DIY ELIXIRS

The secret to soft, glowing skin is all in your kitchen. Here’s how to make your own skin and hair beauty treatments. They make great gifts, too!

Make your own all-natural skin and hair beauty treatments. (Hint: check your pantry)

Having an enviable radiant glow is something many of us aspire to. Yet with our fast-paced lifestyles and daily stressors taking their toll, it can be a challenge to keep our skin in top-notch condition.

Aside from drinking plenty of water each day, there are lots of fresh foods you can enjoy that help with maintaining a healthy glow.

• Oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, anchovies and tuna, are all high in omega-3s, which reduce inflammation and keep your skin moisturised. They’re also rich in protein, vitamin E and zinc, all of which are essential for supple, soft and clear skin.

• Walnuts, chia seeds, linseeds (flaxseeds) and sunflower seeds also contain varying quantities of omega-3s, selenium, zinc and vitamin E to nourish and protect your skin cells.

• Avocados contain healthy fats to moisturise and soothe your skin. They’re also high in vitamins E and C, important antioxidants for healthy skin.

• Dark leafy greens are loaded with antioxidants and chlorophyll to fight free radical damage that causes collagen to break down. Choose the darkest greens possible, such as kale, spinach or rocket: they help neutralise free radicals from UV light and provide a great source of skin-forming vitamins A and C too.

• Sweet potato is another skin soother. An excellent source of beta-carotene, it protects your skin from sun damage.

• A healthy dose of beta-carotene can be found in any yellow and orange fruits and other vegetables, as well as vibrant leafy greens.

• Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production.

• Tomatoes contain all the major carotenoids that protect your skin from sun damage, and could even prevent wrinkles.

• Turmeric, ginger and fermented foods can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which in turn can calm your skin.

Help is literally at hand! All you need is to combine these powerful ingredients in the most effective way.