Fifteen Natural Foods to Make You Look Beautiful

Natural foods containing healthy nutrients can help you achieve more radiant skin and hair. Natural ingredients tend to be absorbed well and contain actual antioxidants and enzymes in their purest, and most potent form.

1. Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera gel, which is instantly cooling and soothing, has been used medicinally for years to heal light burns, including those caused by the sun and certain chemicals. It provides a barrier that protects against irritants and bacteria, and it hydrates and reduces inflammation.

2. Carrot: Carrot juice is great for natural skin care. Carrots contain vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. Vitamin A in carrot is an excellent natural antioxidant. Antioxidants slow down the process of aging. Carrots also contain carotenoids. Carotenoids help to protect, and condition the skin. Antioxidants in carrots increase the skin's immunity against sun and also help in healing sunburn. Vitamin C in carrots also help in collagen production in the body. Collagen is an essential protein for skin elasticity. Collagen helps to prevent wrinkles and delays the process of aging.

3. Cucumber: Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is a trace mineral that contributes to the strength of our connective tissue. A connective tissue is what holds our body together, for example, our skin. Cucumbers are also very effective when used for various skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn.

4. Eggs: Eggs contain the perfect mix of fat, protein, vitamins and minerals, which are vital for our skin. Eggs contain Vitamins A, B12, B6, D, and E, protein, thiamine, folate, zinc, choline, lutein, riboflavin, phosphorus, and zeaxanthin, all these ingredients make eggs, the perfect food for your skin.

5. Flax seeds: Flax seed oil contains high levels of omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids which can either be taken internally by eating the flax seeds or taking flax seed oil supplements or it can be applied externally as a pack for healthy skin.

6. Green Tea: The health benefits of drinking green tea are widely known, but, when applied to your skin, green tea is a potent antioxidant that helps skin retain moisture and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

7. Honey: Honey is nature's best antiseptic, it has been proven to help speed the healing of wounds and superficial burns. Because it kills bacteria, it is recommended to patients with acne. In addition, honey is an effective skin moisturizer.

8. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is known for its cholesterol-lowering properties and is popular as breakfast meal, but besides this, oatmeal can also soothe rashes and irritations caused by poisonous plants, such as poison ivy and oak, as well as pain and itching caused by chicken pox and sunburn. Because of its grainy texture, oatmeal is also ideal for gentle skin exfoliation. Mix with warm water, apply to your face with circular motions, let dry for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off.

9. Olive oil: Olive oil has been used for centuries as a natural moisturizer. It has excellent hydrating properties, and is specially useful for those having dry skin. Besides skin, it is an excellent homemade hair treatment for split ends, when used to oil your hair since hair follicles absorb olive oil nicely

10. Papaya: Papaya offers excellent benefits in skin care. When applied to the face, it reduces wrinkles, nourishes the skin with Vitamin A which accelerates the formation of new skin cells, and exfoliates the skin. In addition, it is loaded with Vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant. The beta-carotene in this fruit protects the skin and promotes elasticity.

11. Pumpkin: Pumpkin contains an enzyme that gently peels away dead skin, speeding the production of new cells. In addition, pumpkin is rich in essential fatty acids, which hydrate the skin, and the antioxidant vitamins A and C, which fight free radicals that can age skin.

12. Salmon: Though one would never apply salmon directly to your face or body, cold-water fishes like salmon, contain DMAE, or dimethylaminoethanol, a compound that helps to rejuvenate skin.

13. Soy beans: Soy beans are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E and amino acids, which help to maintain the softness, smoothness and elasticity of the skin, thus making one look more youthful and beautiful.

14. Turmeric: This herb, in its powdered form, is most commonly used in Indian curries, is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has long been used to treat eczema and is known to speed wound healing. Recent research suggests that turmeric may also help firm aging skin.

15. Yoghurt: Yoghurt is an excellent source of calcium, Vitamin D and B vitamins, besides probiotics (good bacteria).The good bacteria assist in digestion, hydrate the skin and help in preventing constipation, thus helping in providing a glow to the skin. Yoghurt can be directly applied to skin, or as a part of face pack to get that beautiful, lustrous skin.