By Gotlhokwang Angoma-Mzini
Feed your face
You spend a lot of time thinking about how to feed your body, now it’s time to think about how to use food to nourish your face.
Reinvigorate
WITH: açai and goji berries and pomegranate extract
EVIDENCE: While no food can turn back the clock, some can perk up your appearance. According to Lisa Leibov, director at Imbalie Training Academy, vitamin C (which pomegranates, berries and açai are high in) can help you retain firm, youthful skin, plus it minimises excess pigment formation.
TRY: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Miracle Hydrating Mist (R350). Use it in the morning, post-sweat session, pre-touch-up or before you get your beauty sleep. Perfect for your on-the-go travel needs.
READ MORE: 3 Sneaky Ways You Can Winter-Proof Your Skin
Nourish
WITH: green and rooibos tea
EVIDENCE: Are you a tea person? Good on you. Tea is packed with antioxidants and a study in The Journal of Nutrition found that people who sipped brews containing green tea had skin that was more elastic and smooth than those who didn’t. The catechins in the leaves boost oxygen and blood flow to the skin, which delivers key nutrients to keep your complexion healthy. Rooibos is packed with antioxidants too!
TRY: African Extracts Rooibos Nourishing Night Cream (R59). The non-greasy cream gives your skin the nourishing benefits of powerful antioxidants. On waking, your skin will be smooth, supple and rehydrated.
READ MORE: 6 Things That’ll Happen To Your Skin If You Don’t Moisturise
Brighten
WITH: carrots
EVIDENCE: It’s no secret: carrot-filled treatments are great for you. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which fends off free-radical damage that causes fine lines and brown spots. Beta-carotene give a natural glow to your skin, making it more attractive and beautiful. Hello, I-just- ran-a-10K-in-the-park glow!
TRY: Environ Balancing Masque (R195). It will gently polish skin and unclog pores while hydrating.
READ MORE: 4 Ways To Keep Your Sweat Sessions From Messing With Your Skin
Hydrate
WITH: marula
EVIDENCE: Marula has natural vitamin E oils that restore and rejuvenate dehydrated skin and help your skin recover from sunburn, says Samantha Lockhart, beauty trainer at MatsiMela. Plus you can use it to lighten dark spots and heal dry cuticles. While some products use synthetic vitamin E, you’re looking for the natural stuff – it’s biologically similar to skin so the absorption rate is much faster.
TRY: MatsiMela Marula Nut Bath & Massage Oil (R110). This oil has healing properties as well as soothing characteristics for tired muscles.
READ MORE: FYI – You’re Using WAY Too Much Of These 7 Skin And Hair Products
Beautify
WITH: honey
EVIDENCE: Honey is not only a natural humectant – it retains moisture – it also has powerful antimicrobial properties. The result? It helps keep skin free of impurities that could cause pores to become infected, leading to breakouts.
TRY: Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream (R895). This cream renews skin for a smoother texture and healthy radiance. It contains New Zealand Manuka honey, which strengthens your skin’s barrier to smooth fine lines.
READ MORE: 11 Beauty Buys That Will Save Your Skin While You Sleep
Clarify
WITH: whole grains, such as oats
EVIDENCE: That’s right, the breakfast of champions has the ability to reboot and rebalance your skin and is a major player in skin health. According to Leibov it encourages your skin to speed up the cycle of replacing dead surface cells with new, healthy cells, prevents excess oil production and minimises excess pigment formation (so long, dark spots!).
TRY: Yardley Oatmeal Even Skin Brightening Scrub/Mask (R90). This exfoliator will help remove excess oil from your skin and leave your face feeling fresh and clean.
Looking for more? Check our expert skincare advice.
