Each year, women spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on cosmetic products and moisturizers trying to keep their skin looking young. They make the smart choice not to have some type of cosmetic surgery, but still want to look their best. This is why they are willing to turn to these products, hoping that one of them is the “fountain of youth.”
While there are a number of products that can do great things for your skin, they can be quite expensive. Some of these anti-aging creams and moisturizers can cost you hundreds of dollars per month. You look great, but your budget takes a hit for it.
What you may find stunning to learn about these products is that the vast majority of them are using natural compounds and oils to give you those results. You could actually get the same value to your skin if you would have just eaten these products. Instead, you spent vast sums of money getting creams that provide you with the same results you would have received for pennies on the dollar.
Now that you know this, it is time to save yourself some money. Especially if you are a person who cannot afford these products in the first place. Now you can get those same great effects if you eat five foods on a regular basis. These foods will make your skin look younger and more vibrant. So here are five foods you need to start including in your diet.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This is one of the best foods you can use for your skin. Researchers and scientists have discovered that extra virgin olive oil helps to prevent many of the diseases that are commonly associated with causing your skin to age. In addition, it provides a number of other health benefits to you, including reducing your risk of heart disease and helping to prevent metabolic disorders. In fact, extra virgin olive oil has even been found to have major benefits for those who are battling cancer.
So, how does extra-virgin olive oil work? The truth is that your skin begins to age because it becomes inflamed. The puffier your skin gets, the greater the aging effects will become. Olive oil helps act as an anti-inflammatory agent. In several studies it has been found to greatly decreased inflammation and to protect the skin from the sun and other weather conditions.
Because extra-virgin olive oil is 73% monounsaturated fat, it is able to improve the elasticity and firmness of your skin. It will make it look better than ever. We agree that it costs a little extra to use this form of oil, but in comparison to what you are spending on moisturizers and creams, it is a significant savings.
Fatty Fish
You may have already heard the praises of omega-3 fatty acids. It seems like that if you go into any health store or listen to any of these infomercials you are going to find this acid is talked about as the miracle supplement to having healthy skin. This may have made you skeptical, but the reality is that it does work quite effectively.
Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep the skin thick and well moisturized. In fact, if a person does not have enough of this fatty acid in their system it can lead to dry skin. So, not only does it help to reduce the effects of aging but diminishes the chance of your skin looking older.
Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in fish such as herring, salmon, and mackerel. However, you can find supplements that will supply you with the needed amount of omega-3. If you are a person who does not like fish, this is the way to go.
Avocados
Avocados are a great food for you in general. They are high in healthy fats, providing you with a number of benefits, especially for your skin. A study of 700 women found that those who had eaten high amounts of avocados each day had much more supple and springy skin. It was far more flexible and better moisturized.
In addition, avocados are high in vitamin E. This vitamin is important because it is high in antioxidants, helping to protect your skin from oxidative damage. The truth is that most Americans do not get enough vitamin E in their diet.
When combined with vitamin C, they act together to create greater amounts of collagen in your skin which will help to create strong and healthy looking skin. If you are not a fan of avocados, there are avocado supplements you can take that will provide you with the necessary amount each day. But if you like them, then you should eat half of an avocado each day.
Dark Chocolate/Cocoa
See, all those years you were arguing about how good chocolate is for you and you were right. Dark chocolate is excellent for you in terms of providing antioxidants. In fact, several studies have found that it is even better than eating blueberries, cranberries, or acai berries.
Not only does this do wonders for your skin, but it also helps to reduce blood pressure and increases insulin sensitivity. This will help to improve your arterial function which improves elasticity as well.
Chocolate is high in antioxidants called flavanols. These are great in protecting your skin against sun damage. However, before going out and buying your favorite candy bar, understand that the amount of flavanols found from one chocolate to another can differ. Look for one that contains large amounts.
Vegetables
When your mother told you to eat your vegetables she was 100% correct. Vegetables are great at helping to protect against heart disease, cancer, and cataracts. They are also high in beta-carotene, which protects against radiation of the sun and free radicals.
This beta-carotene is essential in helping to fight against the aging of your skin. You can find large amounts of it in vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. Because vegetables are high in vitamin C, they are the perfect thing to take with avocados. This combination will do wonders for your skin.
This is just a start. There are other foods you can eat that will do wonders for making your skin look younger. Just a little change in your diet and you can save yourself a lot of money and look even more beautiful.