Paula Simpson, Celebrity Beauty and Nutricosmetics Expert, has a few insightful tips on how to get skin in tip top shape, and her advice might not be what you would expect. Instead of dishing on the latest foundation and creams, this certified nutritionist tells us what we should be putting into our bodies instead of what we should apply to the surface. Check out her tips below on how to eat your way to gorgeously glowing skin.

Tell us Paula, what are nutricosmetics?
It's an increasingly popular category of supplements to support healthy aging and natural beauty. Nutricosmetics provide unique formulations with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to optimize skin health and help to protect the body from stressors that can accelerate the aging process. They naturally complement topical skincare regimens and may help to bridge the gap in dietary deficiencies during hectic or stressful times.

Is it really possible to eat your way to better looking skin?
Yes! Your skin being the largest organ of the body and barrier from our external environment requires certain nutrients to support a healthy rate of cellular renewal, support healthy skin barrier function and protect the skin from stressors, such as chronic UV exposure.

What types of foods help fight wrinkles?
Nutrition is at the foundation of optimal health. From a nutritional perspective, studies have shown that incorporating antioxidant rich foods help to maintain healthy defense systems to ward off the aging process. Antioxidants found in beans, deep colored fruits and vegetables, green tea, garlic, and herbs such as turmeric, cinnamon, or rosemary work to support immune defenses and keep skin looking great.

What type of diet would we ideally need to get these nutrients?
The Mediterranean-based diet has been cited as the "anti-aging" type diet due to high fiber complex carbohydrates, antioxidant rich fruits/vegetables, plant based proteins (beans, legumes, nuts, seeds,) probiotic rich yogurt/kefir, and a healthy blend of essential and monounsaturated fats (Omega 3's, 7 and 9,). All fo these elements are believed to offer the right balance of nutrition for healthy skin, hair and nails.

What about breakouts?  What foods should we avoid or target?
As the Westernized diet heavily relies on simple carbohydrates over complex forms, it is well known that the chronic consumption of high glycemic foods stimulates and aggravate the acne condition. Promoting optimal health of the digestive system should be a primary treatment regimen for those suffering with acne.

Any foods that help to give us that glow we all seek?  

An antioxidant rich diet, healthy fats and staying well hydrated. If water is not your favorite, raw fruits andvegetables generally contain 80% water. Herbal teas such as green tea have been clinically shown to help protect the skin from stressors that can accelerate skin aging.

How can we begin to seamlessly incorporate these foods into our beauty regime?
Smoothies are a great, fast and easy way to get a lot of these nutrients in one meal. Again, clean (and sensible) eating is your best bet towards optimal health and natural beauty.

Any additional skin care tips or tricks?  

Try a delicious breakfast smoothie:  1/2 cup Coconut Water (source electrolytes, hydrating), 1/2 cup H20, 1/2 scoop whey, or hemp or pea protein (vanilla flavor) (amino acids critical for healthy collagen, elastin production), 1/2 cup frozen raspberries (excellent source of fiber - healthy blood sugar balance, slimming beauty), 1/2 cup fresh blueberries (helps ward off damaging free radicals), 2 Tbsp probiotic active yogurt (supports healthy digestion), 1 tsp Salba Seeds (anti-inflammatory, fiber), 1 tsp wheat or barley grass (detoxifying, antioxidants, ph balancing), 1 tsp cocoa powder (stimulates circulation), and 2 full droppers SeabuckWonders Berry Oil (evening of skin tone). Delish!

Thanks Paula! Ready for a beautiful skin smoothie? Let us know what you think about nutricosmetics with a note below!