9 acne fighting foods found in your salad

Salads are colorful, delicious, incredibly nutritious and of course satisfies our hunger. But, what if we told you that a simple salad could perhaps help you in your battle against acne? With a combination of vegetables and fruits, pure goodness and satisfying your skin’s hunger can be accomplished. Let’s take a closer look at what’s hiding in your salad plate!

1. Lettuce

What is a salad without this vegetable green leaves? This king of all vegetables is packed with moisture, energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and good sugars. Here are some pointers that cater to your skin.

• Lettuce is a great source of vitamin A which helps in maintaining healthy skin from its antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin C an antioxidant is also found in lettuce allowing to fight infections and inflammations on the skin.
• Sun protection is an advantage from eating lettuce as it has beta-carotene. Yes, beta-carotene containing things don’t have to be orange or yellow!

2. Tomatoes

These big juicy red “fruits” are full of vitamin C and lycopene. The vitamin C promotes collagen production, while lycopene is great for fighting free radicals and sun damage.

• Tomatoes also contain manganese, potassium, flavonoids all are natural anti-inflammatories.
• With having such a high water content, tomatoes are a great way to hydrate your skin.

3. Cucumbers

The saying ‘cool as a cucumber’ is spot on. Cucumbers are indeed known to cool the body and are considered to be packed with skin care benefits.

• Hydrating your cells can be easily done by eating cucumbers which have 95% of water.
• A good amount of vitamin C is also found in cucumbers. But remember not to peel the skin as that’s where most of vitamin C is located.
• Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K are also sourced from the cucumber.
• Potassium, magnesium and silicon are skin-friendly minerals that are found in cucumbers.

4. Seeds(pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds)

Seeds come in all shapes, colours and tastes with also greatly benefiting the skin.

• Zinc, an important source of acne free skin is found in all seeds.
• For a youthful appearance, vitamin E is also an advantage from eating seeds.
• Building healthy new skin cells is also promoted from consuming seeds.
• Pumpkin seeds are well known for their anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
• Keeping skin supple and moisterized from the inside out, flaxseeds are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Dark berries

Why wash your face for pimple-free skin when you could just eat a smoothie? Just kidding! Please wash your face with the tasty colourful dark berries!

• Blueberries has a high concentration of salicylic acid (that is widely used in topical acne treatment products). Its ability to remove dead skin, open clogged pores, and act against bacteria makes it a very effective treatment for acne.
• Anthocyanocides and polyphenols are two antioxidants found in abundance in blackberries. These help in fighting free radicals. The collagen-forming Vitamin C and Vitamin A make it only more appropriate for the skin.
• The regular consumption of blackberries protects the skin against the damaging UVA and UVB rays and aids in skin cell renewal.
• Blackberries are comprised of more than 85% water and fibre that are essential for a healthy-looking skin.
• Vitamins A, C and K in blackberries are excellent for skin rejuvenation. Their omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids-rich seeds are vital for healthy skin.
• Here’s an effective face mask recipe for skin rejuvenation! Grind a bunch of blackberries. Blend these with some fresh yoghurt. Add a pinch of nutmeg powder and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Apply this mask evenly on your face and neck. Wash off after 25 to 30 minutes with lukewarm water.
• Blackberries are great for cleansing and detoxification of oily skin too.

6. Carrots

Carrots serve as the perfect crunchy snack to dip in hummus, or great for eye vision. But did you know they can benefit the skin too!

• The carotenoids found in carrots are also helpful in protecting the skin from free radical damage from the sun.
• The overproduction of cells in the skin’s outer layer can be prevented by the vitamin A found in carrots. Carrots prevent clogged pores! Yes!
• Eating these veggies can help reduce acne and prevent blemishes by reducing inflammation and encouraging cell turnover with the help of beta-carotene.

7. Lemons

Lemons have some acne fighting qualities however, this is one of the cheapest fruits to buy for clear skin.

• The acid in lemon juice has mildly astringent qualities. The astringents work by constricting the body tissues and pushing the oil out of your skin.
• The citric acid acts as an antiseptic to help reduce the number of bacteria that are living inside or on top of your skin.
• Clarifying moisturizer: Mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. The coconut will hydrate your skin, and lemon will clear and brighten it.
• Lemon Juice and Yogurt Acne Scars Mask. Lemon juice helps in curing acne and lightening acne scars while yogurt has a soothing effect on your skin, especially over the areas that are inflamed.

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl.
2. After it is mixed well, take a cotton ball and dip it into the mixture.
3. Squeeze out the excess solution and apply it all over your face, concentrating on areas that are affected by acne.
4. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes to allow your skin to absorb its goodness.
5. Rinse it off with cold water and gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
6. Repeat this every day to treat acne and remove those scars as well.

8. Extra virgin olive oil

Olive oil is packed full of MuFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids). These little fatty acids keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

• It is known for strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Improves the balance of bacteria in the gut by slowing down the growth of bad unwanted bacteria.

9. Balsamic vinegar

If you’re reading this right now and thinking about the salad you eat every single day that you generously pour Balsamic vinegar all over, check the label on the bottle and make sure your Balsamic vinegar is just made out of grapes!

• Polyphenols that are antioxidants are found in Balsamic vinegar. They help to protect your skin cells.
• The grapes found in the vinegar help to fight acne.
• Reducing the insulin reaction within the blood stream is also an advantage from eating salad with balsamic vinegar.

BONUS: Italian-Style Salad for Acne Free Skin

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Total time: 10 mins
• Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 3-4 oz.(90-120g) of dark green or red leaf lettuce (e.g. romaine, rocket – I like combining 2 parts of regular lettuce with 1 part of rocket for a bit of spiciness)
• 1 large tomato
• 1 cup cucumber
• 4 oz. (120g) of cooked chicken breast (optional)
• 3 tbsp of seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds)
• 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the leaves, shred them using your hands – don’t use a knife. Chop the chicken breast. Slice tomatoes and cucumbers. Add everything to a bowl. Sprinkle the seeds on top.
2. Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small cup with salt and pepper. Keep mixing until everything emulsifies. Pour it over the remaining ingredients in the bowl, mix well and serve.
3. Enjoy and notice clearer skin!

What we put in our bodies has a big impact on all of our organs including the skin which is the biggest one. Food can help improve the appearance of the skin, but when it comes to some form of acne such as chronic, severe and/or body acne which are persistent, it is important to consider taking a treatment that will impact the cause of the problem. AcnEase is an all botanical andclinically tested acne treatment that is safe for everyone regardless of race, background, gender, age or whatever stage in your hormonal cycle. AcnEase will help control existing acne and prevent new ones from forming.

Learn more about the science behind AcnEase.

We want to hear from you! What’s your favourite salad? What are your secrets for keeping acne away? Did you try the new Rejuvel 3D? Tell us in the comments below!