February is a great month to practice self-care. Particularly, as it’s a month when you can feel the winter blues.
The short days, long nights, and lack of sunshine can make maintaining a healthy routine and mindset hard. But practicing self-care can help combat these feelings by promoting self-love and self-awareness.
February is also the month of Valentine’s Day, which can be a reminder to show love and kindness to oneself. By making self-care a priority, you can improve your overall mental and physical well-being this month.
On that note, today, I want to share 5 superfoods that your skin will love!
Loving yourself and your body starts with feeding yourself healthy, nourishing foods that help unlock your inner glow and radiant beauty:
Carrots are packed with nutrients that your skin needs and loves.
First, they’re high in Vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy eyesight, skin, and immune function.
And Beta-carotene too—which may help protect the skin from sun damage and aging. Beta-carotene can also help improve your skin’s texture and tone, thanks to promoting collagen production1.
Carrots also contain Vitamin C, which helps boost collagen production, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin. And there’s potassium, which helps hydrate your skin.
Lastly, we can’t forget fiber, which promotes healthy digestion, leading to a clear, healthy complexion.
Broccoli is rich in Vitamin C, which helps boost collagen production, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
There’s Vitamin A too, which is important for maintaining healthy eyesight, skin, and immune function. Broccoli also contains antioxidants such as sulforaphane, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
And broccoli is a good source of Vitamin K, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones and skin.
Eating broccoli can also aid digestion and promote healthy bowel movements, leading to a clear, healthy complexion.
Like salmon, walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Since much of our fish supply is contaminated with heavy metals and toxins, walnuts are a healthier, safer alternative source of this essential nutrient.
In addition to omega-3s, walnuts contain Zinc, Selenium, and Vitamin E—all of which contribute to healthy, happy, soft, and supple skin.
Zinc boasts anti-inflammatory properties too—soothing red, itchy, dry skin2.
Selenium stops free radical damage before premature wrinkles have a chance to form. And together, Selenium and Vitamin E ensure your skin is firm and protected against fine wrinkles and dark spots3.
Soy has many potential skin benefits due to having high levels of isoflavones, which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
As a result, soy can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, and even out skin tone. Soy also contains compounds that may help protect the skin from sun damage and UV rays.
Soy protein has been found to promote collagen production4, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
Tofu, edamame, and soy milk are all tasty sources of skin-saving soy.
Okay, I know water isn’t food, and you’re probably sick of hearing me prattle on about the importance of drinking water, but…
Water is essential for skin health—flushing toxins from your body, delivering nutrients to your cells, and hydrating your skin from within.
As this month of (self) love rolls on, please remember to take moments for yourself and show yourself love and kindness.
You’re worthy of self-care and self-love, so don’t be hard on yourself, and give yourself a break if needed.
And the next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up the 5 superfoods I’ve shared with you to give your skin love too!
