#5 Good Skin Food

Another secret to good-looking skin is having a proper diet that is packed with lots of nutrients. Below are the top 10 skin food you should look out for:

Whole Grains

The whole grain buckwheat is a good source for the antioxidant rutin, which helps combat inflammation-related skin damage. Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don't have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly. 

In general, whole grains instead of processed carbohydrates can improve your complexion. Processed (or refined) flours can cause an insulin spike, which in turn can encourage acne.

Grapes

Grapes have medical properties as they are known to heal and smooth your skin. The extract from grapes is said to protect against skin inflammation. It is highly concentrated in vitamin E, flavonoids and linoleic acid, all powerful free radical fighters. This helps to prevent all signs of ageing, as well as soothe sun-damaged and acne-prone skin.


Tomatoes

Tomatoes are natural antioxidants. They are rich in vitamin C and lycopene. It has inflammatory and antioxidant properties that boosts skin healing and collagen production. The combination of vitamin C and lycopene is great for skin regeneration.


Cherries

Look no more if you are looking to brighten your skin. A single cherry can pack more vitamin C than an orange. Hence, it speeds up collagen production, accelerates healing, eliminates free radicals and is said to reverse skin damage.


Organic Green Tea

This drink contains polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory characteristics.  And despite what they say, a good tea will not dehydrate your body, it will only work as an anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent that’ll keep bacteria at bay and will fight off those free radicals that make our skin age early.


Olive Oil 

They are one of the top sources of beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that helps repair and renew your skin to give it a youthful glow.


Walnuts

Walnut is high in fiber, in heart-healthy essential fatty acids, and in certain vitamins and minerals. If you want a healthy, glowing complexion, these walnuts are good additions to your diet. Consider eating walnuts as part of your overall skincare regimen. 


Dark Leafy Green

Leafy green are full of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Leafy greens also contain a lot of water, which helps keep you hydrated and contributes to beautiful skin and hair. Leafy greens that contain beta-carotene, such as collard greens, spinach, and Swiss chard, contribute to the growth and repair of the body's tissues. Beta-carotene may also protect your skin against sun damage. 

Salmon

Add luster and softness to your complexion by feasting on salmon, a fish with one of the richest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats nourish the skin by reducing the body's production of inflammatory substances, decreasing clogged pores, and averting fine lines and wrinkles.


Mangoes

Mangoes are rich in vitamin A which  can give glow to the skin. Vitamin A deficiency can cause dull skin, open pores, acnes as well as horny eruptions on arms, elbows and knees. Mango pulp is useful to treat pimples and acnes. Simply apply the pulp on your skin for 10 minutes before washing it off.


Referenced from Her World Special, July 2012 and various other sources. 
Disclaimer: These information is strictly taken for academic purpose. No infringement is intended. 

#4 My Skincare Routines Revealed

I mentioned earlier that I don't usually have a skincare routine. At present, however, I do try to follow some of the necessary steps. The basic skincare routines I follow are as described below. The critical ones are marked with an *.


*Wake up 
Apply eye cream, wash face with warm/cold water, [rinse off face with warm water if sleeping mask is applied the day before] - you will feel more refreshed.


[Optional] Apply day cream as well


Before going out
1. Apply moisturizer (Especially before wearing make up)
2. Apply sunscreen (I choose to ignore this step though - I don't do outdoor activities much)


Outside
1. Use a face mist spray (I don't do this unless I stay in an air-conditioned room for more than 10 hours)
2. Use oil absorbing sheet if you have oily face (I don't recommend it though. Rumour has it that it contains chemicals that make you produce more oil and thus clog more pores - Not for me anyway since my skin doesn't belong to the oily type)


During shower 

For face:
1. Remove make up (I'm using Hada Labo make-up remover and Loreal lip + eye make-up remover with cotton wool pads - I seldom make up though)
*2. Apply cleanser (I'm using Organature, Herb Day 365 and White Tree Snow exfoliating (twice per week only because it has whitening effects) foam cleansers interchangeably)
3. Toner (Optional. I skip this step though. Toner is usually high in alcohol or other ingredients which can leave your skin feeling dry. After applying the toner, it burns and stings and I find that my breakouts have somehow become worse. Since then I never use a toner anymore even hough toners are said to remove traces of dirt, makeup, cleanser residue and excess oil. It is not true that toners help to close pores. Experts say it is not a skincare necessity. They are more suitable for those with oily skin.)
4. Apply mask 3 or 4 times per week (I'm using Real Nature mask pack and pore care pack. I only apply mask once or twice per week though)
5. Serum (I never follow this step)
6. Apply moisturizer (Optional; I'm using Arsainte Eco-Therapy daily moisturizer - It's still better to use lotion-based rather than cream-based)
7. Apply night cream [Optional]

For body:
1. Wash your body (I'm using Dove body wash) 
2. Exfoliate (I'm using Sake clarifying gel body scrub once or twice per week)

Before going to bed
*1. Apply eye cream
*2. Put on sleeping mask and leave it till next day (I'm using Raspberry roots sleeping mask - love it as the smell is fragrant)

Basically that's about it.  

Description of Raspberry roots sleeping mask taken from the packaging:

Skin problems? Try sleeping on it with this overnight beauty mask and wake up to porcelain smooth skin. Humalayan Raspberry Roots and Grains Extracts optimize elasticity and tighten pores while thoroughly hydrating and replenishing skin of lost nutrients. Additions of plant extracts in the formulation promote the natural secretion of pleasure-inducing beta endorphins and stimulate the formation of collagen for more youthful skin.

I really love this sleeping mask. It has since done wonders to my face :)