SKIN & HAIR
Foods
What they can do
Avacado
Creamy and rich in monounsaturated fats and a source of vitamins E and C, avocado is a satisfying, heart-healthy treat. Fatty acids such as oleic acid help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin E. Forming the skin's protective lipid barrier, fatty acids help seal in moisture by regulating water content within the cells. Antioxidant vitamins E and C also help heal and protect your skin from damaging ultraviolet rays. You can use avocado as a creamy skin mask that softens and refreshes.
Lackluster hair: Avocados are full of good fats, which make for a great deep conditioner. Plus, vitamin E restores shine. For a hair treatment, mash 1–2 ripe avocados with a tablespoon of honey, and then add 1 egg or 2 tablespoons olive oil. Leave on for 20–30 minutes and rinse.
Tomato
Tomatoes contain collagen-stimulating vitamin C, which helps with skin healing and structural integrity. They also contain lycopene, a carotenoid compound responsible for their deep red color. Lycopene in tomatoes may help prevent sunburn. Healthy female subjects who consumed 16 milligrams of lycopene daily for 12 weeks showed resistance to sunburn after ultraviolet exposure, according to researchers of a study published in the "British Journal of Dermatology." The researchers noted that the lycopene supplementation also reduced premature aging caused by ultraviolet rays.
Blueberries
The dark pigment in blueberries results from their high carotenoid content. Carotenoids, which include beta-carotene, possess antioxidant qualities. Beta-carotene boosts skin health through its ability to convert to an active form of vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A stimulates the renewal of skin cells for a softer, smoother, more glowing appearance.
Citrus Fruits
Oranges and lemons offer protection from sun-induced free radical damage through the power of vitamin C, an antioxidant and immune booster. Vitamin C aids in healing dry, chapped and...