5 Superfoods for your inside out beauty

Here are 5 superfoods to eat and wear in seconds for your inside out beauty. Probably, your never-ending quest for the most natural and simplest beauty treatment might end here? Acne or inflammation, dark spots or wrinkles, oily or dry hair – these five superfoods are a perfect natural solution for all your skin and hair problems.

Known for their rich flavor, versatility, and numerous health benefits, these 5 superfoods are so basic and simple that every kitchen has them.

5 Superfoods for your inside out beauty

But why a food can be considered a superfood? The term “superfood” has nothing to do with science; it’s rather a marketing trick. However, there are lots of reasons behind it. Generally, a food is promoted to the superfood status when it offers maximum nutritional benefits for minimal calories, or contains high levels of health-beneficial nutrients that are linked to the prevention of a disease.

1

Extra virgin olive oil

Olive oil is the heart and soul of Mediterranean cuisine, the essence of vitality and health. Cooking with olive oil is like creating a masterpiece with every dish, adding magic to any recipe. Every tasty meal starts with great olive oil.

Extra virgin olive oil is packed with heart-healthy fats and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a healthy diet. It has also been linked to a long list of benefits and may protect against inflammation, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even breast cancer. It can help you lose weight too!

Beauty Benefits:

1. Skin hydration: Olive oil is a natural emollient that can help moisturize and nourish the skin. Its rich content of healthy fats and vitamin E can improve skin hydration and leave it feeling soft and supple.
2. Anti-Aging Properties: The antioxidants present in olive oil, particularly vitamin E and polyphenols, can help protect the skin from oxidative stress, which contributes to premature aging. Regular application of olive oil may help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
3. Hair Health: Olive oil is commonly used in hair care as a deep conditioning treatment. It can help moisturize the scalp, reduce dandruff, and improve the overall condition and shine of the hair. Massaging olive oil into the scalp and hair strands can also stimulate blood circulation.
4. Nail and Cuticle Care: Olive oil can be used to moisturize and strengthen the nails and cuticles. Applying a small amount of olive oil to the nails and cuticles regularly can help prevent dryness, cracking, and brittleness.

Eat it and wear it

Include olive oil in your daily menu. At dinner, drizzle a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil into a small bowl, and dip whole-grain bread in it to improve your skin from the inside out.

Applied topically, olive oil has a long history of being used as a home remedy for skincare. You can apply it directly on skin, or add a bit to a warm bath for a good soak. To prevent hair loss, massage the scalp with olive oil every evening for eight days. Let it work overnight and wash it out in the morning.

2

Honey

Honey is the sweetest gift of nature, its golden elixir. “The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them and the bee leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as it found them.” – Saint Francis de Sales

Beauty Benefits:

1. Moisturizing and Soothing: Honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Applying honey topically can help moisturize and soften the skin, leaving it smooth and supple. It can also soothe irritated or sensitive skin.
2. Acne Treatment: Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help combat acne. Applying honey to acne-prone areas can help reduce redness, inflammation, and the growth of bacteria on the skin.
3. Skin Glow and Radiance: The antioxidants present in honey, such as phenolic compounds, can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and promote a healthy and radiant complexion.
4. Gentle Exfoliation: Honey contains enzymes that can provide mild exfoliation by gently removing dead skin cells, leaving the skin looking fresh and rejuvenated. It can be used as a natural ingredient in DIY scrubs or masks.
5. Hair and Scalp Health: Honey can be used as a natural hair conditioner and scalp treatment. It helps moisturize the hair, reduce frizz, and promote shine. Applying honey to the scalp can help soothe irritation and promote a healthy scalp environment.

Eat it and wear it

Simply apply unpasteurized honey to your face one or two times per week to get the best results. But start with a patch test to make sure your skin wouldn’t have an allergic reaction even though you are not allergic to bees or honey, it’s always better to be safe.

3

Yogurt

Yogurt is the nature’s delicious and nutritious gift, the only food that loves you back. Not an apple, a bowl of yogurt a day keeps the doctor away, both literally and figuratively.

