We can’t help but admire beauty models or picture-perfect Korean idols with their smooth healthy skin, and sometimes despite our best efforts at skincare doesn’t seem to be able to improve our situation. While for some it might be due to dermal issues, for the rest of us, the problem might just be in our diets.

Beyond cutting down on the obvious culprits behind poor skin such as oily and greasy food, getting more rest and drinking more water, a complete diet overall sounds far too difficult for most of us. Instead, here we’ve done up a list of simple everyday food to increase our daily intake of to give our skin that extra nourishment it needs.

AVOCADO

Beyond being a millennial’s favourite superfood, avocados are also rich in beneficial fats and contain vitamins E and C, both of which protect the skin from oxidative damage and to create collagen. The specific type of healthy fats present in avocados are also commonly associated with springy and supple skin, so all the more reason you have to grab an avocado milkshake.

Photo Credit: EatingWell

BROCCOLI

Full of vitamins, minerals and carotenoid important for skin health — zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C and lutein — these work together to protect the skin from oxidative damage that normally causes the skin to become dry and wrinkled. Broccoli also contains a special compound called sulforaphane that’s a powerful protective agent against sun damage, boasting some of the most impressive anti-cancer effects found in food too.

DARK CHOCOLATE

As if we need another reason to consume more chocolate, but thanks to its high antioxidant properties, apart from reducing harmful stress hormones that break down collagen in the skin, it also helps the skin to withstand over twice as much UV radiation. Studies have also shown participants experiencing thicker, more hydrated skin that was less susceptible to sunburn and had better blood flow. Overall it also helped to prevent the formation of wrinkles too!

FATTY FISH

We’ve heard the term “omega 3” thrown around a lot in the past decades, but what exactly does it do? Apart from keeping skin thick, supple and moisturized, it also helped to reduce inflammation — the main cause behind redness and acne. It also fights other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions that affect the skin, such as psoriasis and lupus. Of course, that just gives us all the more reasons to indulge in salmon.

GREEN TEA

Green tea can perhaps be considered the healthiest beverage on Earth and is known to improve brain function and weight loss. But apart from those, it also helps to improve skin elasticity and protect against sun damage. Green tea is high in polyphenols and a specific type of antioxidant called catechins that reduces the redness of the skin while improving moisture and elasticity.

RED WINE

Red wine contains resveratrol, a certain type of antioxidant that has anti-cancer effects and pro-collagen effects on the skin. It has also been shown to help with reducing the effects of ageing by slowing down the production of harmful free radicals that damage skin cells. However, it is recommended to drink in moderation as excessive amounts of alcohol would harm the liver, and ultimately the skin too.

SOY

While soy is the usual go-to for meat substitutes in vegetarian and vegan diets, it’s also extremely beneficial for skin care. It contains plenty of isoflavones that can either mimic or block estrogens in the body, whereby daily consumption actually helps to reduce fine wrinkles by improving skin elasticity. On top of that, it also improves skin dryness and increases collagen that keeps the skin smooth and strong.

SWEET POTATO

Interestingly enough, the nutrient found in sweet potato — known as beta-carotene — functions as provitamin A, meaning that it can be converted into vitamin A in the body. While it’s found in other sources like oranges and carrots, sweet potatoes are far richer and can provide four times as much of vitamin A to protect the skin from UV and sun damage. It also adds a warm, orange tone to the skin and gives you a healthier looking glow.

TOMATO

A fantastic source of Vitamin C, Tomatoes contain all of the major carotenoids — including lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene — all of which have been proven to improve the efficacy of sun protection. Having plenty of major carotenoids also makes it an excellent food choice for maintaining healthy skin. Whether as tomato paste or cooked tomato, fairing it with a good source of fat such as cheese or olive oil would boost absorption of carotenoids!

Photo Credit: Marsha

WALNUTS

We all know that eating more walnuts is beneficial for brain development, but there’s actually many more characteristics that make them an excellent food for healthy skin. Just like fatty fish, they’re rich in omega 3 and even more so than most other nuts. One handful of walnuts also contains 6% of the recommended daily intake for zinc that’s essential for healing wounds and combatting bacteria and inflammation of the skin. Still, it’s advised not to take more than 10 walnuts a day due to the amounts high omega 6.

