Prepare/maintain your skin using micronutrition and herbal medicine

Without protection, the sun can burn the skin, causing premature aging, and in the most repeated and serious cases, pathologies that can lead to cancer. That's why, to have beautiful skin, it is essential to protect it, with a sunscreen with SPF 50, or even 50+. This does not prevent tanning, on the contrary, but it will prevent burning. Reapplication should be repeated if sun exposure is prolonged.

But to have beautiful skin with a radiant complexion and glow, this isn't the only trick. Indeed, you can rely on little tips on (micro)nutrition and phytotherapy to optimize the quality of your skin. To prepare your skin for the sun, boost your tan, make it last, and limit the appearance of signs of aging, the key words are "nourish," "protect," "soothe," and "regenerate"... We'll tell you everything!

(Micro)nutrition of the skin

#1 - Antioxidants

Free radicals, inevitably formed by many of the body's mechanisms, affect the structure of our cells and are responsible for premature aging of the skin. To combat this phenomenon, the best solution remains the consumption of antioxidants. This term includes certain vitamins (A, C, E), minerals (selenium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese), polyphenols and other micronutrients. Their role is to help cells protect themselves from free radicals. They allow the skin to be more resistant to UV rays, and to boost the production of melanin, for a dream complexion without the harmful effects of the sun. They are mainly found in fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, but also in certain fatty products (oils, oily fish, etc.) for vitamin E.

#2 - Carotenoids

To boost your tan and look healthy, there's nothing like these small molecules that give certain foods their orange color. These include beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. It's easy to recognize foods that contain them since most are orange: carrots, pumpkins, apricots, melons, mangoes, etc. But they're also found in tomatoes, watercress, cabbage, spinach, and more.

Remember that to preserve most of these micronutrients, it is best not to overcook your food.

Phytotherapy for the skin

There are in fact products derived from herbal medicine with beneficial properties for the skin.

#1 - Chia oil

This oil provides several benefits to the skin:

• it protects it, thus limiting cell oxidation
• it regenerates it, thanks to its omega-3 which enters into the composition of cell membranes
• It fights inflammation, again thanks to its good quality fatty acids
• it soothes, nourishes, etc.

Chia oil should therefore be used without moderation.

#2 - Carrot oil

We know that adding carrots to your diet is truly beneficial, but they're also beneficial in aromatherapy. They brighten dull complexions, give a light tan, and protect the skin thanks to the antioxidants they contain. It's the perfect oil for preparing your skin for the sun, promoting a tan, and making it last.

#3 - Evening Primrose

Here again, we find many virtues in this miraculous oil:

• Anti-wrinkle: Its antioxidant and omega-6 content makes it a valuable ally in preventing wrinkles and fine lines, the appearance of which is accentuated by sun exposure. This oil is also effective for skin that is already marked.
• Moisturizing: Skin dries out and becomes irritated more easily in summer. Due to its fatty acid content, applying this oil helps deeply moisturize your skin to alleviate this problem.
• firming.

#4 - Borage

This plant is very rich in skin-preserving substances. It deeply nourishes skin cells, fights against skin aging, moisturizes it, and protects it from external aggressions like the sun. Other benefits include promoting cell regeneration and preventing the onset of sun allergies.

Sources:

[1] Lin, TK, Zhong, L., & Santiago, JL (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences , 19 (1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070

[2] Burke KE (2019). Protection From Environmental Skin Damage With Topical Antioxidants. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics , 105 (1), 36–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.1235

[3] Stahl W. (2016). Carrots, tomatoes and cocoa: Research on dietary antioxidants in Düsseldorf. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics , 595 , 125–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2015.06.023

[4] Parker, J., Schellenberger, AN, Roe, AL, Oketch-Rabah, H., & Calderón, AI (2018). Therapeutic Perspectives on Chia Seed and Its Oil: A Review. Planta medica , 84 (9-10), 606–612. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0586-4711