In past blogs, we’ve discussed natural ways to delay signs of aging like wearing sunscreen every day and avoiding smoking, but did you know consuming certain vitamins and antioxidants can also help slow the aging process?  According to a recent article by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that cited WebMD’s Supplements for Healthy Skin, what goes into your body has an impact on your appearance. Toxins are likely to affect your complexion, but if you give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs, then you’re more likely to have healthy skin.

Vitamin A is a retinol, which is a common ingredient in many anti-aging skin care products and aids cell growth; vitamin E works to regulate retinol levels. The antioxidant, CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), guards against cell damage, and Vitamin C is beneficial for tissue growth and repair. Selenium is known for its ability to protect against sun damage and wrinkles.

Although all of these vitamins are available as oral supplements, we suggest eating a healthy diet to gain the benefits of these antioxidants. It’s a good idea to speak with a nutritionist about the amount of a vitamin you should be eating to stay healthy. However, there are certain foods we should all add to our diets. Nuts, fruits (especially berries), and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals. Specifically, Brazil nuts are high in selenium, and Swiss chard is rich in vitamin E. Although most people relate citrus fruits to vitamin C, peppers are also packed with vitamin C. CoQ10 is found in vegetables like broccoli and spinach, but foods like oily fish, meats, and eggs have more of this antioxidant. We know how important a well-balanced diet is, so we must also report that dark chocolate is known for being high in antioxidants that work to protect the skin and smooth the complexion.

ASAPS’s article also explains how important hydration is for healthy skin. Drinking water not only flushes harmful toxins from the body, but it also helps keep the body functioning properly and the skin glowing. It’s important to understand there’s much more to skin care than what’s going into your body—you have to take care of it from the outside in as well as the inside out. In addition to physically drinking water, be sure you’re also hydrating your skin with lotion. Certain skin care products and treatments can also help keep your skin looking great. Schedule a skin analysis consultation today if you’re interested in finding out which treatment will best meet your needs.

At AYA Medical Spa, we understand that skin care is all about balance: a balanced diet and balanced skin care routine are key to healthy skin. For skin care tips and news, find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.