Before we know it, summer will once again be upon us. And so I thought we could get a jump-start on the warmer months by talking about ways to sun-proof your skin. We all tend to be religious about applying sunscreen to our skin, but today I’m going to teach you about how to sunscreen yourself from within.
Here’s Esther’s SPF Rx:
Eat: Wild Alaskan Salmon
Drink: Water—and lots of it.
Gorgeous Benefits
Salmon love to snack on red algae called astaxanthin; this is what gives the fish its vibrant pink color. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant and a great way to protect the skin from within (think an additional SPF 5). Wild Alaskan salmon also contains the neurotransmitter DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) to keep your brain happy and your muscles contoured so your face retains those glorious cheekbones. Talk about beauty and brains!
Note: make sure you buy wild Alaskan salmon. Alaska is the only state to ban the farming of fish so the waters are clean and pristine, the fish are loaded to the gills with omega-3s, and virtually free of pollutants like mercury.
Dosage: A six-ounce portion of fish at least 3-4x per week should do the trick. Season it up with fresh herbs, organic lemon slices, and seasonal greens.
Eat: Watermelon, tomatoes, papaya, red bell peppers and pink grapefruit
Gorgeous Benefits
These foods are high in lycopene—a red pigment found in plants—that protect the skin against sunburn and skin cancer. It has an SPF of about 3 and helps block UV light. Watermelon will give you the most bang for your buck, since it contains 40% more lycopene than tomatoes.
Dosage: During the summer months make sure you have at least 2 cups of red veggies (think gazpacho and tomato salad) and 2 cups of red fruits per day. Your skin will gain some serious protection and hydration to boot.
Drink: Green Tea
Gorgeous Benefits
Green tea is rich in polyphenols, which are powerful plant-based antioxidants. Think of them as suits of armor for your cells, protecting your skin from aging.
Dosage: Research shows that drinking two or more cups of green tea daily reduces your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 30%. You can drink it hot, or toss it on the rocks for a refreshingly cool cocktail.
Esther Blum is the author of Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous, Secrets of Gorgeous and Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat. She has been on Today show and Dr.Oz, just t name a few. Get more great information on her wonderful website, EstherBlum.com.
