Superfood For Your Skin

healthy food on a heart shape cutting board

There’s no denying that when we end up grabbing salty, processed takeaway food instead of eating a balanced nourishing diet, it shows in our skin. As Dr Sarah Brewer, medical nutritionist explains “the production of new skin cells requires adequate supplies of vitamins and minerals, and deficiency can affect skin quality at any age.” Dullness is the first sign, but an unbalanced tone, sudden breakouts and dark circles can all be symptomatic of bad eating habits too. Everyone can improve their health and the look and feel of their skin, by increasing the amount of nutrient-dense, vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables that they eat. Follow our guide to find the best farm-to-face foods for your skin type.

All Skin Types

Fatty Acids

“Skin requires essential fatty acids to regulate cell function, which are not naturally produced”, explains Dr Dennis Gross, expert dermatologist in New York City and founder of Dr Dennis Gross Skincare, “so eating things like avocado, mackerel, and dairy products on a daily basis can be beneficial. Essential fatty acids maintain a healthy cell membrane that is strong enough to hold in the water and nutrients it needs.”

On Your Skin

Try an enriched daily moisturizer like Aesop Camelia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream. The silky formula is created with cold-pressed macadamia and coconut oils to infuse skin with essential fatty acids.

aesop

Water

One simple way to help your skin from the inside out is too increase your daily water consumption. “A lack of water in the circulatory system leads to less circulation to the skin,” explains Dr Gross. “As a result of this reduced blood flow, the skin receives less nutrients, vitamins and oxygen and it looks dull.” Aim to drink one more glass a day and you should see benefits in your skin tone.

dr gross

On Your Skin

When applied to skin, hyaluronic acid grabs water and holds it, keeping cells hydrated for longer. Rich in HA and coconut water, Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Concentrate Hydration Booster will keep skin moisturised for longer.

For Signs Of Ageing

Tomatoes

Ruby red tomatoes are packed with the extraordinary anti-ageing antioxidant lycopene, which helps prevent damage caused by light. It’s also a carotenoid which means the body can convert it into vitamin A, helping to prevent damage to our DNA. Extra salad please!

On Your Skin

Try Glamglow Volcasmic Matte Moisturiser which helps to calm and fortify the skin barrier with cherry tomato leaf and prickly pear extracts.

glamglow

For Dull Skin

Berries

“Berries are among the most beneficial of fruits”, says Dr Brewer. “They are packed full of minerals, vitamin C and unique anti-ageing antioxidants, and they contain relatively little sugar compared to other fruit.” Plus, the vitamin C they provide helps to boost collagen production and bring radiance to the complexion.

odacite

On Your Skin

Acai berries are packed with antioxidants, amino acids, fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Boost your skin’s luminosity with Odacité Ac+R Youthful Glow Serum Concentrate which contains cold-pressed acai berries.

For Oily Skin

Carrots

The humble carrot is an amazing skin superfood, as it contains high levels of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body, and can help to level out oil production in the skin. They’re also rich in vitamin C which works to neutralise damaging free radicals and brighten skin.

On Your Skin

Try Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser which contains carrot oil to help stimulate collagen, plus antiseptic clove oil and exfoliating papaya fruit enzyme – ideal for calming and balancing oilier skin.

eve lommt

For Dry Skin

Avocado

Load up on avocado on toast and enjoy a rich boost of vitamin E and essential fatty acids to help combat dry skin from the inside out. “Avocado oil contains hormone-like phytosterols that have a regenerative effect on ageing skin” says Dr Brewer. Plus, the healthy oils present in avocado also help to improve barrier function, preventing skin from quickly losing moisture.

emma hard

On Your Skin

Marine and botanical extracts combine with avocado extracts in Emma Hardie’s Amazing Face Age Support Face Cream – to replenish and deeply nourish dry skin.

For Eyes

Spinach

Deep green spinach provides a variety of skin-boosting nutrients including vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Crucially, it also contains lutein which absorbs UV blue light and helps maintain eye health, plus vitamin K which works to improve circulation – one of the leading causes of dark circles.

On Your Skin

Enriched with vitamin K to help improve the look of dark circles, Clark’s Botanicals Anti-Puff Eye Cream also contains vitamin A and E to smooth and de-puff.

clarks

Dr Sarah Brewer’s new book Eat Well, Look Great which contains detailed information on skin superfood will be published on 1st January 2018.