Aside from living a stress-free life, drinking plenty of (still & filtered) water, regularly exercising and having a good skincare regime (cleanse your face morning, night and after exercising) - many people don't consider the foods they eat to play a part in your complexion.
The following foods are great for cleansing your skin and leaving it glowing!
NETTLES
Tea/Soup
Nettles can be a nuisance in your garden but as a hot drink in the evening or transformed into a soup they have have an anti-inflammatory effect on your body, calming the skin and in turn helping to improve acne. Nettles are also incredibly detoxifying thanks to the high levels of antioxidants they contain.
DARK BERRIES
Breakfast topping/Snack
Berries are packed with fibre which makes them great to have as a snack or on your morning oats - leaving you feeling fuller for longer and regulating insulin production. They are also high in antioxidants which we already know to be great for clearing the skin!
PEPPERMINT
Tea
This is a particular favourite of mine. I have a plant pot growing it by the window in my kitchen. A couple of sprigs in almost-boiled water is the last thing I drink before I go to bed. Peppermint is known for its powerful healing and calming properties whilst aiding digestion. Peppermint is a well-known stress-reliever which is a catalyst for acne, not only that but it treats headaches and clears your sinuses. This plant is fantastic for your skin!
NUTS
Snack
[Specifically pumpkin seeds + Brazil nuts]
A handful of these with berries is my go-to 3 o'clock snack. They contain vitamin E, potassium, calcium and iron, all essential for you skin's health.
TOMATOES
Salad/Roasted
High in vitamin C which aids in collagen production to keep the skin firm and tight.
WATERCRESS
Salad
Make sure your salad is never without a handful of watercress. Jam-packed with antioxidants and minerals. Watercress is a potent cleansing agent, helping to flush out any toxins in the body. It also removes excess fluids from the body. Goodbye bloating!
FENNEL
Tea/Roasted
Never top of my shopping list but this root vegetable aids digestion, flushes excess fluids and toxins and helps reduce swelling.
LEGUMES
Dinner
For skin cells to repair, your body needs plenty of protein. This is why a stir fry of mine is never without beans and lentils! And no, not baked beans - I'm talking about; cannellini, kidney, butter, azuki etc. A great source of minerals + vitamins, also high in fibre aiding digestion + assisting the body to detoxify.
KALE
Smoothie/Juice/Soup
Containing most letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, E & K (okay maybe not quite most of them!) - add it to a smoothie, juice or soup for some serious detoxifying! You can also cook them into tasty crisps.
OTHER FOODS
Red grapes (+ their seeds), beetroot, tofu, brown rice, avocado, garlic, broccoli, artichoke, eggs, green tea, sweet potato, acai, mackerel, salmon (+ other cold water fish).
Clearer skin here we come!