I talk quite a bit about foods that are great for your body, foods that will help you look and feel your best. However, there are also quite a few foods that are not only amazing to eat but also put on your skin. These foods can actually take the place of commercial skin care products, many of which contain dangerous ingredients that can actually harm your skin.

Your skin is your largest organ

Perhaps you don’t think of your skin as your body’s largest organ but it is. Whatever you put on your skin is absorbed through your pores and into your body. Think about things that you may put on your skin on a daily basis such as makeup, cream, sunscreen etc…  If you knew what even some of these things are doing to your body, you would never let them touch your skin again.

Foods your skin loves

Using food as part of a natural beauty routine will bring out the best your skin has and keep it looking young and supple. Here are my top 9 favorite foods to feed your skin.

Honey

Although honey is sticky and may seem like something you don’t want to put on your face, it is actually one of the best natural moisturizers. Honey is a humectant, which is a substance that allows your skin to absorb and lock in moisture. The best honey to put on your skin is Manuka, because it is highly antibacterial in nature. NOt only will it help your skin retain moisture, it will also help keep breakouts away. To use honey as a face mask, simply apply on clean face and let it sit until it starts to drip. Rinse it off with cool water. Pat your face dry and follow up with a light layer of coconut oil.

Oats

Oats are wonderfully soothing for skin that is inflamed and are especially helpful for conditions such as eczema. The nourishing properties in oats come from its combination of flavonoids, phenols and a particular type of polyphenol called avenanthramides. All of these substances act as natural anti-inflammatory agents. Make an oat mask by grinding some whole oats and adding enough honey to make a paste. Clean your face and apply the oats, letting them sit for about twenty minutes. Rinse off with cool water and follow up with a light layer of coconut oil.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Besides being one of my favorite go-to remedies, apple cider vinegar is also amazing on your face. I discovered this by accident when I was searching for a non-toxic way to cleanse my face daily without drying it out. Apple cider vinegar contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which help remove dirt and grime that builds up on the skin over the course of a day. It also helps wash away dead skin cells. I also like using it as a natural toner because it reduces the size of pores when applied topically. I simply dilute a little apple cider vinegar in warm water and dip a cotton ball into the solution for a fresh feeling and clean skin.

Grapeseed Oil

Although it may seem contrary to put an oil on your face, grapeseed oil, in particular, is very lightweight and makes an ideal natural moisturizer. This oil is rich in fatty acids and loaded with the antioxidant oligomeric procyanidin, which is 50 times more potent than vitamins A and E for fighting free radicals. To use, apply a light layer before your makeup and also a light layer before bedtime.

Carrots

Carrots are an excellent tool for fighting free radicals and reducing the signs of premature aging. You will need to steam and mash carrots before you can reap the benefits. After steaming, mix with a little coconut oil and honey to make an all nature age-fighting mask that will hydrate your skin and leave it glowing. After applying the mask, let it sit on your face for about twenty minutes and rinse it off with cool water.

Chia seeds

I love to eat chia seeds in just about anything. They are high in calcium, protein, healthy fat and antioxidants. They make an amazing skin care ingredient because of the nutrient-rich profile. They work deeply to moisturize skin and extinguish irritations. I mix chia seeds with coconut milk to make a fabulously luxurious face mask. Let the mask sit on your face for about fifteen minutes and rinse off with cool water.

Parsley

I have saved the strangest food for the last – parsley. Who would have ever thought of putting an herb like parsley on your face? Parsley is loaded with vitamins and nutrients which help to balance out skin discoloration, help fade any dark spots or acne scars. To benefit from parsley, chop the herb and mix with grapeseed oil and coconut sugar to make a face scrub. Scrub your face with the mixture and rinse with cool water. Follow up with a light layer of coconut oil.

There you have it! Seven foods that are amazing for your skin and face. No more expensive or toxic moisturizers or cleaners needed!

-Susan Patterson