External beauty is a reflection of internal health and I believe the secrets to beautiful skin are healthy living habits, preventative measures and the reduction of stress in one’s life. I try to achieve these three goals by eating superfoods, protecting my skin from sun damage and simply being happy.
A fresh face starts with fresh produce in your grocery bag. Two essentials that are always on my grocery list are organic large carrots and baby spinach. The girls in my house live on carrots because they are easy to grab as you run to class and a healthy choice when you just need to snack on something. Carrots are full of Vitamin A, which not only clears breakouts by preventing the overproduction of cells in the skin’s outer layer, but is also great for your eyes. As someone who purposely tried to fail vision tests in elementary school just so I could wear cute glasses, I know first hand that my 20/20 vision is a testament to my love of carrots.
While there once was I time that I pinched my nose in order to force down spinach at the dinner table; I now recognize my mom was not torturing me, but rather helping me to develop healthy living habits. Spinach is my favorite vegetable not just for the taste, but also for the many health benefits it affords. It is believed that these veggies may help repair and maintain DNA, which means cells are better able to renew themselves. This not only makes skin appear plumper and less wrinkled, but can also help prevent the growth of cancerous skin tumors, according to the International Journal of Cancer.
Personally, I sauté spinach in olive oil and garlic for dinner or blend it up in smoothies for breakfast. My favorite combination is spinach, celery, lime, green apple, flavored coconut water, and a few ice cubes. I tend to get some inquisitive looks while drinking green goop, but it tastes a lot better than it looks. Even more appetizing – sometimes I add frozen blueberries, which creates a nice brownish, greenish color. Lucky for me, no one ever wants a sip.
One of my mother’s favorite expressions is “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Tanning beds and even laying on a beach causes irrevocable damage to our skin that leads to sunspots, wrinkles, and skin cancer. I’m not saying you need to wear a rash guard on the beach (like my brothers and I were forced to do) but always wear sunscreen on your hands, chest, and face, as these areas signal aging first.
Since giving up my Jersey girl tanning days, I have discovered three amazing products. First, Kate Somerville’s sunless tanning towelettes are easy to apply and very natural looking. Combined with St. Tropez sunless tanner, these two products are the perfect solution for a last minute invite or date when it’s too late for a spray tan. Finally, I apply Estee Lauder Beauty Benefit BB Crème every morning, which evens out my skin and also has SPF 35. It is very natural and does not feel like you have any make up on. Don’t just take my word for it, Allure magazine ranked it as 2013 Best of Beauty winner.
As the fabulous Audrey Hepburn once said, “For beautiful eyes, look for good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
I strongly believe that wellness and beauty are inextricably linked and the secret to looking beautiful is feeling beautiful. Sleep in late on Sundays, fill your room with scented candles, and take bubble baths on the regular. Life may be full of stress and worries, but it is also full of people to meet, challenges to conquer, and experiences to share. The most beautiful people are those that are beautiful on the inside and willing to share that with everyone around them.