Can you eat your way to youthful skin?

Often in these blogs, we talk about all the things you can do topically to turn back the hands of time for your skin. But tonight, we’re taking a look at whether you can work the same magic from the inside, out.

The connection between our diet and our complexion has now been studied for decades and although there isn’t a standard ‘anti-ageing’ meal plan as of yet, there is a whole heap of research that can help us look, and most importantly, feel our best.

So, let’s take a look at what we should be piling onto our plates and what may be doing more harm than good…

The first diet must-have for youthful skin is my beloved Vitamin C, which has the power to both prevent and correct signs of ageing. Just as we use it throughout The 5 Minute Kit to turbo-charge your collagen levels, eating this incredible ingredient is also proven to have exceptional benefits.

It’s job is to protect your skin from damage caused by the external environment, meaning it maintains your skin’s bounce and elasticity. Foods such as citrus fruits, peppers and strawberries are packed full of it, but perhaps my favourite source is the humble tube of tomato purée.

Not only is it packed with highly concentrated Vitamin C, but tomato purée also contains a wondrous component called ‘lycopene’. New studies are showing that lycopene has the ability to reduce sun damage which we know is responsible for up to 90% of wrinkles! This means ingesting it is a little like applying your Sunbeam Cream on the inside as well as the out…So, don’t hold back next time you’re making a spag bol 😉

The other thing we need to do both internally and externally is moisturise. As we age, our natural oil production begins to decline, so replacing the lost hydration is essential to keep you glowing. Topically, this is where your One Cream Wonder comes in, but enriching your diet with healthy fats and Omega 3 will also help to keep your skin soft and supple.

Ingredients such as salmon, avocados, nuts and a good glug of olive oil are incredible sources and as a bonus, they’re highly anti inflammatory too. This means if you struggle with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or even spots, these foods can help reduce the inflammatory response within your body and soothe your skin.

But whilst all these things can be added to the menu in abundance, there is one thing we need to be mindful of…Sugar. I personally have the sweetest tooth of all time, however I do my very best to keep it in check as it causes a process called ‘glycation’ within your body - A major culprit of premature ageing.

When sugar enters your bloodstream it attaches itself to proteins and forms harmful molecules known as ‘advanced glycation end products’…But just to rub it in, they’re known as AGEs for short 🙈 These AGEs damage your collagen and elastin fibres and cause your skin to lose firmness and elasticity much earlier than anticipated.

With that being said, although sugar may not be a skin food, for many of us, it’s certainly soul food. So enjoying it in moderation as part of a healthy diet is totally acceptable and I’ll certainly still be having a little dessert after our roast dinner this evening!

Of course it’s impossible for our diet alone to determine how our skin ages, which is why I stick to my 5 minute routine so religiously. But fuelling your body with nutritious food isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good too. And people who are thriving on the inside as well as the out, always have the glow of all glows ✨