Top 5: Beauty Foods

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1. Carrots are good for your skin too! Beta-carotene - found in carrots is a powerful antioxidant and will help your skin stay young longer. Some studies also show that beta-carotene can repair sun damage.

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2. Salmon is not only delicious and is my favorite fish, it is also good for your skin as it is rich in the precious Omega-3 fatty acids. They help maintain cell membranes keeping skin healthy, hydrated and supple. According to some studies Omega 3 helps to protect skin against sun damage.

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3. Tomatoes contain high levels of Vitamin C and lycopene. Vitamin C is involved in collagen production and protects cells from free radical damage. Lycopene is an effective antioxidant which fights the free radicals that damage skin cells, interfere with cells growth and activity.

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4. Spinach is one of my favorites! It contains luitein. Studies show that lutein increases skin hydration, elasticity and skin lipid content.

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5. Watermelon, be it a fruit or a plant, is not only the best treat on a hot summer day but the right way to hydrate your skin! Which is crusial to its beauty every day! Remember, hydration is absolutely necessary for the best healthiest function of the cells. According to Dr Murad eating water is much more effective than drinking water because this way fluid gets directly into the cells and is not waisted in our swollen ankles and puffy eyes! And listen to this, watermelons are 97% water!

Sources:
MSNBC
nutraingredients
medicalnewstoday
The Water Secret by Dr.Murad

Top 5 Beauty Vitamins and Minerals

I will repeat what I have said so many times before: beauty comes not only from the bottoms of expensive cream jars but from the bottoms of our dinner plates as well, i.e. from a healthy balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. So here is Top 5 Beauty Vitamins and Minerals you may want to look out for to include into your diet to have healthy and young looking skin as long as possible. Some of these vitamins are also great when used topically.
Vitamin C: a very powerful anti-oxidant. Not only does it protect skin cells from free radicals it also helps collagen formation.
Vitamin E: another antioxidant that guards cells from free radical damage and helps to soothe and heal stressed skin. Vitamin E has shown to reduce sunburn and help to heel wounds. Due to the fact that Vitamin E is fat soluble, it gets easily absorbed and stored by the skin.
Zinc: Zinc is necessary for DNA repair, collagen and elastin production in the skin. That is why it is critically important for healthy skin function. It helps heal blemishes, reduces inflammation and helps to fight acne.
Alpha lipoic acid: a very special antioxidant as it is water and fat soluble. This means that it is able to get to every cell in your body! This acid also helps to regenerate other oxidants like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Gluthathione and Coenzyme Q10.
Bioflavonoids: natural anti-oxidant free-radical scavengers. Bioflavonoids work in synergy with other antioxidants like Vitamin E, ascorbate (Vitamin C), carotene (Vitamin A) and Selenium to reduce damage to the cells caused by oxidation. Flavonoids have also been found to help in maintaining the thin walls of the capillaries, promote circulation and have an antibacterial effect.

There are much more than just 5 beauty vitamins! So I have to mention such vitamins and minerals as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Omega-3 fatty acid and Magnesium - all of them contribute the healthy functioning of the skin cells and should be present in your beauty diets!

Top 5 Beauty Habits vs Top 5 Worst Habits for Your Beauty

Top 5 Beauty Habits

1. Wearing SPF every day all year round.
Sun is the main cause of premature aging. Get more out of this great habit by applying SPF not only to your face but décolleté and hands as well!
2. Drinking lots of water daily.
Liquid keeps your whole body and skin well hydrated and balanced!
3. Sleeping no less than 8 hours per day.
Good night sleep gives your skin a chance to regenerate. Maximize the benefits by training yourself to sleep on your back and on a low pillow. This will not only keep your neck and décolleté area looking smooth for longer but will also delay development of a deep nasolabial fold on the side of your face you like to sleep on ;-)
4. Preferring red wine to white wine and green tea to coffee.
Both red wine and green tea are packed with precious anti-oxidants. Red wine, in particular, contains polyphenols and resveratrol, which is known to have anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Eating lots of vegetables and fruits.
These will provide anti-oxidants and vitamins necessary to protect and preserve your beauty!

Top 5 Worst Habits for your Beauty

1. Smoking and secondhand smoking.
Smoking not only dehydrates your skin, it also constricts capillaries, and limits oxygen and nutrients flow to the skin.
2. Chewing a gum and making faces :-)
Gone are the days when everybody was doing facial exercises to prevent signs of aging. Repetitive facial movements proved to bring lines sooner!
3. Picking pimples and exfoliating your skin too often.
Hands off your skin! Picking pimples can result in scarring and spreading of bacteria. Too much exfoliation lowers skin protective barrier and leaves it more vulnerable to oxidative damage and dehydration.
4. Sunbathing.
Experts say, UVA and UVB rays are the main cause of aging!
5. Indulging into chocolate and all things sweet.
Sugar triggers a process in our bodies known as glycation which results in damaged collagen and elastin fibers.

What other habits would you add to these 2 lists?


Related Posts:

Best Anti-Aging Treatments Out There

Age Factors

More on anti-aging:

Skin Care by Age

Anti-Aging Makeup and Tips on How to Look Younger

Copyright: by Skin Care and Beauty Blog

Top 5 Beauty: Five Women Celebrities Who Look Gorgeous for Their Age

A couple months ago I came accross this top 5 list of women who look great for their age. I personally agree with the list and found it quite inspirational.

1. Demi Moore (45)

2. Helen Mirren (63)

3. Halle Berry (42)

4. Michelle Pfeiffer (50)

5. Sophia Loren (74)

Photos: www.freshnews.in (1), www.freshnews.in (2), people.com (3,4), cache.daylife.com (5)
Source: In Style (US,Oct. 2008)