The skin is the body’s largest organ. Taking care of it can help manage stress and sadness.
The good news is that in many parts of the country, new COVID-19 cases are decreasing enough for officials to let us all go out and play in the sun—to a degree. The bad news is coronavirus is far from gone and herd immunity could be months, or even years, away. That’s the perfect storm for stressing you out, inside and out. According to The American Institute of Stress, our cortisol levels are disrupted by stress, which can cause acne and exacerbate conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and atopic dermatitis.
Some more good news: There are some natural remedies for the impact the sun, the heat and the stress has on skin. What follows are some common skin issues and what the foods in your fridge and pantry can do about them.
Dehydrated, dry skin
Summertime can be brutal on your skin for a variety of reasons, but if you live in climates with high temperatures and low humidity, dry skin becomes especially common.
Bananas—Bananas contain a considerable amount of vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and antioxidants, which all provide rejuvenating effects, and help stop the inflammatory processes in the body. They can also help restore the cellular exchange, which can make small wrinkles appear less noticeable. Bananas can also help contribute to the regeneration of new cells, and restore the skin after exposure to sunlight.
Coconut Oil—This wunderkind of the food world boasts a mile-long list of benefits. One of the best moisturisers Mother Earth produces, with natural antiviral properties and a hefty dose of vitamin E that helps keep major skin conditions under control.
Jojoba Oil—Another anti-aging powerhouse, this non-allergenic oil helps protect the natural elastin and collagen in your skin, keeping you looking trim and toned all over.
Discoloration
Cocoa butter—Does anything sound more delicious than the words “cocoa butter?” Chock full of fatty acids to moisturise your skin and keep it supple, this smooth operator will help calm irritation and can even chase pesky stretch marks and small scars away.
Coffee—Using coffee grounds—as is—produces challenges, but products like organic coffee body scrubs are readily available nowadays to help tone down redness and inflammation while making your skin feel super smooth. I’ve been making my own body scrub during lockdown.
Honey & Honeycomb—Both honey and the comb have anti-inflammatory properties and contain vitamin A, which can help treat everything from fine lines to sun damage.
Dehydrated, dry skin
Summertime can be brutal on your skin for a variety of reasons, but if you live in climates with high temperatures and low humidity, dry skin becomes especially common.
Bananas—Bananas contain a considerable amount of vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and antioxidants, which all provide rejuvenating effects, and help stop the inflammatory processes in the body. They can also help restore the cellular exchange, which can make small wrinkles appear less noticeable. Bananas can also help contribute to the regeneration of new cells, and restore the skin after exposure to sunlight.
Coconut Oil—This wunderkind of the food world boasts a mile-long list of benefits. One of the best moisturisers Mother Earth produces, with natural antiviral properties and a hefty dose of vitamin E that helps keep major skin conditions under control.
Jojoba Oil—Another anti-ageing powerhouse, this non-allergenic oil helps protect the natural elastin and collagen in your skin, keeping you looking trim and toned all over.
Peeling
Vitamin E—Viruses have a tough time spreading in light and heat, and enjoying outdoor time in the extended daylight of summer is one of life’s pure joys. So, it’s no surprise that sunburn is going to be a part of your summer experience in some way. That makes Vitamin E vital because it soothes eczema and psoriasis, and delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants to the skin, which can help boost collagen production and promote new skin cell growth.
Rash
Tea Tree Oil—Kind of like your skin’s bodyguard. Tea Tree Oil has serious antiviral and anti-fungal properties that help destroy bacteria and disinfect the pores, so you can nip any nasty stuff in the bud.
Mint—Mint isn’t just refreshing on the palate, it’s pretty refreshing for your skin, too. This everyday herb helps reduce swelling and redness, and soothes itchiness, and its natural salicylic acid kicks out any dead skin cells.
Sunburn
Dead Sea Saltˆ—There’s a reason people come from all over the world to take a dip in the Dead Sea. Its salt has 21 different minerals that can help soothe the skin. Magnesium to help slow ageing, potassium to help moisturise, and calcium to keep cell membranes strong.
Here’s some even better news: Most of the ingredients mentioned above overlap in their benefits and can be used for more than just one condition that summertime and stress may bring your skin’s way.
