Avocados are packed with healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fats, which help keep your skin hydrated and nourished from within. Additionally, they contain vitamins E and C - powerful antioxidants that protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals and promote collagen production for a youthful complexion. These compounds may soothe inflammation and promote skin elasticity, making them beneficial for conditions like dry skin, eczema, and acne. 

Salmon

Want to give your skin a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids? Look no further than salmon. This fatty fish is a fantastic source of EPA and DHA, omega-3 fats that help maintain the skin's lipid barrier, keeping moisture in and irritants out. Omega-3s also possess anti-inflammatory properties, benefitting conditions like acne and eczema and supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier. Salmon is also rich in protein, crucial for skin repair and regeneration.

Berries

Berries are bursting with skin-loving nutrients, whether it's strawberries, blueberries, blackcurrant, cherry, aronia, or raspberries.

Berries are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C and polyphenols, which help fight oxidative stress and inflammation. They also help protect our skin from UV damage and contain compounds like anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which may promote collagen production, skin elasticity, and overall skin health. Incorporate a variety of berries into your diet for a delicious and nutritious way to support glowing skin. My favorite way to eat berries is with yogurt or in berry smoothies.

Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a flavorful addition to any diet and offer many benefits for your skin. Firstly, they're loaded with beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which plays a vital role in skin health. Vitamin A helps regulate skin cell turnover, promote the growth of new skin cells, and support the skin's protective barrier. Sweet potatoes also may help improve our skin texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

 Green Tea

Green tea has earned its reputation as a health elixir, and its benefits also extend to skin health. It's rich in polyphenols, particularly catechins, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking green tea may help reduce redness and inflammation and even improve acne-prone skin. Some studies suggest that green tea extract can also help improve skin elasticity and hydration.

 

True beauty starts with vibrant health; these skin-loving foods are your ticket to a radiant complexion. Try incorporating them into your diet, and let us know the changes you see in your skin.

Viktoriya