The skin is one of the important organs of the body. Aside from serving as protection to the body’s internal structures, the skin also functions to regulate the balance of the body temperature through physiological processes, such as sweating.
The skin has three parts: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or the fatty layer of the skin.
The epidermis is the thin and tough outer layer of the skin. It is made up of cells called keratinocytes and it also serves as a cradle to Langehans cells which are included in the skin’s immune system. With the Langerhans cells, the skin is also contributes in the development of skin allergies.
On the other hand, the dermis is the next layer, comprised of a thick layer of fibrous and elastic tissue. The dermis has receptors for pain, pressure, touch, and temperature. It also has sweat glands that are responsible for sweating when the body experiences heat or stress. The dermis also has sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum into hair follicles, making the skin soft and moist.
Meanwhile, the subcutaneous layer or the hypodermis is the fatty layer of the skin. It acts as the body’s insulator against heat and cold. Since the skin part is also made of fat, it also acts as a storage of energy.
With the skin’s power to maintain the body’s health, it is important to treat it with care. Through nutrition, a person can maintain the health of the skin. The following are known as the best foods for a healthy skin.
Chocolates
Aside from a dessert, chocolates are considered as foods to maintain the skin’s health. According to Fitness Magazine, chocolates have cocoa, which makes the skin more supple and firmer. “Ageless Face, Ageless Mind” author and board-certified New York City dermatologist Nicholas Perricone told the publication that chocolates, particularly the dark ones, have high levels of potent antioxidants called flavonoids. Perricone recommended that eating a couple of squares of chocolates with at least 70 percent cacao per day should be adequate to enhance the luminosity of the skin. “Feed Your Face” author and dermatologist Jessica Wu also told the publication that caffeine in chocolate, when applied topically, might reduce skin puffiness temporarily.
Strawberries
When it comes to skin aging, strawberries may come to the rescue. In his interview with Health, Perricone said that strawberries contained more anti-aging Vitamin C per serving, as compared to grapefruit and oranges. Vitamin C helps get rid of free radicals, which contribute to cell damage. In addition, Vitamin C helps in the prevention of collagen breakdown, which results to fine lines. According to a study published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” people who ate foods that are rich in Vitamin C had less wrinkles and age-related skin dryness, as compared to those who did not. New York City’s Cornelia Day Resort primary aesthetician Ramona Ionescu said that eating Vitamin C-rich foods daily or applying a natural berry mask one to two times a week can help one have the skin smoother and more hydrated.
Pepper
Among the spices category, peppers, which can be green, red, and yellow in color, can also help in the promotion of the skin’s health. In the same interview with Fitness Magazine, Wu said that women who ate green and yellow vegetables regularly tended to have fewer wrinkles, especially around the eye area. This is supported by evidenced-based data from studies, saying that yellow and orange vegetables have antioxidants called carotenoids, which can reduce the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Along with food and nutrition, skin’s optimal health can also be preserved through regular exercise, adequate sleep and rest, and right attitude.
