My Favourite “Inside-Out” Skin Superfoods

When it comes to eating for beauty our philosophy is that what goes on your body should be good enough to go in your body. Just as we need an abundance of nutrients and antioxidants in our bodies so too does our skin require food rich in nutrients and minerals.

In this article we provide you with three foods to super charge your beauty routine inside and out.

Olive Oil

We all know about the health benefits of coconut oil however we should not forget olive oil when it comes to powerful therapeutic oils for skin repair and regeneration. Olive oil contains three major antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols which are the main reason it works so well as an anti-ageing and nourishing oil.

Inside: I recommend that people use olive oil raw (organic and extra virgin) as a salad dressing and on their steamed veggies. Reserve coconut oil for when you require your oil to be heated. If you are suffering from constipation have a tablespoon of olive oil before bedtime and it will ensure you start the day with a lighter belly.

Out: Olive oil has been used for centuries for cosmetic purposes. It is a powerful ingredient in anti-aging skin care products, being rich in antioxidants, it prevents skin aging, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and it also nourishes, rejuvenates and protects the skin. Olive oil does not clog the pores, rather it works to penetrate deeply into the skin whilst providing a cleansing effect. Several ways to use it are below:

• Use as a calming moisturiser. In my clinic it works wonderfully to hydrate sensitive skin where no other product will work so I recommend to both children and adults with eczema or inflamed skin. It also works well to reduce stretch marks and I recommend pregnant women apply it on their thighs and belly.
• Use as a hydrating bath. Sophia Loren shared her beauty secret of being a fan of taking regular olive oil baths. To have an olive oil bath just add 5 tablespoons of olive oil to the bath or massage it onto your skin before your shower or bath and when you emerge you will have ultra-supple and soft skin.
• Cleanse and Exfoliate. You can also use olive oil as a cleanser by just using some cotton wool and a few drops to remove your make up. Combined with sea salt it makes an effective exfoliant.
• Ready to go. Our No.4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion, & Desert Lime Flawless Face Polish, & Coco Bliss Regenerating Mask and also contain Olive Oil, Cetearyl/Sorbitan Olivate is the formal name for it.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates have been known for centuries for their beautifying benefits. The fruit is an original native of Persia and is treasured as a symbol of health, fertility and longevity. Pomegranate extract is rich in antioxidants polyphenols, with the three key ones being tannins, anthocyanins and the powerful ellagic acid which provides the fruit with its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging abilities. It is also rich in vitamin C with one pomegranate providing 40% of your daily needs.

Inside: Pomegranates are wonderful free radical scavengers due to their antioxidant content. This means that they help to keep your body young by reducing inflammation and enhancing circulation. They are rich in vitamin E which makes them beneficial for repairing the skin and preventing fine lines. The high levels of vitamin C found in Pomegranates makes them wonderful for acne as vitamin C acts to balance the production of sebum. Recent research has shown that pomegranates are great for overall health. They have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, improve blood pressure and even reverse heart plaque formation. Enjoy pomegranate juice, or peel fresh pomegranate and place in your salads. You can also pop them into a smoothie – check out my blog post for more. They feature in our No. 2 Fountain of Youth Tea.

Out: Pomegranate contains ellagic acid which strengthens the cell membranes, making them less susceptible to free radical damage and preventing moisture loss. It has also been shown to help to prevent sunburn and can inhibit the effect of pigmentation caused by UV light.

• Use as a scrub. Make a divine pomegranate scrub by mixing 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds (crushed/blended) with a teaspoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of avocado oil. You can use this daily to remove dead skin cells and get clean glowing skin.
• Use as a toner. Dip a cotton ball in pomegranate juice and use to remove excess oil and grease after cleansing. It works as a wonderful toner for acne prone skin.
• Ready to go: Our & Coco Bliss Intensive Repair Night Creme contains Pomegranate and makes for a beautiful brightening and regenerating skin treatment.

White Tea

White tea is a little less widely used than green tea, however its benefits for the skin and body are equally if not more impressive than those of green tea. White tea is the least processed type of tea and has the highest catechin content. It is made of young tea leaves or buds stemmed immediately after harvest. As a result it is more in catechins (a key antioxidant) than green tea. It is routinely imbibed in China to maintain skin ageing and youth.

Inside: The skin benefits of white tea include protection from UV damage, anti-inflammatory effects and skin matrix protection. It has also been shown to be an effective skin rejuvenation agent. Some exciting research has shown that the antioxidant activity of white tea is so effective that it may inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) which are enzymes that degrade the key proteins of the skin matrix – this means it protects collagen and elastin thereby enhancing skin firmness. White tea can also work as a detoxifying agent, helping to remove toxins from the body. Drink white tea as a replacement for green tea or coffee. It can be found in our No. 2 Fountain of Youth Tea and No. 5 White Chai Digestif Tea. 

Out: When applied to the skin white tea acts to repair skin damaged by stress whilst the catechins found in the green tea can act to reduce inflamed skin.

• Use as a mask. Combine three tablespoons of brewed and cooled white tea with 4 tablespoons of coconut flour. Blend the ingredients altogether with one banana. Apply to the fact as a mask and leave for 15 minutes.
• Ready to go. Our No. 3 Ageless Goddess Serum and & Soothing Nectar Hydrating Gel feature this wonder ingredient.