Some people’s skin appears in a beautiful color that gives a feeling of health and freshness. The secret behind this may be simpler than you expect. Some foods contribute to giving the skin a beautiful glow. What are these foods and how do you do this?
The secret is in carotenoids – such as beta-carotene in carrots – which represent a class of nutrients that usually give foods a beautiful orange color. In addition to their aesthetic effect, many studies indicate that carotenoids possess health-promoting properties that contribute to alleviating or reducing the risk of various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, skin and bone conditions, eye disorders, metabolic disorders, cognitive decline, and others.
Foods rich in carotenoids include carrots, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, papaya, tomatoes, spinach and kale, so not all carotenoids are orange. Some forms are converted into vitamin A in the body.
Nutrition expert Kate Taylor, in an interview with the American magazine Newsweek, indicated that constantly eating a diet containing fruits and vegetables that contain colorful carotenoids can contribute to a healthy appearance of the skin because they are also anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
“Aggravated inflammation can reduce skin glow,” Taylor said. “As someone who suffers from eczema, I know this for sure. So it’s not just about carotenoids but about foods rich in carotenoids as a whole.”
On the other hand, consuming excessive amounts of carotenoids can contribute to yellowing or orange skin, a condition known as carotenemia. There is some evidence that smaller amounts of carotenoids may have a similar, milder effect.
Taylor told Newsweek that there is some evidence to support the idea that certain carotenoids — especially lycopene, found in tomatoes, and astaxanthin, found in seafood and algae — may support overall skin health and radiance.
Other tips for beautiful, healthy skin
The American Academy of Dermatology website indicates some procedures that make the skin appear healthier. These procedures are:
- Apply sunscreen every day before going out: Sunscreen is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. It can slow down skin aging. It can also help prevent skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 (or higher), and is water-resistant.
- Do not smoke, as smoking accelerates the aging of your skin.
- Use skin care products that suit your skin’s needs.
- Wash your face when you wake up, before bed, and after sweating.
- Wash your face gently: To gently clean your face, wet it with lukewarm water. Then apply a light lotion. Gently apply the face wash in a circular motion with your fingertips. Finish the process by rinsing the lotion completely and gently drying your face with a clean towel.
- Get rid of stress: Some skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema) often appear for the first time when a person feels very stressed. Stress can also worsen many skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
- Resist the urge to scratch your skin: If you sweat a lot or suffer from acne flare-ups, it may seem natural to scratch your skin. Don’t do it! Scratching irritates your skin, which can worsen any skin condition, including acne.
- See a dermatologist if you don’t like something about your skin.