Skin Care and Nutrition

It’s pretty well-known that good nutrition is important for general health and well-being, but would you believe us if we said that your nutrition has a huge impact on your skin, as well?

Well, believe it, because nutrition absolutely plays a big role in skin care. 

Granted, it’s important to always use high-quality creams, exfoliants, and other skin care essentials like you'll find within any of Vine Vera's numerous skin care collections, but if you can augment your skin care routine with good nutrition, the results will be even more stunning. If this sounds appealing (which, we dare say, it certainly should), keep reading, because we're about to share some juicy skin-care-meets-nutrition tips for your benefit.

Vitamins and Minerals for Radiance

Your body needs trace amounts of a variety of vitamins and minerals—substances it can't produce on its own—to function at peak efficiency and keep all your cells in good repair. You can take a multivitamin every day, or individual supplements for various needs, but it's best to get as much as possible from food. Fruits, vegetables, and especially leafy greens are essential for this. Below are a few to keep in mind.

Kale: This cabbage variant is chock-full of vitamin K and copper. Vitamin K will help tremendously when it comes to brightening dark circles, and copper will work together with sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

Swiss Chard: This one tastes great in salads and juices, and it's full of biotin, which will help make your hair stronger and easier to grow out.

Collard Greens: This one's got a huge vitamin profile, with vitamins B, C, and K, all at a concentration such that one serving will give you your 100% DV for each. Combined, these vitamins are great for a glowing complexion.

Cucumber: leave the peels on! It can be tempting to peel cucumbers before eating, but the peels are full of caffeic acid, which can help sensitive skin respond better to irritants, and silica, which will boost collagen production. The whole fruit (yes, cucumber is technically a fruit) contains vitamin C, too, and you can never have too much of that.

Antioxidants for Healthy Skin

Antioxidants prevent free radicals—particles that, when left to their own devices, wreak havoc on cell structure and health—from forming, which results in healthier cells all over your body. On your skin, this shows as radiant, soft, supple skin that's more resistant to damage. You can find lots of antioxidants in red wine, dark chocolate (the darker the better), dark leafy greens like spinach, and dark fruits like pomegranate, blackberry, acai berry, and blueberry. Remember, too, that vitamin C (in addition to its myriad other benefits) is an antioxidant, so regular citrus fruit consumption is a great idea too.

Sulfur-Bearing Amino Acids for Strong Hair and Nails

Blend some hemp seed and spirulina into your next smoothie to simultaneously reap the benefits of sulfur-bearing amino acids that will give you stronger hair and nails, allowing you to grow them longer and stronger with less chance of breakage. Spirulina's rich amino acid profile also makes it an excellent source of of protein, and you can find it mixed into chocolates and other snacks at health food stores.