Eating Enough Beauty Foods

Eating certain foods can dramatically improve the appearance of our skin, hair, nails, and eyes.
A diet rich in "phyto-compounds" can stimulate DNA repair, increased collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow. This not only keeps you healthy but it keeps you looking younger longer.
Creams and lotions can do wonders for your skin, but your diet is by far the most crucial when it comes to having healthy skin.
Beauty is dependent on the overall health of your body. In order for your skin to look attractive and vibrant you need to make healthy lifestyle choices, and a great place to start is with the foods you eat.
So if you want your skin to feel soft and look firm here are a few foods that you can eat starting today.
Blueberries: These blue little balls are one of natures most potent anti-aging foods. They help keep the skins elasticity, strengthen the gums, and contribute to the health of our eyes.
Brazil nuts: Help protect our skin from UV rays and they help reduce dryness.
Strawberries: Help protect our skins collagen structures. Collagen is what keeps our skin firm. Wrinkles form when our collagen levels start depleting.
Salmon: Promotes soft smooth skin, free from dry itchy patches.
Avocados: These contain folate which helps blood formation. This is essential for cell regeneration.
Acai: This is the king of all berries. It has 50% more antioxidants than pomegranates, and twice as much as blueberries. They also contain omega 6,9 fatty acids, fiber, calcium, and vitamins.
Apricots: Very rich in fiber and phytochemicals like beta-carotene and lycopene. They also have vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, folate, iron and potassium, making them very beneficial to our skin.
Broccoli: Also very high in fiber, vitamin C, and folate. There's a compound in broccoli called sulforaphane that protects our bodies cells from injury.
Beans: Jammed packed with phytochemicals, fiber, folic acid, protein, calcium, and magnesium. These guys can stabilize blood sugar as well as lower cholesterol.
Black currant: Has a high source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Also contains a high amount of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Carotenoids: This isn't a food, but it's found in fruits and vegetables. It's a fat soluble pigment which helps fight against cancer and cardiovascular disorders.
Carrots: Have lots of beta-carotene which is a powerful antioxidant.
Cruciferous vegetables: A.K.A.- cabbage, broccoli, kale, collard greens, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. These guys release a compound called glucosinolates and an enzyme called myrosinase when chewed, which are known for their anti-cancer properties.
Cranberries: High in vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and citric acid.
Cucumber: A great source of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for increasing collagen production.
Camu-Camu: Very rich in vitamin C.
Dark leafy greens: A.K.A - Spinach, kale, and dark lettuce are loaded with vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, iron, magnesium, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.
Fish: Has lots of vitamin A, B1, B12, and B6. It also has omega 3 fatty acids which are very beneficial to the skin, as well as the heart and brain.
Flax, grapeseed, walnut, seaweed, spirulina, watercress: These are very high in zinc which is vital for the health of our skin. Plus they have been known to help clear up acne, and help keep us regular.
Grape seed oil: Has trace elements of selenium, zinc, copper, and iron. It's also a unique source for oligomeric procyanidine, which is known to improve our skins elasticity.
Honey: A nutrient rich alternative to refined sugar. Refined sugar is believed to contribute to aging.
Myrtle: Is known to slow down our skin aging process. Has been used in folk remedies for centuries.
Millet: A nutritious seed, high in silica, which is good for our skin, hair, and nails.
Oats: Very high in soluble fiber, and complex carbohydrates. High in iron, manganese, phosphorous, calcium, vitamins B and E, and silicon. Silicon is crucial for healthy skin by maintaining collagen levels.
Papaya: When applied as a paste on the skin, it's enzymes help breakdown dead skin cells.
Pomegranate: Very good source of polyphenol antioxidants.  These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that can damage the skin.
Water: Hydrated skin naturally looks younger.
If you are one of the millions of people worldwide that spend money on lotions and creams in an attempt to look better, then it only makes sense to incorporate these beauty foods into your diet.
It wont take very long to start seeing the major benefits these beauty foods will have on the health of your skin and the way it looks and feels.

