I’m happy to welcome back our Beauty on a Budget expert Jessica! Ms. Jessica has worked in the skin and beauty industry for 10+ years and is an awesome resource for all things beauty related. She’s also a girl on a budget, and knows what its like to want more bang for your buck and to walk the fine line between cost and quality. Her monthly contributions will give us all the lowdown on what brands and products can give us the best beauty boost without breaking our bank accounts. This month’s contribution is a great way to nourish your inside so it shows on the outside…
I cringe at the days I used to eat Taco Bell almost every day after school. I’ll admit that I had an unhealthy relationship with the Cheesy Gordita Crunch. I have since stopped this greasy affair, and when I even look at a Taco Bell, my body starts to rebel. These days I’m reinforcing good cravings just like I used to nurture bad ones. And when it comes to skin, internal care is just as important as topical maintenance. I notice that when I eat fewer processed foods, my skin clarity improves. How exactly does this happen?
Consuming food with a high glycemic load (white rice and pasta and most pastry desserts) causes an overproduction of insulin, and in turn increases levels of the hormone androgen. This ultimately leads to higher sebum production, and a greater chance of acne symptoms. The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology reported that when people replaced refined carbohydrates with fiber-rich grains, their acne reduced by 50 percent. An increase in fiber can stabilize the insulin surges that create the right conditions for acne formation.
I’ve replaced many of my meals and snacks with fresh fruits and vegetables. When you eat foods such as tomatoes, spinach, and kale, you’re consuming carotenoids, which convert to Vitamin A when digested. This is an amazing nutrient that increases cell turnover (exfoliates) and replaces old cells with new ones. This process helps to eliminate cell buildup that contributes to acne, fine lines, and dull skin. When you add zinc (found in garbanzo beans, oysters, and baked beans) to the mix, it carries the Vitamin A to the skin. Zinc also functions as an anti-inflammatory agent for the skin, controlling its oil production.
There are plenty of other foods that promote skin health, so I’ll call this article an installment in a series.
Stay tuned!