What to eat to clear up your skin

Calling all beauty enthusiasts — something truly beautiful is launching at IMAGE Publications. 2019 will see the very first IMAGE Beauty Festival take place in Dublin city, with every cleanser, curler, concealer and colour you could possibly dream of. With speakers, demonstrations, tutorials and plenty of products, this will be like nothing the Irish beauty scene has seen before. Stay tuned for more information on IMAGE.ie.

If you want a clear face, first you must start with your diet. We consult skincare guru Jennifer Rock (theskinnerd.com) about what to eat to bring out the best in our skin.

Vitamin C
Found in oranges, citrus fruits, bell peppers, cauliflower
“I truly rate vitamin C; it is essential for the production of collagen and elastin and helps colour issues in the skin,” says Jennifer Rock. “It also supports the capillary network, so strengthens the vascular appearance, which is a complaint of many on this island.” We as humans don’t make it, so need to ingest enough of it daily, and it’s water soluble, so you can’t overdose – you’ll simply expell any excess.

Fatty Acids
Found in nuts, seeds, broccoli 
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential to give skin a healthy glow. They hydrate pores from the inside out and protect from environmental damage. Achieving a balance of their properties can elevate firmness and elasticity in your skin – the two key components of maintaining a healthy looking and feeling complexion.
These are the vitamins and minerals that act as buffers to protect our organs and bodies from the rigours of modern life. They are also essential for effective detoxification, which in turn has significant effects on the skin’s complexion – when the body is detoxing properly, we look great, with clear skin and shining eyes.

Vitamin A
Found in carrots, berries, sweet potatoes
“As controversial as it is, I’m a firm promoter of vitamin A intake orally,” says Rock. “It is an integral component for cell DNA repair and in turn assists the health cycle of a skin cell. It also triggers the skin’s own hyaluronic acid production, speeds its exfoliation cycle, improves texture and elasticity, and boosts collagen production – a must-have for all unless contraindicated – pregnancy, taking certain medications or breastfeeding.”

Probiotics
Found in yogurt, dark chocolate, pickles
Gut health is essential for so many bodily functions and processes, with skin (the body’s largest organ) being no exception. Getting the gut microbiotics environment right is essential for good, clear, glowing skin.

Zinc
Found in spinach, poultry, seafood
In some cases, zinc deficiency can be responsible for irritated pores, dryness, acne and even the white spots on fingernails. By upping zinc intake, you’re promoting healthy skin that renews itself as it should, making it the perfect pick for warding off spots and flakiness.

CoQ10
Can be bought as supplements 
This co-enzyme is a game-changer. It’s the final element in the energy chain, and both to bodies and skin is defined as a youth booster, heading straight into the cell’s mitochondria (or “engine room”) to generate cellular energy. It’s a natural antioxidant that scavenges the body for free radicals, plus it aids in the growth of cells to minimise the appearance of fine lines.

Vitamin E
Found in eggs, avocado, sunflower seeds
The fat-soluble vitamin that is responsible for healthy blood vessels, thus aiding in the repairing of your skin. It also works with selenium to clear out toxins and toxic metals from the body, in turn preventing the onset of premature aging in your pores.