How to Lighten Your Skin Naturally

As you grow old, freckles and dark sports may start arising. The skin tone changes with time and it does not remain as light as it used to be. Constant exposure to sun can also result in a darker complexion. These undesirable changes can be very frustrating if you are not ready to embrace them.
The good news is that you can lighten your complexion in natural ways. Restoring the natural glow of a weather-beaten skin is possible in easy ways.
Below you will find a compilation of useful natural whitening tips:
Natural Skin Lightening Methods
Prepare a Natural Skin Lightening Cream
Lemon juice and egg white can be used to create a natural skin lightening cream at home.
   1. Take equal amounts of egg white and lemon juice.
   2. Mix these two and heat them on a small frying pan. Wait until the mixture turns semi-solid.
   3. Now remove the paste from the pan and keep it inside a jar. Let the jar cool down in a refrigerator.
   4. Apply the paste on your skin and wait until 15 minutes before rinsing.
It is very effective for removing sun tan. Use this cream every day until you get the desired skin tone.
Use Sunblock Regularly
One of the easiest ways to keep your skin fair and glowing is to use sunblock on a regular basis. Any moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or above can be used as a sunblock.
In the morning, wash your face and apply the moisturizer. The layer of moisturizer on your skin will protect you from sun for a long time. It will prevent undesirable changes in skin tone.
Also, sunblock prevents many other skin diseases caused by harmful ultraviolet rays. Age spots are most prominent in areas around your hands. So, remember to apply sunblock regularly in these areas.
Exfoliate at Least Once a Week
Get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating at least once a week. Exfoliation is more important if your skin is developing dark spots, freckles and skin damages due to old age. Dead cell removal naturally lightens your skin complexion. The skin will also appear brighter as you continue with this practice for over a month.
   1. Take two tablespoons each of brown sugar and oatmeal and mix them with a quarter cup of milk.
   2. Thoroughly stir the mixture until you get a semi-solid paste.
   3. Start scrubbing your face slowly by using this paste. Be as gentle as possible. Scrubbing shouldn't result in further skin damage.
   4. When you are finished with scrubbing, rinse your face with clean water and apply a moisturizer in the end.
Use Homemade Skin Lightening Mask at Least Once a Week
Homemade masks are most commonly used to lighten skin in a natural way. Apply the mask and relax comfortably on the couch or watch TV. Using homemade mask at least once a week will produce noticeable results in two or three weeks.
Preparation and application of a homemade mask is quite easy.
   1. First of all, take one tablespoon each of cucumber juice, lemon juice, tomato juice, and sandalwood paste.
   2. Carefully apply the paste on all areas of your face. Now you need to wait until the paste dries on your face.
   3. Rinse your face with clean water and apply moisture in the end.
Regular application of a homemade mask will give you a naturally glowing skin within 4 weeks.
Use Licorice Extract
A natural skin whitening component called glabridin is present in licorice extract. You can find licorice extract at your nearby health store. If not, you can search for licorice extract on some online health stores.
In the morning and evening, wash your face and apply a thin layer of this extract. Licorice extract should be applied before you moisturize the skin.
You can keep licorice fresh for a long period of time if you store it in a cool and dark place. Some people develop allergic reactions to licorice extract.
Before you apply the extract on face, apply a small amount of the extract on your arm to test for the allergic reaction.
Use a Natural Skin Bleaching Mask
It is very easy to make a bleaching mask at home.
   1. Take a glass of boiling water and steep a teaspoon dried fennel in it.
   2. Wait for at least 40-60 minutes. After about one hour, remove all herbal stuff from the glass of water.
   3. Add a tablespoon of buttermilk to this water. Directly apply the water and buttermilk mixture on your face in a gentle manner.
   4. Let the bleaching mask stay on your face for at least 15-20 minute and rinse with clean water.
Your skin is a part of who you are. It is one of a few things that make you unique and beautiful. Take a good care of your skin by following skin lightening tips mentioned above and remember to love it no matter what color it is.