Six ways to get great skin

Getting great skin is now within your reach without spending oodles of money in the parlour. Here are some food and beverages to help boost your skin’s vitality

Cocoa: The bean has high levels of flavanols, plant compounds with antioxidant properties that help protect skin from sun damage. Apart from sipping it in the morning and evening you can also use it as a bath soak – add 1/8 cup ground cocoa powder and 1/3 cup fat-free dry milk in your bathtub.

Curd: The calcium and phosphorus in it helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect your teeth from cavities. It is also high in protein, which is an essential nutrient for the production of collagen, a fibrous substance that keeps your skin looking young. You can also apply it to the face to sloughing away dead skin cells and unclogging pores.

Strawberries: The vitamin C in strawberries help protect skin from environmental damage. Puree the berries in a blender and mix in chilled curd and add a half of lemon juice. This will help lighten dark spots. Strawberries have high dosage of vitamin C and ellagic acid which is essential for the production of collagen and acts as an antioxidant.

Avacado: It is the king of beauty foods. It is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which help keep skin plump and smooth. Add avocados to salads and shakes to help bring out the shine.

Tea: All teas are good for the skin but green and white are especially beneficial because they have double the antioxidants of black tea.

Almonds: Go nuts with almonds as it contains high levels of catalase, an enzyme that may help slow the greying process.

Coffee: It helps protect skin from sun damage and prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin that causes wrinkles and sagging. However, don’t drink more than a cup per day as coffee can also cause dehydration.