What to eat to get clearer skin

>The food consume can be as important the serums and creams you apply to your skin

WINTER is a great excuse to ramp up your skincare as blustery winds and central heating play havoc with your complexion but it turns out that watching what you eat can actually work better than any lotion or potion.

Known for her wealth of knowledge on all things health and beauty, Liz Earle has revealed how you can eat your way to clearer, healthy skin this festive period.

“A radiantly healthy-looking face depends on feeding it the right fuel,” the beauty expert told . So what exactly should we be eating? Here, Earle tackles five major skin concerns with foods longheralded for their skin clearing properties.

Fine lines Central heating can really dry out your skin which can exaggerate the feeblest of wrinkles. “Plump up lines with plenty of skin-friendly fats found in plant oils such as olive, rapeseed and flax,” Earle suggests. “Try adding a spoonful to juices or smoothies, or drizzle neat over soups.”

Oily T-zone As well as reducing your sugar intake, Earle recommends a diet high in alkalineforming foods. “Foods such as asparagus, celery and endive together with hedgerow berries, fresh grapefruit, lemons and limes can help keep the area across the forehead, down the nose and over the chin calm and clear.”

Under-eye circles While drinking at least 1.5 litres water is known to tackle this bugbear, Earle also suggests a vegetable prescription that promises to really banish those bags. “Try potassium and magnesium-rich foods – notably leafy greens such as Swiss chard, dark cabbage and kale – together with autumnal squashes, sweet potato (skin on), citrus fruits and papaya.”

Puffiness Skin can often feel swollen and puffy as a result of fluid retention, so diuretic foods like fennel, celery, cucumber and chicory are a great edible solution. Earle says, “My favourite lunchtime dish is smoked mackerel with a poppy seed fennel and white radish salad.”

Rough, flaky skin Flaky skin is a great signifier that your diet needs more Omega-3 which can be boosted by upping your intake of oily fish like Herring, Mackerel, Pilchard, Sardine, Salmon and Tuna. If you don’t eat fish though, Earle says that “Flaxseed and rapeseed oils are a useful substitute as they contain a similar essential fatty acid profile.” – The Independent