“Eat well, live well, be well.”

This has always been Melody’s and my mantra in life, and while we always treat ourselves to the better things in life, we have always believed in a holistic approach towards a complete well-being.

Eating is our hobby and so is traveling. Every good meal and every trip uplifts the spirits and makes us happy. And while we are what we eat, we have also formed a firm belief in treating our skin to the best food, too. Because when we feel good, we look good. And feeling good inside out is the very holistic approach we practise.

Lately, we have been introduced to a miracle product, and both Melody and I have inculcated it in our respective daily skincare regimes – Skin Inc’s Pure Revival Peel. Renown for their highly concentrated, 100% pure and active serums and skincare from Japan, Skin Inc (www.iloveskininc.com) offers customised skincare solutions for each and every individual.

Apart from their regular ranges, here is our favourite Pure Revival Peel, and 3 reasons why you should feed your skin the best it deserves:

1. Exfoliation (2-3 times a week)

Exfoliation is a key process to clean and healthy skin, but is one that is most frequently taken lightly or forgotten. Living in a stressful first-world city often meant tired skin, and with a hectic travel schedule, Melody and I often suffer from post-flight breakouts because our skin is clogged with impurities. We have been trying many products, but nothing comes close to the performance of Pure Revival Peel.

Unlike the typical grainy ones in the market that subject our skin to abrasive scrubs and harsh peeling, Pure Revival Peel is a multi-action peel that is most gentle on the skin. Paraben-free and fragrance free, this product is suitable even for the most sensitive of skin and causes zero stress to the skin.

Massage gently over the skin to reveal new epidermal cells, and the end result is a skin that looks so renewed and fresh.

2. Skin Restoration

Pure Revival Peel combines the high-performance active ingredients AC-11, Arbutin and Fullerene; in essence, a combination of power ingredients to detox skin cells, prolongs cell life, strengthens collagen and elastin, and repairs UV damage. The power ingredients also promotes brightening, improves the immune system functions and prevents cellular damage, and acts as an antioxidant.

3. Super-dynamic Primer

I always hear Melody talk about makeup primers and how they are amazing products that keeps her makeup fresh and and lasting throughout the day. I do not quite understand, until I learned that the end result of using Pure Revival Peel is smoother and more dewy skin that acts like a super-dynamic primer. It minimises fine lines, too!

Because the exfoliation process is like granting our skin a rebirth, it encourages moisture and active ingredients in our products to penetrate the deeper skin layers better. Exfoliate daily with Pure Revival Peel, and the skin is restored on a molecular level with new skin surfacing. Our normal skincare regimes resume after exfoliation, and true enough, my moisturiser guides on perfectly while Melody even skipped her usual makeup primer.

In short, Skin Inc’s Pure Revival Peel is an anti-oxidant that brightens and smooths skin, as well as minimises pore size.

If these do not give you enough reasons, we heard the this wonder product has been awarded five times from leading beauty titles like Her World and Harper’s Bazaar. It is now an indispensable to us, and an item we vow to bring on all our future trips. Retailing at S$104 per 100ml, the Pure Revival Peel is available at all Skin Inc concept and specialty stores.

Celebrate a New You today and stand a chance to win Skin Inc’s award-winning Pure Revival Peel. Stand a chance to win by liking Skin Inc’s Facebook page, leave a comment “Skin Inc x Ladyironchef” and list a benefit of using the product.

And because it is the month of Love, Pure Revival Peel is exclusively available with Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask (30ml) at $132 (25% savings). This Perfect Match set works together to prep and hydrate your skin, resulting in instantly brighter, smoother and awesome skin. It’ll be love at first sight!

Also, complete your 3-step skincare regime with Skin Inc’s pre-mix serums – choose from Anti-ageing or Sensitive – at S$118 (U.P. S$190). These promotions are available at all Skin Inc Concept stores (ION #B3-43 and Marina Bay Link Mall #B2-25) and online, www.iloveskininc.com.

For the latest updates, follow Skin Inc on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and www.iloveskininc.com

This post is brought to you by Skin Inc.