Avoid overpriced, magic skin creams by eating your way to beautiful skin

Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder noted that stress, dehydration and poor diet can greatly affect the quality of the skin, which may prove challenging to address even for the most expensive skin care products. In an article published in LATimes.com, Snyder shared six of her favorite dietary regimen to achieve younger, better looking skin.

1. Lemon and water – According to the celebrity nutritionist, infusing half a lemon with a cup of warm water first thing in the morning is an excellent way to stay hydrated. This also provides the body its much needed vitamin C boost. Snyder also says that enzymes found in lemon promote healthier liver function, which in turn reduces acne and patchy skin.
2. Hemp and chia seeds – Snyder says both seeds contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy blood circulation. In turn, the body delivers more nutrients and oxygen to the skin. According to Snyder, both seeds are excellent sources of tryptophan, a compound that promotes good sleep. Incorporating the seeds to your diet may result in brighter, more youthful skin.
3. More colorful salad – The celebrity nutritionists suggests eating more varied salads by adding more colorful ingredients such as red cabbage and sweet potato. According to Snyder, red cabbage contains more vitamin C than oranges. Red cabbage is also high in essential minerals and fiber. On the other hand, sweet potato is an excellent source of beta-carotene, antioxidants, and anti-cancer compounds. The health expert also recommends adding astringent vegetables such as radishes and healthy fats such as avocado.
4. Eat more pineapple – According to Snyder, pineapple is an excellent source of bromelain, which facilitates wound healing. Pineapples are known to keep inflammation at bay, and are especially beneficial in reducing eye bags and promoting good digestion.
5. Rose water skin toner – Making a toner by infusing steamed rose petals and water is especially ideal for warm, dry climate. According to Snyder, this infusion hydrates the skin, balances its pH levels and reduces inflammation.
6. Oil massage before showering – Snyder recommends massaging the body and the scalp before showering to relieve stress. According to the celebrity nutritionist, stress relief is the primary anti-aging regimen of Ayurveda medicine practitioners. Snyder says self-oil massage helps moisturize and detoxify the skin simultaneously.

The skin care market is fast becoming one of the most prolific avenues in the personal care industry. In fact, the anti-aging skin care market in the U.S. was valued at $2.3 billion in 2011 alone. The market has also shown substantial increase over the last few years, thanks largely to the growing number of women who try different products and services to keep the effects of aging in check. In addition, data from a Mintel survey showed that 37 percent of American women used anti-aging creams and serums for the face, compared with only 23 percent of women in the U.K. and 24 percent of the female population in France. This was also significantly higher than 25 percent of women in Germany and 26 percent of women in Spain.

However, recent studies have found that skin care products sold in the market today may contain traces of toxic chemicals — such as steroids, hydroquinone and tretinoin — that may trigger long-term, life threatening side effects such as skin cancer, liver damage, and mercury poisoning. Despite this, more women are using potentially harmful skin care products as various factors like stress, poor diet, and dehydration take a toll on the skin’s condition.  However, Snyder assures that making small changes in daily activities and food intake could improve the radiance and clarity of the skin.

Sources include: 

LATimes.com

Mintel.com

DailyMail.co.uk