The skin , such a delicate and sensitive organ, is the first protective shield we have and is attacked on several fronts: cold, heat, sun, impurities, stress and free radicals undermine its health! Also, let’s take a look around: an artificially stretched skin appears mostly as an inexpressive mask, while a mature skin , which welcomes the passage of time in a healthy, well-kept, conscious way is something quite different!

So let’s opt for natural remedies: deep cleansing inside and out, right nourishment, protection are the basic rules to keep the skin young and supple despite the years!

Free radicals ♥ compound sugars

The skin often renews itself, but it depends on age: about every month when you are twenty, twice as long when you are sixty. Free radicals cause the physiological turnover to be slowed down and undermine the integrity of collagen, the protein that maintains skin tone and elasticity .

A diet rich in sugars favors the increase of free radicals in the skin tissues. This was supported by an Italian study presented at the Winter Academy of Dermatology and Oncology. According to this study, with a diet rich in compound sugars, snacks, non-whole sugar, sweets and more, including sugary drinks and alcohol, free radicals would double in the skin tissue.

The skin would lose its elasticity and become more exposed to the aging process. Even smoking, even if passive, is guilty of aging, such as bad exposure to the sun’s rays, pollution, not cleaning the dermis.

What the skin loves

Obviously, people who observe a healthy lifestyle have healthier and more beautiful skin . It generally means saying no to alcohol, smoking and lack of sleep. Say yes instead to a healthy and light diet : steam cooking and simple foods , such as bread, pasta or rice, preferably whole, to compound foods and rich cooking are preferred. Sleeping well and drinking lots of it is essential.

Here are the anti-wrinkle foods

Legumes: soy, particularly rich in bioflavonoids , beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas

Vegetables , natural antioxidants: spinach, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, olives, parsley; and still carrots and peppers, rich in vitamin A

Fruits : rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, kiwis and berries, apples, pears, strawberries; mango, melon, rich in vitamin A ; apricots, grapes; but also nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, an important source of vitamin E

Water : moisturizing is essential, drinking lots of water and juices (natural and free of added sugars) gives the body all the vitamins to maintain healthy skin

Fibers : bread and whole grains , promote the functioning of the intestine and cleanse the body, avoiding the accumulation of toxins

Selenium, zinc, tocopherols that form vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene which will then be transformed in the body into vitamin A are the skin’s best friends. In particular, the oligo-element selenium is the leader of all anti-free radicals , it is found among foods of animal origin, such as fish, meat, eggs. Among the plant foods we find it in sunflower seeds, wheat germ , bran, wheat flour 00 and grated ginger , among others. The listed foods should be consumed, alternating them, every day.