Healthy Fruits for Healthy Skin
When it comes to matters of the skin, there are numerous ways to take care of it. You shouldn’t only pay attention to the things you use directly on your skin.
It’s no surprise that some people complain of their skin not being responsive to products because to really care for your skin, it takes focusing on the outward and inward consumption.
The importance of healthy food to your skin cannot be over emphasized. Your skin reflects your diet, so when you mostly consume junk, it’s easier to have a dull skin. When we talk of healthy foods, a huge aspect of it involves fruits.
The best thing about fruits is that they promote skin health both when they are consumed and when applied to the skin. What a way to kill two birds with one stone! Fruits provide vitamins that rejuvenate the skin and keep it glowing; they nourish the skin with minerals and possess properties which keep the skin healthy and hydrated.
A few of the fruits to add to your daily intake include:
Banana
This yummy easy to peel fruit is highly moisturizing and helps rejuvenate dry skin. It is loaded with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It is rich in dietary fibre and promotes digestion, which also promotes good skin. Bananas contain folate and various minerals. They also contain Vitamin A, C, K and E.
Banana peels are also healthy for the skin, so you might want to reconsider throwing that peel away. Bananas can be consumed as a smoothie, a snack, or can be added to cereal, oat and fruit salad. They can be used to make bread and other desserts.
Bananas can be mashed and applied to your skin for 10-15 minutes to give you that soft and hydrated baby glow.
You can also massage the inward part of the peel on your skin and leave for a few minutes for instant glow
Water Melon
As the name implies, water melon is highly rich in fibre and water. This fruit is made up of 92% water, enough to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Water Melon contains Vitamin A, B1, B6 which maintains an even skin texture, Vitamin C which reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and Lycopene which prevents tissue damage in your skin.
Water Melon can be added to salads and smoothies and its juice can be taken in the morning.
For oily skin, it can be mixed with lemon juice and rosewater, applied to the skin for 10 minutes and rinsed off with warm water.
For dry skin, it can be mixed with lemon juice, honey and aloe vera gel, applied to the skin for 10-15 minutes and rinsed off.
Avocado
Avocados contain vitamins A, C, K, B3 and B6. They contain lutein and zeaxanthin which protects the skin against UV induced damage. Avocados make wound-healing process quicker and promote skin firmness and tightness. It contains anti-inflammatory properties which reduce oxidative stress and prevents skin damage.
Avocados can be added to salad and smoothies, or can be used to make its own smoothie. Mashed avocado can be applied to your skin for about 10 minutes and rinsed off. Milk and honey can also be added to mashed avocado to form a paste, applied to the face for about 30mins and rinsed off with warm water, for softer skin.
Mango
Although mangoes are not always rampant, they are one of the most sought after fruits, for consumption and skin use. Mangoes have wound healing properties which keep the skin scar free. Mangoes are filled with Vitamin A, E and C and are very essential in the elimination of fine lines and acne marks. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties which help control acne. Mangoes generally refresh the skin and keep it glowing.
Mangoes can be taken as a snack in the morning or drank as a smoothie.
Mangoes can be mixed with lime and rose water, applied to your skin for 10 minutes and rinsed off with warm water.
Mangoes can also be mixed with yoghurt and honey, applied to your skin for 10 minutes and rinsed off, to prevent dry skin.
Orange
When it comes to skin care, Vitamin C is a huge deal as it aids collagen production which promotes skin firmness and reduces wrinkling and fine lines. Daily consumption of Vitamin C is essential for a radiant skin. Oranges are packed with Vitamin C and anti-oxidants which protect the body against free radicals and minimize DNA damage… therefore, slowing down premature aging. They also contain natural oils which keep the skin hydrated and moisturized.
Orange juice can be squeezed out and consumed freshly and it can be eaten daily. It can be added to salad or made into a smoothie. The pulps should be avoided if a person has stomach ulcer, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fresh orange juice can be applied to pigmentation spots.
For oily skin, orange can be mixed with lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric and gram flour, applied to the face and left to dry for 15 minutes, and rinsed off with warm water.
It can also be mixed with lemon juice, little milk, honey and a pinch of turmeric, applied to the skin for 10 minutes and rinsed off with warm water.