By now you’ve probably heard the rumors—sugar is essentially aging on speed. For those of you with an unforgiving sweet tooth, don’t despair. You can satisfy your sugar cravings with some naturally sweet fruits that actually slow down the aging process! So dig in for a healthy 5-minute treat!
Lather Up with Lemon
Lemons are praised as a remedy for annoying blackheads and unwanted wrinkles. Loaded with collagen-stimulating vitamin C, lemons help firm and tone the skin. A natural antiseptic, lemons are also rich in citric acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid that helps slough off dead skin cells and treat skin conditions like acne and eczema.
Test it out as a scrub: combine sugar and lemon, and gently remove rough, dry skin for a smooth glow.
For a more soothing treatment (or as after sun care) mix lemon with honey and apply to face or body as a 10-minute mask.
Get a Sun-kissed Glow with Kiwi
Did you know that kiwis contain more vitamin C than oranges (approximately 137.2 milligrams per serving, in fact). Collagen is a protein that keeps skin firm, smooth, and hydrated. Vitamin C is the ultimate collagen and elastin booster!
Kiwis are also packed with vitamin E, which has been proven to lower your risk for skin cancer caused by sun exposure. One study demonstrated that eating kiwis for several weeks can even impart a tan-like glow to your skin!
Anti-Age with Avocado
Avocados boast a nutritional profile full of antioxidant carotenoids: alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These antioxidants are powerhouses when it comes to neutralizing environmental damage from free radicals, thereby stalling the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Treat your skin to an avocado mask and see for yourself! Slice open an avocado, mash up, and apply to skin for 10-15 minutes. Or you can get fancy and mix the avocado mash with other skin-saving ingredients like lemon and honey.
Boost Antioxidant Protection with Berries
Berries are replete with antioxidant superpowers. They’ve got anthocyanin, the pigment that stains the berries purple, red, or blue, and combats free radical damage before it can show on your skin. They also contain ellagic acid, which defends against UV damage and also inhibits the activation of enzymes that destroy skin-building collagen and elastin.
In addition to the antioxidant blend, berries are natural vascular constrictors, which means they help reduce inflammation and redness in sensitive skins. Blend berries into a daily smoothie to make sure you’re boosting antioxidant intake!
Tone with Tomatoes
According to a 2012 study conducted by scientists at the University of Manchester, tomatoes not only defend against UV damage, but also inhibit the ability of enzymes to break down collagen in skin. Lead researcher Professor Lesley Rhodes explains: “The tomato diet significantly boosted the level of the protein procollagen, which helps keep the skin supple. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin aging process. This is in addition to the significant reduction in sunburn.”
Tomatoes get their superpowers from the antioxidant lycopene, which protects against free radical damage and strengthens the skin. Whether it be whole, juiced, or pureed in a pasta sauce, tomatoes can help slow, and apparently reverse, the aging process!
