SKIN FOOD

TRIED EVERY LOTION AND STILL NOT SEEING RESULTS? DIETITIANS AND NUTRITIONISTS AGREE: WHAT YOU PILE ON YOUR PLATE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU APPLY TO YOUR FACE

- BETTINA TYRRELL

Beyond top-shelf skincare, nutrition also factors into why your complexion looks so great (or not so great). “Your whole body system affects your skin, from your hormones to your metabolic and gut health,” explains Geraldine Georgeou, accredited dietitian and author of The Australian Healthy Skin Diet. Acne, wrinkles, redness and inflammation can all be traced back to what you’re eating. Graze on our good skin diet to learn which foods can rejuvenate or wreak havoc on your skin.

Eat your way...

If you want a glowing and clear complexion, the old adage “you are what you eat” has never been more true. While you may have heard about eating for better heart health; your skin—the body’s largest organ—can also benefit from nutritional attention. Feed your face with these powerful nutrients:

VITAMIN A: It has major benefits when applied topically, but fuelling up on this antioxidant can also help the production of collagen and elastin fibre from within (the more collagen in the skin the more firm, plump and youthful looking it will appear). Additionally, “not getting enough vitamin A can lead to increased dryness as well as the slower healing of wounds,” says Georgeou.

FIND IT IN: Oranges, sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin and dark, leafy greens, such as spinach and kale.

ZINC: “I’m often asked, ‘What’s the most important vitamin, nutrient or micronutrient?’ and zinc is the first that comes to mind,” says Georgeou. “Not only does it protect [skin] from sun damage, zinc is antimicrobial and there is evidence to suggest that taking zinc supplements can help with acne.”