Antioxidants from food or creams?

Do you find yourself looking into the mirror, desperately trying to conceal the new wrinkles or the dark circles under your eyes? Many factors, such as pollution, smoking, stress, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise can affect skin health.

The first solution that comes to mind are the anti-aging skin creams and facial masks. These contain antioxidants and vitamins known for their beneficial effect on skin, helping protect it from damage and premature aging. However, few of us realize that there are also other good anti-aging skin remedies that are found in the food we eat: the foods rich in antioxidants!

Antioxidants: your skin’s natural protector

Antioxidants are substances that are needed to neutralize the harmful effects of the free radicals that are produced due to exposure to pollution, UV rays and other harmful factors. These free radicals are known to damage the skin cells, causing premature aging. And that’s why having antioxidants from foods can help protect your skin from the early appearance of wrinkles as well as make it glow. 

• Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables: Have you ever wondered what gives vegetables and fruits their range of different colours? Well, it’s all due to the antioxidants present in them. These valuable antioxidants are necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. They also fight free radicals. Antioxidants are mostly concentrated in spinach, broccolis, cabbages, and in fruits such as apricots, peaches, melons, plums and citrus fruits.

Did you know?

The "berry family" (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries) has one of the highest, powerful antioxidant potentials due to the presence of anthocyanidins that prevent free radical damage to connective tissues. These help repair and maintain the integrity of blood vessel walls and limit the effects of premature aging.

• Antioxidants in green tea: The antioxidant properties and the effects of green tea are due to the presence of powerful polyphenolic antioxidants, also known as catechins. Green tea has a protective effect on the cell membrane and helps reduce skin cancer.
• Antioxidants in coffee: Few of us know that coffee has an additional benefit other than being a natural stimulant; and that's its high antioxidant content. The antioxidants in coffee are known as polyphenols. Studies have shown that a cup of coffee may have four times the amount of antioxidant in a cup of tea!
• Selenium, also an antioxidant: Though we don’t hear much about it, selenium is one of the most essential minerals as it preserves tissue elasticity and slows down the ageing and hardening of tissues caused by oxidation. Many skin creams contain selenium as a vital ingredient. But we can also get it from food such as wholegrain cereals, seafood, turkey, garlic and eggs.

There is no argument that facial creams that contain antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, C and selenium are beneficial for the skin. It’s also important to note that in combination with the creams, consume a diet rich in antioxidants for a more youthful look:

• Include a handful of berries as part of your daily fruit intake or add them to your breakfast cereal.
• To get a healthy variety, think colour. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Enjoy coffee in moderate amounts: 3-4 cups a day.
• Include turkey and seafood in your weekly meals.
• Replace white bread with whole grain bread.

Other than giving you youthful, radiant and healthy skin, these foods provide wonderful benefits for the body as well. So, what you put on your plate is of similar or even greater importance than what you put on your face!

Good to remember:

Hydrating the skin from the inside or outside? To maximize your skin's glow, don't just apply hydrant creams; make sure you also drink 8-10 glasses of water a day as good hydration reflects positively on your outer beauty.