Do you ever notice the way your skin looks after a night of drinking margaritas or eating junk food? You look into the mirror and staring back at you are those dark hues circling your eyes and premature wrinkles that seem to have appeared overnight. This is because your skin is a reflection of what is going on inside your body. So try our clear skin diet.
Let’s first start with a list of foods that harm your skin.
Foods to Avoid
- Refined sugar: sugar spikes the blood, which causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and skin elasticity, resulting in acne and even premature wrinkles.
- Processed, packaged, fried foods: these foods are cooked in hydrogenated fats and have a high glycemic index, which can trigger and aggravate acne. Processed foods — like drive-through and packaged foods are quickly broken down into sugar, which spikes the blood with insulin, which can lead to clogged pores, and ultimately those dreaded pimples.Â
- Excessive caffeine: drinking coffee in excess — typically more than 16 oz a day, magnifies your body’s stress response. This means it makes your adrenal glands overreact to stressful events by pumping out the hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine into your bloodstream, which spike your insulin blood level, discussed previously. Don’t shoot the messenger! Just cut back on the coffee and swap out for options like green tea.
- Alcohol: dehydrates the skin, not to mention the sugar in mixed drinks that await to wreck your complexion. Cut back on alcohol. When you do drink, stick to 1-2 small glasses of red wine for the antioxidants.
- Smoking: depletes your skin of vitamin C, which reduces your skin’s ability to defend itself against ultraviolet rays. It reduces blood flow, which means your skin is suffocating up to 90 minutes after you smoke. Cut the habit. Smoking is so last century, anyway.
The Clean Skin Diet
- Almonds: contain the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps prevent cell damage. They are also rich in proteins that help hydrate and soften the skin.
- Sunflower seeds: contain essential fatty acids that boost the production of collagen in the skin, which can help fight acne and wrinkles.
- Vitamin C: berries, tomatoes, carrots, and citrus are all fighters of free radicals and boost skin collagen. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C, as well as applying them directly to your skin is a great way to reap their benefits.
Tip: mix together ½ fresh squeezed grapefruit juice with ¼ cup of granulated sugar and   gently massage it into your face. Let sit for 5 minutes, rinse, and moisturize face, neck, and chest with 100% vitamin E oil. Your skin will thank you.
- Peppers: also being rich in vitamin E help with repairing collagen in the skin, giving a vibrant glow in your complexion.
- Leafy greens: like kale and spinach contain the vitamins A, C, E, all of which are collagen repairing and promote new cell growth. They’re also loaded with minerals — like magnesium and calcium, which the skin needs.
- Protein: collagen is a tissue that binds together the cells in your skin, and is made of protein. When your diet is void of plenty of protein, your skin doesn’t have the nutrients to give that ample, healthy glow. Eat lean protein in every meal — like chicken, eggs, whey or plant based protein shakes, etc.
- Coconut oil: helps the skin retain moisture, and can be ideal for those who suffer from dry skin. Gently massage a small amount into your face as a moisturizer.
- Water: it’s the body’s life force. Your blood and organs turn to your skin for water, which can leave it looking dry and irritated if you’re not supplying yourself with plenty of it. Keep a full water bottle with you always.
Don’t wait to start making these changes in your diet. Start today, and remember, finding ways to cope with stress and anxiety is as important as your diet, itself. Not all beauty problems can be solved with a clear skin diet.
Take 20 minutes each day to yourself, whether that’s practicing a short yoga sequence, lying still and taking deep, rhythmic inhales and exhales, or sitting with a good book and a cup of herbal tea. Finding moments of peace each day are key to allowing your brain to drift away from the constant worries of your life. Use the mio Liquid Yoga Space Spray and Candle to really help find zen.