Your skin is your body’s largest and fastest-growing organ. Amazing, right? Yet most of us neglect it and think that because we put a number of expensive products onto our skin that the food we eat and our lifestyle won’t affect it. This is not exactly true.

Our lifestyle and diet have a huge impact on the way our skin looks, feels and ages.

The food you eat has a huge impact on your skin. You are literally feeding your skin from the inside out so be sure to nourish it if you want to retain your youthful glow.

These are some of the best foods to incorporate into your diet to hydrate and boost your skin’s texture and appearance giving it a glowing sheen.

1. Avocados

Avocados are high in healthy fats which are essential to keep your skin looking plump and hydrated whilst also preventing your skin from ageing. Avocados are also high in Vitamin E; a highly important antioxidant that prevents the skin from oxidative damage which occurs in our daily life.

2. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as sardines, salmon and anchovies are great for hydrating your skin. They contain high amounts of Omega-3 Fatty Acids which is important to retain your skin’s health and moisture. They also contain high amounts of DMAE which prevents the skins ageing process and leaves it looking plump and youthful. Fatty fish is also an excellent source of Vitamin E which reduces skin inflammation and protects your skin against damage from free radicals.

3. Green Leafy Vegetables

Green Leafy Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and brussels sprouts are rich in ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) which fights free radicals and is incredibly anti-ageing. ALA has also been shown to reduce under-eye puffiness and have an anti-inflammatory effect on your skin. Green leafy vegetables are also high in Vitamin A, C, E and chlorophyll which enable the skin to retain its moisture and also protects the skin from damaging free radicals which cause ageing, dehydrated and tired-looking skin.

4. Walnuts

Walnuts are incredibly high in Vitamin E, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and are a great addition to your diet in order to boost your skins hydration. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help to protect cell membranes thus leading to the skin retaining its moisture and staying hydrated. Walnuts also contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium; all of which provide antioxidants and are important to keep your skin looking youthful and hydrated.

5. Blueberries

Blueberries contain the highest concentration of antioxidants per serving than any other fruit. They have high levels of Vitamins A, C and E and assist with neutralising free radicals in your skin and your body. Incorporating blueberries into your diet will give your skin a boost enabling it to retain its moisture and bring out its youthful appearance.

6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains high levels of Vitamin E which is essential for hydrated, glowing skin and also improves your skin’s elasticity. The antioxidants and good fats contained in EVOO also fight damaging free radicals and therefore facilitate healthy and hydrated skin. I use EVOO as my body moisturiser and not only does it leave your skin hydrated and healthy, it also makes it feel amazing. I would definitely recommend trying it on your body and feel the difference.

SKINCARE

1. Jojoba Oil

I have been using Jojoba Oil on my face every other night before bed for over 2 years and I can’t express how much I love it. Jojoba has anti-inflammatory properties which calm the skin, assist with skin repair and rejuvenation and is very hydrating. I wake up and my skin is baby soft and plump – I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

2. Vitamin E Oil

I use pure Vitamin E oil once or twice a week depending on how dry my skin is which is particularly common during the winter months. Vitamin E has been proven to hydrate, reduce signs of ageing and diminish the appearance of scarring. It’s also full of antioxidants and leaves your skin feeling soft, plump and hydrated.

3. Castor Oil

I use pure Castor Oil as a face mask once a week and it leaves my skin feeling so fresh and hydrated. Castor oil contains essential fatty acids which assist in restoring the skin’s natural moisture balance. I particularly love using Castor Oil during winter when my skin is much drier and I don’t tend to use it so much during warmer weather as it is quite thick and intense.

5. Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is the best natural makeup remover substitute. If you use it with a warm cloth, it gets all your makeup off and leaves your skin so soft and clean. I wouldn’t recommend using it every single day but as a face mask a few times per month it’s great at hydrating and cleansing your skin. I use Pure Coconut Oil as a body moisturiser a few times per week and it leaves your whole body hydrated, glowing and soft.

Campaigners for safer beauty product standards are warning people to look out for two commonly occurring ingredients in their skincare and body products that can cause blotches, swelling and itchiness of the skin.

Videos with the #saferbeauty hashtag have been watched over 960,000 times on TikTok and there are over a quarter of a million posts on Instagram with the same message. Whilst many of us are aware that ‘parabens’ get a lot of bad beauty press, campaigners are also warning of two ingredients, methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), that can be doing more harm to your skin than parabens.

MIT and CMIT are synthetic preservatives used as substitutes for parabens, and are often included in beauty products which boast about being ‘paraben-free’. However, an overwhelming number of people are allergic to MIT and CMIT but don’t know it yet.

Thom Watson, a skincare expert at Humanery, explains:”Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are two frequently used preservatives that, according to dermatologists, are thought to be the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

“MIT and CMIT are typically used in skin and body care formulas to prevent fungi, yeast, and bacteria from growing, but they are also found in paints and drilling equipment cutting oils. Although legally they must be used in low concentrations in beauty products, many cheaper grooming and beauty formulas continue to use the highest MIT and CMIT concentrations allowed, which can cause allergic reactions that go undiagnosed.”

How do you know if you are allergic to MIT or CMIT?

As these ingredients are used in so many personal care products and liquid cosmetics, most people are unaware that it is the cause of their skin irritation and often misdiagnose it as a food allergy or hay fever instead.

Common symptoms include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Raised bumps or hives on the skin
• Blotchiness
• Itchiness
• Flaky skin
• Eye swelling
• Peeling skin

What are the health concerns?

Skincare expert Thom was alerted to the dangers of MIT and CMIT when he realised he was one of the four million people in the UK that are allergic to these common skincare ingredients. He says: “

As most of us use some form of skincare and body care in our everyday lives, it is so important that we pay attention to their formulations. Sadly, in Europe and the United States MIT and CMIT can use these preservatives to the maximum concentration, whereas some countries (like Canada) don’t allow methylchloroisothiazolinone as a single ingredient, which reduces the risk of allergic reactions.

“If you notice unexplained skin rashes or flakiness that look similar to eczema then it is worth looking at your current body wash, hand soap, and any other products that you have frequently been using to see if they contain MIT or CMIT. Many people understandably take their reactions as an allergy to certain foods, so will start removing dairy or gluten from their diets. However, many studies have shown that it is actually personal care and cosmetic products that have MIT and CMIT in their formulas that cause these reactions on the skin.

“Unfortunately, these preservatives are more commonly used in cheaper skincare products that haven’t been formulated with the expertise of a dermatologist. So, if you have experienced painful redness or swelling where you use skincare and beauty products, or sudden dryness and flaking, look at the ingredients list of your frequently used products. If you notice MIT and CMIT are featured in the list, then try eliminating these formulas from your routine for a few weeks and monitor how your skin responds to a break from it.”