Hello lovelies! I hope this week is treating you well!

I get asked a lot of questions about my skin. It didn’t always used to look this way… My skin used to constantly be broken out, dehydrated and dull. As with all things health related, I like to take an holistic approach to tackling a “problem”. If you only focus on topical skincare, you’ll only see superficial results. I want to glow from within… and that comes from healthy eating and living a balanced lifestyle.

When it comes to eating for your skin, variety will always be key. Sure, greens are wonderful and the top of everyone’s health food list, but I think aiming to “eat the rainbow” is a better approach – this will ensure you’re getting a wide range of micronutrients, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants… all things that your skin loves! Some foods give your skin a little extra love than others though, so I’ve rounded up my top 5 powerhouse GLOW foods!

1. Papaya

Papaya or paw-paws are rich in vitamins A,C,E and K as well as an amazing enzyme called papain. Papain aids your digestion and good digestion (breaking down, assimilating & eliminating food efficiently) is key to happy, healthy skin. If your digestive tract is sluggish or backed up, or your body is not absorbing the nutrients from your food, it causes all sorts of health issues including dull or angry skin. Papaya is best eaten on an empty stomach and bonus points if you eat a few of the seeds too – they contain powerful anti-parasite properties! Another amazing trick for your skin… after you’ve eaten your papaya, you can use the skin as a natural fruit peel to brighten your complexion. Just rub the skin over a clean face, leave for a few minutes and then rinse. Be sure to wear sunscreen to protect your fresh face!

2. Avocado

If I could eat just one thing for the rest of my life, avocados would probably be it! Avos are rich in monounsaturated fats, fibre and vitamin E. I’m so happy that 90s fat phobia seems to be fading away, because eating good fats is key to balanced nutrition. A lot of our hormones are regulated by fat intake and hormone balance is paramount to having beautiful skin. Eating good fats like avos helps to plump up our skin and damn do they taste good too! Just like papayas, avos can be mashed up and used as a face mask or hair mask, but I would much rather eat them!

3. Cucumbers

Hydration is a key factor to gorgeous, glowing skin. It’s important to “eat your water” instead of just chugging down litres of H20. Cucumbers are made up of 95% water, making them an ideal hydrating and cooling food. Cucumbers also help flight inflammation and inflammation in the body can manifest in skin disorders. If you can’t find organic cucumbers, I recommend peeling the skins off conventional cukes to avoid a lot of pesticide residue!

4. Fermented Foods & Drinks

A happy gut contains a wide variety of good bacteria. Modern living (stress, antibiotic use, inflammatory foods, leaky gut) can wreak havoc on your microbiome, leading to all sorts of maladies, including many skin problems. Sometimes it’s necessary to take a good probiotic, but I prefer a more balanced and gentle approach to making sure my gut gets fed the good stuff. A few times a week I enjoy some raw sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, tempeh and coconut yoghurt. Don’t go crazy – too much of a good thing can lead to a very gassy, bloated and confused stomach! When your gut is healthy and happy, it’s pretty much guaranteed that your skin will reflect this too!

5. Collagen

As we age, collagen production in our skin declines and this leads to saggy and wrinkled skin. By ingesting collagen, you will notice your skin appears more plumped and vibrant. Collagen is also amazing for your gut, hair, nails and joints! I switch between grass-fed bovine collagen powder and marine collagen powder. I like to add the flavourless powder to my morning coffee, smoothies and sometimes even into soups. There’s a reason why everyone is going crazy for collagen – it works! Sorry to my vegan readers 🙁 I have heard about something called Irish Moss, which is supposed to be like “plant based collagen”, but I’ve never used it, so can’t attest to it’s efficacy!

I could do a much longer list, because there are so many foods and superfoods that help your skin glow, but these babies are defs my firm faves! Don’t forget that drinking clean water, good sleep, exercise, a good skincare routine and taking care of your mental health are all contributing factors to beautiful skin!

What are your fave skin foods or drinks? Let me know!

xoxoxo