We all want great skin and a gorgeous face, but who wants to shell out the big bucks for top-dollar products? Thankfully, natural beauty (and great skin) is close at-hand—as close as the kitchen, in fact! Many foods commonly found in the pantry are brimming with nutrients beneficial for skin. So next time your skin feels dry or those wrinkles look too deep, raid your pantry for these seven skin-improving foods.
7 Foods for Skin
Turmeric
Prized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent effects (among other health benefits), turmeric is great for skin. In Asia, turmeric is used in natural beauty treatments to tighten skin and reduce inflammation. Try turmeric for yourself by mixing this herb with flour and water to make a paste. Rub the paste on your skin while in the shower, then rinse off.
Avocados can help lock in moisture on skin. Photo By Jon Chiang/Flickr.
Avocado
Avocados are loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats that can help stimulate production of our skin’s own natural oils, help lock in moisture, reduce inflammation and heal skin issues. Take advantage of the goodness in avocado with this two-ingredient Avocado Facial Mask recipe, Tropical Body Polish recipe, or Lavender-Avocado-Honey Mask recipe.
Honey
A natural humectant, honey can attract and trap in moisture for softer skin. Honey also possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial powers, making it a great treatment for cuts, scrapes and burns. To use its natural healing powers, apply just enough quality honey (we recommend unpasteurized and from a local, trusted source) to cover the wound, then cover with a bandage. Change daily. To take advantage of its skin-renewing powers, try these five easy honey-based beauty recipes, from a honey cleanser to a smooth-skin treatment.
Yogurt
A natural source of lactic acid, yogurt can help refine pores and exfoliate rough skin while calming and moisturizing. And unlike other exfoliants, yogurt is suitable for even sensitive skin. Yogurt also contains protein that makes the skin firmer and more resistant to wrinkles. Try this moisturizing yogurt mask.
Tighten aging skin with a homemade mask made from fresh carrots. Photo By Shutterstock.
Carrots
Carrots aren’t just good for your eyes. Thanks to its treasure trove of vitamins A, B and C, carrots are also beneficial for your skin. When used topically, carrots can provide tightening, anti-aging effects, helping to restore skin’s elasticity and reduce inflammation. To take advantage of this root vegetable’s beauty benefits, try this Vita-Carrot Anti-Aging Mask recipe.
Olive Oil
Oil works wonders for skin, but many beauty oils can cost a pretty penny. Instead of spending lots on expensive oils like argan, turn to your cupboard for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in vitamins K and E, which can help reduce dark circles and protect skin from photoaging. Olive oil can be used as a nightly moisturizing treatment—just spread a few drops over your skin (olive oil is so thick that a little will go a long ways). You can also use olive oil to remove makeup, condition hair and moisturize cuticles, among other beauty uses.
Vinegar
Because it effectively removes soap residue from skin and hair, rinsing with vinegar is a great way to get rid of shampoo buildup—not to mention leave your hair shiny and soft. Another perk of rinsing with vinegar: its acidity can help kill the bacteria that cause dandruff. Always dilute vinegar before using—one tablespoon of vinegar to one cup of water should do the trick. To take advantage of vinegar’s beauty benefits, check out this collection of herbal vinegar treatments, from a hair-softening rinse to a soothing foot soak.
