With everyone hunkered down and transitioning to self-tapes only, there is one thing you may have forgotten while in quarantine. Your on-camera glow! While some of us may not have this worry, getting glowing skin can be a challenge for many others. This time is one of the best times to get your skin back on track and be ready for your close-up. Read below for tips to help your skin glow-up. Say goodbye to…
Sugary, refined foods No surprise here but when we consume foods like sugary drinks, sweets, processed foods, and white bread that rank higher on the Glycemic Index (a measure of how quickly a particular food raises blood sugar), our blood sugar rises so rapidly that we get a surge of insulin, insulin-like compounds, and an increase in androgens (male sex hormones, present in both men and women).
Dairy There is a big connection between dairy consumption and breakouts. One theory is that cow’s milk contains an insulin-like compound that promotes excessive growth and inflammation in the body. Try eliminating dairy for two weeks and see if you notice a difference in your skin. Tip: Read the label! Bread, cereal, even salad dressings often have added dairy, so look for words like milk ingredients, casein, whey, and lactose, all of which are dairy.
Fried foods Again, not a huge surprise. Fried foods contribute to inflammation in the body and as acne is an inflammatory condition, we want to eliminate as many inflammatory foods as possible. Say hello to…
Salmon, sardines, and anchovies These foods are rich in omega-3, an essential fatty acid that helps decrease not only inflammation but also the compounds that contribute to excessive growth in cells. If you’re not a fan of eating fish, supplement daily with a good quality fish oil.
Fermented foods Foods like miso sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, and kombucha are rich in the live, good bacteria that play an important role in our bodies. There have been numerous studies done on how the bacteria in our gut affect aspects of our body from the brain to the skin. Probiotics (good bacteria) help reduce inflammation in the gut, thereby reducing inflammation in the skin. (Yogurt is also considered a fermented food, but if you are cutting out dairy, best avoid it.) If you don’t like the sound—or taste—of fermented foods, take baby steps. Visit your local health food store for a daily probiotic pill instead.
Pumpkin seeds (or oysters) Both pumpkin seeds and oysters contain zinc, a mineral necessary for optimal skin health. It’s anti-inflammatory in itself and promotes wound healing. (Who doesn’t want faster-zit recovery?!) Other good sources of zinc include liver, sesame seeds, and spinach. Finally, it should go without saying but make sure you are getting lots of water, fresh vegetables, and fruit to achieve the best possible glow-up.
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