Eat Your Way To Younger-looking Skin
Most people will be familiar with a variety of food-related myths and the supposed impact different foods have on our bodies. From the childhood misconception that eating carrots can make you see in the dark, to the rumour that coffee stunts your growth. However, while many of these ‘facts’ remain untrue, our diets can have a significant impact on our bodies – especially our skin.
Research from cosmetics innovator Uvence has shown that over 10 million Brits do not think that moisturisers actually help their skin, especially around the eyes, therefore pointing to the scaffolding of our skin and what lies underneath as the answer. While there are other lifestyle factors which play a role, such as stress and sleep, our diets are one of the primary factors behind our skin quality.
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Many of us are guilty of spending extortionate amounts on skincare products and remedies – but topical creams and products can only do so much to help our skin if the problem originates from the inside. Dr Chris Donegan, co-founder of cosmetics innovator Uvence, discusses the four key ways that our diets can help improve the overall quality of our skin:
Moisture: Adult bodies are made up of over 60% water, with our skin alone containing up to 64%. This composition in itself sheds light on how important it is to stay hydrated if we wish to see improvements in our skin. However, whilst drinking water is a clear factor which helps to achieve this, we also get a lot of our water consumption from the foods we eat. Consuming foods with a high water content, such as vegetables like tomato and cucumber, is therefore a good place to start.
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Wrinkles: While our diets will not be able to put a complete stop to the ageing process, there are certain foods we can consume to help slow it down. Research suggests foods which are high in vitamin C can help regenerate skin cells, reduce wrinkles and fight against ultraviolet ageing of your skin when exposed to sunlight. Fruit and vegetables are the best sources for this – make sure you get at least your 5 a day!
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Blemishes: Many of us will be dissatisfied with the success rate of ‘magic spot creams’ and blemish control products. However, lots of people are unaware that making changes to our diets can directly combat breakouts. Cutting down on sugar is a good place to start, as those who suffer with pre-existing skin issues like acne will find that excess sugar can worsen the problem. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to be beneficial for combating acne symptoms, such as fish like salmon, although always in moderation. Those of us who suffer from acne flareups also find that they are heightened during the winter months, so consuming these types of foods is especially important at the moment.
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Ageing: Collagen is often referred to in popular beauty culture as the substance in our skin which prevents ageing and wrinkles. This protein does play a key role in strengthening the skin, also increasing its elasticity and hydration. We produce less collagen as we age which can lead to the formation of wrinkles – but there are some foods which can help stimulate the production. These foods include those high in vitamin C which the body cannot produce itself – citrus fruits such as oranges are a good source of this.
Pic: Shutterstock
Dr Chris Donegan, co-founder of cosmetics innovator Uvence, discusses why we should pay attention to our diets if we wish to see improvements in our skin:
“During lockdown, it has been easy to gradually slip into bad eating habits. But what is often overlooked is how our diets can have a significant impact on the quality of our skin. I’ve noticed that many people during lockdown have been surprised at how much their skin has deteriorated, and a lot of the reasons originate from what we are eating.
Our skin is our largest organ, and is also subject to the most damage as it directly faces the external environment. While externally tending to the skin is therefore important, we should also be looking after our skin from the inside-out, as this is where many skin related issues arise from without us immediately realising.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is one of the primary ways we should be looking after our skin. However, for those of us who are still experiencing skin related issues, Uvence is a naturally based cosmetic treatment which helps to rejuvenate the skin. The treatment harnesses the body’s recuperative potential, as it utilises one’s own cells to help smooth and plump areas which we feel need a helping hand.”
Moira Chisholm
I'm the Health Editor on My Weekly and am always interested to hear what's new in this fascinating field. I also deal with the gardening, shopping pages, general features, our website content and the Ask Helen problem page. I have a special interest in Christmas content because I'm on the team for Your Best Ever Christmas Magazine, too!
