The winter harshness is continuing in some parts of the country, including Shillong. Cold, harsh weather and low humidity levels can lead to dryness, dullness and irritation.
Our skin needs extra care to stay hydrated and healthy, so it’s important to eat food that will nourish and protect it in this weather. While creams and serums act on the outside, what you eat has a direct impact on your skin’s appearance.
Did you know what you eat can make a difference in your skin?
A healthy diet plays a vital role in this process by providing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that support skin health. It can help combat dryness, reduce inflammation and promote collagen production, which is necessary for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that offer numerous health benefits and including them in your meals can help maintain a glowing complexion throughout the colder months.
Eating lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables along with heart-healthy fats from fish, seeds, and nuts can keep your skin soft and supple.
Certain nutrient-rich foods like spinach, beetroots and carrots are loaded with vitamins and minerals that help boost collagen production in your body. These help your skin become firmer and youthful.
Spinach: Spinach and other leafy greens are full of a variety of nutrients that help improve the appearance of your skin. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K, all of which play crucial roles in skin health.
Vitamin A promotes cell turnover and collagen production, while Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors. Vitamin K, on the other hand, can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness.
Drinking spinach juice is a popular way to get a concentrated dose of spinach’s health benefits. One cup (240 ml) of spinach juice also contains about 38% of the DV for Vitamin C, an essential water-soluble vitamin that doubles as an antioxidant. Vitamin C protects your skin against oxidative stress, inflammation, and skin damage, all of which can accelerate signs of ageing.
Fresh spinach juice made with apple is known for its cleansing abilities as it purifies the blood and eliminates accumulated toxins from the cells. It also helps to regenerate and rebuild the body.
Spinach is a good source of dietary fibre, which can help to promote healthy digestion, and in turn, support clear, radiant skin. Spinach contains lots of iron, an element of the haemoglobin protein that helps deliver oxygen to your cells. When your foods contain the right amount of iron, it can reduce the look of pale, dull skin.
Beetroot: The pinkish root vegetable is packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Beetroot offers fabulous benefits for your skin by tackling everything from wrinkles and pimples to dark spots and dullness.
Make a beetroot thick paste. Add some aloe vera gel and mix it gently. Apply this paste for 30 minutes and rinse it with cold water. It is beneficial for dry skin.
If you have oily skin, then you may apply a beetroot face mask. Take two tablespoons of beetroot powder, a tablespoon of Multani mitti and two tablespoons of rose water. Make a paste. Apply this paste and leave it until it gets dried up completely and wash it with cold water.
Beetroot juice is rich in iron, folate and Vitamin C which can give skin a rosy, radiant glow. It helps purify the blood and eliminate toxins, resulting in brighter, more even-toned skin with fewer blemishes.
Carrot: A beauty trend gaining popularity on TikTok, dubbed the ‘carrot tan’, claims eating three carrots a day will give you a natural tan. India usually sees orange carrots in summer and red carrots in winter.
In addition to their sweet flavour and satisfying crunch, carrots are packed with beta-carotene, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Carrot is the ultimate skincare superhero.
Carrots are a powerhouse of nutrients that can benefit your skin in numerous ways.
The vitamins and antioxidants present in carrots promote cell regeneration, which can help to improve your skin’s tone and texture.
The antioxidants found in carrots, particularly beta-carotene, play a significant role in skin health. The beta-carotene in carrots is converted into Vitamin A in your body which promotes firm, elastic and healthy skin.
The Vitamin C present in carrots aids in collagen production, a vital component for maintaining skin elasticity.
The phenolic compounds called umbelliferous found in carrot juice benefit the skin by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation in the skin and promoting antioxidant activity while providing added UV protection.
Blueberries: Blueberries are small, sweet and highly nutritious. These tiny berries contain antioxidants which help in the formation of collagen, promote younger-looking skin and keep the skin moisturised.
Blueberries are high in natural sugars and are classified as a superfood due to their contents, such as antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and dietary fibre.
Blueberries are known for their disease-fighting properties. It can be helpful for the skin and make you glow from the inside out when you eat raw fruits, cooked fruit, their juice or pulp.
The vitamins and antioxidants in blueberries help fight the damage caused by environmental pollution. The pull-down and lifeless skin restores a nourishing natural glow.
Blueberry face mask is a match made in heaven for your skin. It will check premature ageing and keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. They are super-rich in antioxidants, replenishing your skin with all its vitals.
Take 3/4 strawberries, 5-6 blueberries,1/2 avocado and a few drops of lemon juice. Mash all ingredients together until you get a smooth paste. Apply liberally on the face avoiding your eye area. Leave for up to 30 minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water. This face mask is suited for all types of skin.
The best way to add this fruit is to make a face mask with yoghurt. Take two tablespoons of dried Goji berries, one tablespoon each of plain yoghurt (unsweetened) and honey and 1-2 tablespoons of oatmeal flour. Soak the Goji berries in warm water for a few minutes. Blend or mash all ingredients until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mask on a clean face and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. It is best suited for normal skin.
For youthful skin, take 6-7 blueberries, half a teaspoon of olive oil, one tablespoon of Multani mitti and a teaspoon of honey. Blend all these ingredients to form a thick paste. Apply this paste on your face. Leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat once a week for best results.
