Singaporebrides | Beauty
April 2016
10 Best Bridal Beauty Foods for Glowing Skin and Lustrous Hair
Get your bridal glow on the natural way with some of the best foods to eat for good skin and lustrous hair.
They say, “You are what you eat,” and when it comes to your wedding beauty routine, it couldn’t be truer! In fact, what you put into your body is just as, if not more, important than what you put on it.
This is especially true when it comes to hair and skin health. You can buy all of the fancy lotions and potions in the world, but if you’re eating a poor diet, it’s going to come through in your appearance. The good news is that the best foods for healthy hair and skin are easy to find, simple to prepare, and delicious to eat. Get glowing from the inside out by adding these nutritional powerhouses to your bridal beauty diet.
Image by Jeremy Keith licensed under CC BY 2.0 1. Salmon
Salmon, and other fish like sardines, mackerel, and herring, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential to improving one’s overall health, with benefits ranging from better brain functioning to decreased depression. But they’re just as important for your appearance!
Omega-3s hydrate your hair and scalp from the inside out, keeping your tresses shiny and strong. They do the same for your skin, making it soft and supple.
Keep in mind, though, that wild-caught salmon tends to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than does farm-raised. It also tends to be more expensive, but you can keep the cost down by buying the tinned variety.
2. Oysters
You may already have known about salmon and its omega-3s, but did you know that oysters also should be included in your diet for better hair and skin? They contain high levels of zinc (actually, the highest level of any food!), which stimulates collagen production. This helps to prevent wrinkles, and gives your skin a plumper, more youthful appearance.
3. Eggs
Eggs, specifically the yolks, are very high in biotin. Biotin is a B-vitamin that helps to strengthen hair, skin, and nails. Some studies have even shown that biotin can make hair and nails grow faster, so including biotin-rich foods in your diet is a great shortcut to looking good.
If you can’t stomach the thought of eating eggs first thing in the morning, try taking a hard-boiled egg with you for a snack, or adding it to your salad at lunch. Just make sure that you’re eating the whole egg, because the yolks are the best source of biotin.
Image by Adam Wyles licensed under CC BY-ND 2.04. Nuts
Nuts are also high in biotin, and are excellent to include in your diet if you’re vegan. They’re an easy, portable snack that you can munch on throughout the day—just remember that because they are so nutrient dense, it’s important to exercise portion control.
Are all nuts created equal? Actually, walnuts are your best choice. Not only are they high in biotin, but they also contain the highest levels of omega-3s.
5. Avocados
Avocados are packed with nutrients, including vitamins C and K, folate, and potassium, and boast a number of health benefits. They’ve been shown to lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, and help the body to absorb vitamins in other foods.
Thanks to their high concentration of healthy fats (namely oleic acid), avocados are also great for keeping your hair lustrous and your skin hydrated. You can achieve these effects both from eating avocados and applying them directly to your skin and hair. If either is feeling a bit dry, mash together half an avocado and one tablespoon honey. Spread the mixture evenly through your hair or over your face, let sit for ten minutes, and rinse. You’ll be amazed at how hydrated you feel!
6. Spinach
Spinach is loaded with vitamin C and iron, both of which are needed to keep your skin healthy. Vitamin C helps with the production of collagen, while iron promotes circulation. Incorporate spinach into your diet by adding a few handfuls to a salad, or serving it as side dish at dinner with a drizzle of olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice.
7. Sweet potatoes and carrots
What do sweet potatoes and carrots have in common, other than an orange hue? A high concentration of beta-carotene, which is converted in your body to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to repair skin on a cellular level and increases blood flow, reducing wrinkles and giving skin a more dewy, youthful appearance.
Eating vitamin A is much preferred to topical application, as vitamin A is toxic in high enough doses. Luckily, our bodies are incredibly smart and only convert the precise amount of beta-carotene to vitamin A that we need. So while you can munch away on as many carrots as you’d like without worrying about overdoing it, it is possible that by applying a vitamin A-spiked serum directly to your skin, you could be giving yourself too much of a good thing.
Image by Isabel Moguer licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.08. Tomatoes
One of the best ways to protect your skin from the inside out is by eating tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene. Lycopene has been shown to increase the skin’s resistance to UV rays and reduce the effects of sun damage. An added bonus? Lycopene also decreases the risk of cancer and heart disease.
The effects of lycopene are boosted when paired with a healthy fat. A roasted tomato drizzled with olive oil is one of the most simple and delicious ways to improve skin health.
9. Garlic
Garlic is a powerful antioxidant that happens to be a tasty addition to many savoury dishes. It contains allicin, which is believed to prevent hair loss. It also has been shown to clear skin blemishes, thanks to its antibacterial qualities. Just be careful of how much you eat, because it tends to give people a certain scent at high enough levels!
10. Water
The simplest, easiest, and least expensive way to keep your skin looking young is by drinking water, and lots of it. Staying hydrated flushes toxins from the body and gives your skin a glowing appearance.
Avoid guzzling water while consuming lots of salt, though. Salt helps you to retain water and can cause bloating. The good news is that drinking plenty of water keeps you full, so that you’re less likely to overeat. Keep a water bottle with you when you’re out and about so that you remember to drink.
The best way to stay healthy—both on the inside and outside—is to eat a balanced diet of real, wholesome foods. Adding these foods to your bridal beauty diet will have you both looking and feeling great for your wedding!
Credits: Feature image from Weddings in Pictures: From This Day Forth and Forevermore by Bobby Kiran Photography
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