Which 5 Skin Nutrients
are the BEST for YOU!!

Organic skin care products are beneficial for the health of your skin, but if they are truly organic, their shelf life is cut in half from their commercial counterparts. This is one way to check the authenticity of organic skin care products, by the expiration date. Only synthetic ingredients prolong shelf life for products beyond the few months that natural products can survive.

Research has shown that the skin reacts well to vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that nourish the skin, making it appear youthful and healthy.

Here is your list of 5 skin nutrients.

1. Silica – Have you ever heard of this before?

Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body's connective tissues - muscles, tendons, hair, ligaments, nails, cartilage, and bone - and is vital for healthy skin. Silica deficiency can result in reduced skin elasticity and can hamper the body's ability to heal wounds. Food that contains silica:

• leeks
• green beans
• garbanzo beans
• strawberries
• cucumber
• mango
• celery
• asparagus
• rhubarb

In its natural form, silica is found in the horsetail herb. Silica is also available as a concentrated liquid supplement.

2. Zinc – Most people have heard of this mineral.

The mineral zinc is an important component of healthy skin, especially for acne sufferers.

In fact, acne itself may be a symptom of zinc deficiency. Zinc acts by controlling the production of oil in the skin, and may also help control some of the hormones that create acne. Zinc is also required for proper immune system function, as well as for the maintenance of vision, taste, and smell. Zinc consumption is also strongly linked to a reduction of prostate cancer.

Foods rich in zinc include:

• fresh oysters
• pumpkin seeds
• ginger
• pecans
• Brazil nuts
• oats
• eggs

Zinc can be purchased in supplement form, in both liquid concentrates and tablets. This is one of the most important skin nutrients.

Prevent acne before it starts, find out more at Acne Assasin.

See Botanic Choice on zinc supplements and other natural supplements (just use the search bar on the left for your supplements.

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Most people get enough omega-6, but not omega-3.

If you don't get your skin nutrients is your skin will get dry, inflamed skin or skin that suffers from acne. Your skin can benefit from essential fatty acids (EFAs), especially omega-3s.

IMPORTANT - EFAs are responsible for skin repair, moisture content, and overall flexibility, but because the body cannot produce its own EFAs, they must be obtained through the diet.

Food with omega-3s include:

• cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel,
• flaxseeds - (Flax Oil) (link this to Barleans)
• safflower oil.
• Simply balancing the intake of omega-3s with omega-6s can result in smoother, younger-looking skin.

EFAs are also available in supplement form.

4. Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant mineral responsible for tissue elasticity. It also acts to prevent cell damage by free radicals and is will known to be correlated with a reduction of breast cancer risk. It may play an important role in preventing skin cancer, as it can protect the skin from damage from excessive ultraviolet light.

Dietary sources of selenium include:

• wheat germ
• tuna and salmon
• garlic
• Brazil nuts
• eggs
• brown rice
• whole-wheat bread
• Brazil nuts are perhaps the best source, and eating just 3-4 Brazil nuts per day provides adequate selenium intake for most people. A good source of raw brazil nuts is www.rawfood.com.

5. Vitamins C, E and A

Vitamin C is highly effective at reducing free radical damage, such as that caused by overexposure to the sun or pollution. Free radicals consume collagen and elastin - the fibers that support skin structure - and can cause wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Vitamin C is especially effective at protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun when combined with vitamin E.

Foods high in vitamin C include:

• acerola (a cherry-like fruit)
• red and green bell peppers
• guava
• kale
• parsley
• collard greens
• turnips
• broccoli

Wherever possible, consumers are advised to get their vitamin C from a whole food source, and not to confuse synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with the real thing from plants (which is full spectrum vitamin C that goes way beyond ascorbic acid). A good source of whole food vitamins is Life Extension

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that reduces the effects of sun exposure on the skin. When combined with vitamin A, vitamin E is especially effective at preventing certain skin cancers. Vitamin E also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and, when applied topically, soothes dry or rough skin.

Food sources of vitamin E include:

• wheat germ oil
• sunflower seeds
• safflower and sunflower oils
• almonds
• spinach
• peaches
• prunes
• tomatoes
• cabbage
• asparagus
• avocados

Avoid synthetic vitamin E supplements, as they have been shown to actually harm health. Only consume natural vitamin E from a reputable source such as Life Extension

Vitamin A promotes proper repair and maintenance of the skin, and deficiencies can result in a dry, flaky complexion. Topical vitamin A treatments are often used to treat acne and other skin ailments.

Foods high in vitamin A include:

• liver
• chili peppers
• dandelion
• carrots
• apricots
• collard greens
• kale
• sweet potatoes
• spinach
• cantaloupe

It's best to consume vitamin A from natural food sources rather than supplementing it, as vitamin A can be harmful if taken in excessive amounts in supplement form (vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin). You may also wish to consider taking beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A and has none of the overdose concerns of vitamin A.

I strongly advise everyone to obtain the 5 skin nutrients mention above including using organic cosmetics or skin care products. Switch to trusted, organic skin care products from companies like Dr. Bronner's, Dr. Mercola's Natural Skin Care, Organic Excellence Chemical-Free Products.

Bottom line

Many cosmetic products include carcinogenic contaminants in them - THROW THEM OUT and change to ORGANIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS and get your essential skin nutrients.

From Skin Nutrients to Organic Skin Care
From Skin Nutrients to Mercola Skin Care