Beauty Benefits:

1. Skin Nourishment: The probiotics and lactic acid in yogurt can promote healthy skin by supporting the skin’s natural barrier function and enhancing moisture retention. Applying yogurt topically as a face mask can help soothe and hydrate the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
2. Acne Treatment: The antibacterial properties of yogurt, along with its lactic acid content, can help combat acne-causing bacteria and exfoliate dead skin cells. Applying yogurt as a face mask may help reduce acne, inflammation, and blemishes.
3. Hair and Scalp Health: Yogurt can be used as a natural hair conditioner and scalp treatment. The protein content in yogurt helps strengthen the hair strands, while the lactic acid can aid in removing excess oil and product buildup from the scalp.
4. Digestive Health and Detoxification: The probiotics in yogurt support healthy digestion, aiding in the removal of toxins and waste from the body. A healthy digestive system is often reflected in clearer skin and improved overall well-being.

Eat it and wear it

You can simply eat yogurt plain. You can also add honey or any freshly squished juice to it. Or you can use yogurt as a base for your favorite smoothies. According to healthcare professionals, regularly eating natural plain yogurt may improve health in 4-5 weeks.

Don’t forget to put a couple of tablespoons aside to apply on your face and rinse with cool water after 10-15 min. Make a yogurt hair mask: apply yogurt to the hair roots and work it in along the length of your hair; cover with a shower cap and leave it on for 20-30 min; rinse out with warm water.

4

Avocado

Avocado is the perfect food, loaded with healthy fats and endless other goodies. You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy avocado, and it’ll keep the bad mood away for the whole day, which is kind of the same thing. Literally and figuratively, life is better with guacamole.

Beauty Benefits:

1. Skin Nourishment: Avocados are a source of healthy fats, vitamins (such as vitamin E and vitamin C), and antioxidants, which can help nourish the skin from within. These nutrients may contribute to a healthy complexion, hydration, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Hair Health: Avocado oil is often used in hair care products due to its moisturizing properties. It can help nourish and hydrate the hair strands, promote shine, and reduce frizz. The vitamins and minerals in avocados can also support healthy hair growth.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Avocados contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as carotenoids and tocopherols, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is often associated with skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
4. Sun Protection: The antioxidants present in avocados, including vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, may help protect the skin from damage caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, avocados should not be used as a substitute for sunscreen.

Eat it or wear it

Make guacamole – an avocado-based dip or salad first created by the Aztecs in what is now Mexico. Pit an avocado, puree the pulp, squeeze a half of lime, add herbs you like, and olive oil. Don’t forget to apply part of it on your face.

5

Strawberries

“Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.” – Jasmine Heiler

“The strawberry is the wonder of all the fruits, the marvel of all the berries, and the quintessence of summer.” – Charles Simmons

Life is short, eat strawberries.

Beauty Benefits:

1. Skin Health: The antioxidants in strawberries can help combat free radicals and protect the skin from oxidative stress, which can contribute to premature aging. Vitamin C in strawberries also supports collagen production, promoting firm and youthful-looking skin.
2. Brightening Effect: Strawberries contain natural acids, including alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which can help exfoliate the skin gently. This can result in a brighter complexion and smoother texture.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Strawberries have anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm irritated or inflamed skin. Applying mashed strawberries topically or using strawberry-based skincare products may provide relief to certain skin conditions like acne or rosacea.
4. Hair Health: The vitamins and minerals in strawberries, such as vitamin C and manganese, can support healthy hair growth and strengthen the hair strands. Additionally, the antioxidant content may help protect the hair from damage caused by free radicals.

Eat it and wear it

Every time you have a chance, simply spread one strawberry on your face and rinse it off in 10 minutes.

Put 1 cup of strawberries in a blender; add 1 cup of plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons of honey (a great moisturizer). Smooth it. Before enjoying your smoothie, set aside enough to coat your face.