By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode.com beauty editor
This time of year I am obsessed with two things, food (mmmm…pumpkin pie) and my drive-me-crazy itchy dry skin. In an attempt to combine these two, I discovered a list of yummy foods that will help me get glowing skin while stuffing my face…it’s a win, win!
The experts at www.lifescript.com published a list of 10 complexion-boosting foods that actually sound good. I was expecting suggestions like water (duh) and spoonfuls of olive oil and instead found a list of do-able goodies and useful recipes.
Face Food #1: Avocados
Even though I will not be indulging in this creamy fruit (I claim to be allergic), it is full of essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out.
“Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and avocados contain lots of it. Niacin, an anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need,” according to LifeScript contributor Jennifer Gruenemay.
In addition to your tried and true avocado recipes try blending half an avocado with yogurt and frozen berries to make a creamy, nutty-flavored morning smoothie.
Face Food #2: Mangoes
Another great smoothie ingredient, mangoes have more than 80% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, which maintains and repairs skin cells. Also, as an antioxidant, vitamin A fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin.
Face Food #3: Almonds
I keep a baggie of almonds in the car, for when hunger strikes, to keep myself from pilfering the kids fruit snacks, but I had no idea they provided 150% of my daily need for vitamin E. Vitamin E’s rich oils moisturize dry skin, and its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging.
Face Food #4: Cottage Cheese
This is one food I have avoided in the past, due to an aversion to funky textures, but I am determined to give it another try. The selenium in cottage cheese teams up with vitamin E as a powerful free radical-fighting antioxidant duo. Plus, it’ll protect against skin cancer (WOW!) and fight dandruff, a major cold weather problem for me.
Face Food #5: Acerola Cherries
Since cold weather is death to this delicious fruit, you may have to save this tip for warmer temps or stick to a dried version, but it will be worth the wait. One of these cherries supplies 100% of your daily allowance for vitamin C, which is a boost for your skin and health.
Let me know if you find any Acerola, also known as Barbados or Cereza cherries, because I am dying to try out this recipe (pic at top) from Lifescript: Chocolate-Cherry Cupcakes
Face Food #6: Oysters
You either love ‘em or hate ‘em, but regardless of how you feel, your skin will thank you for the zinc filled delicacy. They fight pimples because they’re rich in zinc. The zinc fights pimples (no more adult acne, please) and boosts elastin with the help of vitamin C.
Face Food #7: Baked Potatoes
Need more elastin? Eat one baked potato (with the skin) to get 75% of your daily copper need, which works with vitamin C and zinc to give you tighter skin.
Face Food #8: Mushrooms
There are a hundred ways to add this fungus to your daily menu. It’s rich in Riboflavin (vitamin B2) helps in tissue maintenance and repair, and especially beneficial if you suffer from rosacea.
Face Food #9: Flaxseed Oil
I know a lot of mom’s who use this additive to enhance their kids PB&J, but I don’t think many have thought of the benefits to themselves. It’s the omega 3s that benefit your skin, and flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of this essential fatty acid. Just one teaspoon per day will hydrate your skin and help unclog pores that lead to unwanted blemishes.
Face Food #10: Wheat Germ
Another sneaky mom trick that we should be using on ourselves: wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that’s crucial to skin health. Without enough biotin you will fall victim to itchy, dry skin.
Sprinkle wheat germ on yogurt for a tasty way to get more biotin in your diet.
Or try these Apricot-Wheat Germ Muffins.
Have a question for Andi, beauty blogger and fellow mama? Andi welcomes yo
ur questions and feedback to Beauty Buzz. E-mail her at mamas@nwaMotherlode.com.
