7 Best Beauty Foods
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March 18, 2021
Dieting can be such a drag, but for a lot of us it is a must, especially during the warmer months of the year. But what if these healthy foods also benefited our complexion? Here are 7 foods that do just that.
Avocado: You have most likely heard about avocado face masks and the nutritional benefits of avocados, right? Here’s why: this food is full of essential oils and B-complex vitamins that are not only good for your health, but also help reduce redness and inflammation. The oils also moisturize dry skin. Cut one in half and use one half for your face and the other for your salad!
Use this face mask recipe from Life Script for a clearer, more even skin tone.
Slather It On!
You don’t have to eat these 10 foods to nourish your complexion. Some make for great facial masks too.Try this avocado mask to instantly moisturize your skin:
1. Mash one whole avocado.
2. Add 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil and 1 teaspoon honey.
3. Mix together until smooth and creamy.
4. Apply to face and let sit for 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse clean with warm water.
Almonds: These nuts are very filling and high in Vitamin E as well as antioxidants. Choose this as your snack (just a handful) and you won’t find yourself craving a donut in an hour. The vitamins and antioxidants serve as great nutrients for your blood health and cholesterol levels, as well as your digestive system. And the benefits don’t stop there; almonds also smooth and soften your skin for a youthful, healthy glow.
Honey: The health benefits of honey are so numerous that they may outweigh any other health food. The sweet food is a wonderful natural source of energy (maybe why bees are always so “busy?”) and also provides a ton of strength for that trusty immune system. Honey naturally attracts and retains moisture, making it a great facial for people with drier skin.
Try this recipe from HubPages.
Natural Honey-Lemon Facial Scrub
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons of sugar
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face (careful not to get it in your eyes), neck and chest using a gentle, circular motions. After massaging the honey and lemon scrub into your skin for 60 seconds, rinse it off with warm water and blot your face dry with a clean towel. Follow the honey and lemon facial scrub with your favorite moisturizer.
*Read a whole post from another blogger on the amazing benefits of honey here.
Cottage Cheese: Switch out ricotta for this cheese in your next recipe. This delicious dairy products has the taste of cheese, but the calorie count of a vegetable. Undoubtedly the healthiest and least fattening cheese option, cottage cheese also has a high concentration of selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that works mainly against the damages of the sun, which we all know includes redness and wrinkles. Load up on selenium and your skin will be smoother and clearer in no time–it can even reverse already sun damaged skin.
Berries: Sweet fruits like blackberries, blueberries and strawberries are packed tight with loads of antioxidants, which are essential for lowering cancer risks and building up a strong immune system. These high levels of anti oxidants protect skin from the sun and other natural forces of erosion, resulting in younger looking skin and slower aging of the skin.
Spinach: This leafy green packs loads of nutriuents in little calories. According to Livestrong, a one cup serving contains only 40 calories, but 160mg of Omega 3s–10% of the daily recommended amount. Swap lettuce for spinach in your salads and sandwiches and you’re well on your way to a better diet. Omega 3 has other functions too; studies have shown that it firms skin, reducing and preventing wrinkles.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is always the better choice when given the option of that or butter. The natural oil is high in fat, but the fats are monounsaturated fatty acids (the good kind). It has also been proven to lower heart disease risk and high cholesterol problems. But the oil is also high in calories, so it is important to only use small amounts. A big part of good health is making the right choices and olive oil is usually the right choice.
The beauty uses for olive oil is almost endless. This natural ingredient can be used for skin, hair, nails, makeup remover and the list goes on! Here are a few of my favorite uses:
- Skin: Use evoo as a moisturizerby mixing it with a little bit of water and spreading a light layer across the face. Use lemon juice for a crisper feeling. Or run a bath with a dash of the oil to moisturize all over.
- Mix the olive oil with sea salt and use it as an exfoliator. The oil makes sure not to dry out skin while the sea salt crystals scrub off old skin cells.
- Use it as an eye makeup remover as well. Not only will the gentle oil not cause irritation, but if eye wrinkles are a concern, olive oil helps smooth them out.
- Hair: The key to this is to massage equal parts olive oil and water on your scalp before shampooing. This nourishes your hair making it stronger and shinier. It also helps combat dandruff.
- Nails: Olive oil has a similar effect of nails. Simply drip oil on your nails and let it absorb. Your nails and cuticles will appear healthier and more moisturized.
Choose these healthy foods over your other options this spring and summer and store a little extra to use unconventionally. A little creativity can go a long way when it comes to your health. It’s time to look forward to a wonderful and confident bikini season!
WithLoveShmon
April 10, 2012 @ 5:19 pm
amazing post! I love avocados. nomnom!
withloveshmon.wordpress.com
lushtoblush
April 10, 2012 @ 6:49 pm
Thanks!! I love hearing that yummy, healthy foods have an extra benefit! 🙂
Mary Selah
October 8, 2012 @ 2:47 pm
This is so cool, because I am getting more and more into using natural products for beauty enhancers.
Megan
October 9, 2012 @ 12:34 am
Same here! I love double duty foods 🙂