Summer skin breakouts: how nutrition and mineral sunscreens can help

Summer can wreak havoc on sensitive, acne-prone skin. Soaring temperatures and strong winds can lead to dehydrated, dry skin. Meanwhile, trying to find moisturisers, sunscreens and make up that won’t cause irritation and clog pores can be distressing. Opting for products with gentle ingredients, plus eating plenty of skin-nourishing foods may work wonders for healthy, glowing skin. Here are our top tips:

Choose a mineral sunscreen

Some sunscreens contain harsh chemicals that may aggravate sensitive skin. Instead, choose a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide as the active ingredient, like Eco Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+ Face or Wotnot SPF 30 Sunscreen and Primer for face. Mineral sunscreens block, rather than absorb UV rays, which may be more suitable for sensitive skin. They also tend to include nourishing ingredients, like jojoba oil and cucumber extra to help hydrate and soothe skin.

Nourish with omega essential fatty acids

Our body can’t make ‘essential’ fatty acids itself, so it’s important to include them in your diet. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids may play a vital role in helping skin function normally, including its structural integrity. Deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids has been found to be linked to dry skin and poor circulation. Eat plenty of fish and seafood, or if you’re vegan/vegetarian include flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts in your diet.

‘Fake it’ using gentle ingredients

Just because you’re fakin’ your tan, doesn’t mean it can’t be made from real ingredients! Try a fake tan with gentle ingredients, such as Eco Tan; an award-winning certified organic Australian fake tan. They’re also certified toxic free by Safe Cosmetics Australia and are free from GMOs and synthetic dyes. Their formulas are made using cacao, aloe vera and caramel; completely vegan and gentle on skin.

Boost your proteins

Protein and amino acids are the building blocks of most of the body’s cells, including skin cells. Choosing high quality protein is essential for the structural integrity of skin cells, plus helps to replenish dead cells. Include a variety of protein, including lean meats, raw nuts and seeds, quinoa, eggs and soy  in your diet to help boost your skin health. An easy to digest protein powder, such as Amazonia Raw, is a quick way to get your protein simply by adding it to smoothies.

Opt for organic veggies

Veggies are packed with vitamins and minerals to support healthy, glowing skin. Opting for organic gives you peace of mind that they’re grown without the use of synthetic chemicals and are packed with their natural goodness. Vitamin A, C and E may help work towards nourishing skin from the inside. Carrots, pumpkin and most orange veggies contain plenty of vitamin A; broccoli, tomatoes and capsicum are packed with vitamin C; and spinach and avocado contain vitamin E. Aim for 5 serves of fresh, organic veggies each day to support clear, glowing skin.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Last, but certainly not least, is water! Drinking plenty of water helps keep cells hydrated, which ‘plumps’ the skin and keeps it from appearing dull. It may also help flush impurities out of the system to avoid breakouts. Aim to drink plenty of water each day and look out for our Zazen alkaline water systems to purify and filter your water at home.