It rightly said that you are what you eat, so it is important to nourish your skin through good food because beautiful skin starts from a cellular level. Genetics and lifestyle habits play a role to determine your skin health.
Include:
- Turmeric: The curcumin present in turmeric has great free-radical fighting and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Walnuts: It is a good source of healthy fats like omega - 3 fatty acids which protect our skin and prevents it from damage.
- Eat 5 portions of vegetables and fruit every day: They contain powerful antioxidants that help to protect our skin from cellular damage caused by smoking, free radicals, sunlight and pollution.
- Cooked Tomatoes: Lycopene is a phytochemical that helps to boost the production of collagen which is required to maintain the youthfulness and elasticity of the skin.
- Almonds: It is a great source of vitamin E, which works as an antioxidant to keep your body free from the damage of free radicals.
- Eat enough vitamin E: This vitamin protects our skin from oxidative damage and supports skin growth. Include almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower and pine nuts to your diet.
- Carrots: They are a great source of vitamin A and beta carotene which help to stop the overproduction of cells in the outer layer of the skin. It means that less dead cells combine with the sebum and clog pores. They also help to reduce the development of skin cancer cells.
- Eat Enough Vitamin C: It is a great antioxidant that helps to promote radiant skin, supports the immune system and helps blemishes to heal. It also helps in collagen production that is responsible for providing the youthfulness and elasticity of our skin, including broccoli, kiwi, oranges, guava, sweet potatoes and strawberries.
- Green Tea: It contains antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties and helps to keep your skin glowing.
- Avoid any kind of crash diet: Quick weight loss or weight gain can have negative effects on your skin and cause stretch marks, wrinkles and sagging. Any kind of crash diet is linked to low intake of vitamin and minerals, which reflects poorly on your skin. So focus on eating a balanced diet and nutrient-dense whole foods.
- Focus on your selenium intake: Selenium is a great antioxidant. It works great with antioxidants like vitamin C and E to support our immune system. Selenium protects our skin from sun damage, cancer and age spots. Good sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, eggs, fish, tomatoes, broccoli and wheatgerm.
- To avoid any kind of acne issues cut back on hydrogenated fats and processed foods.
As people across the country are required to wear a face mask in public to overcome the spread of COVID-19, many individuals with sensitive skin are facing acne and skin issues related to wearing a mask for long hours.
Wearing a mask imposes friction, heat and occlusion on the skin and when combined with a moist environment from sweating, talking and breathing results in breakouts. Sweat and heat cause itchy and dry skin problems.
Follow these tips to prevent clogging of pores and acne caused by wearing a face mask :
- Wash your face: Use a gentle fragrance and oil-free cleanser to rinse your face. It will help prevent trapping of oil and dirt on your skin and inhibit breakouts.
- Don’t forget to apply a moisturiser: It helps to keep your skin hydrated and acts as a barrier between your mask and your face, which helps to reduce friction.
- Avoid using makeup: If you use makeup under the mask, then it can cause clogged pores and lead to breakouts.
- Wash your mask: If you use a cotton mask, it is very important to wash it after every use because its surface contains oil and dirt. It becomes a breeding environment for bacteria from your mouth and nose.
- Select a fragrance-free detergent: Don’t use the fabric softener and stay away from fragrant detergents to wash your mask as they can cause skin irritation and lead to breakouts.
