We\'ve probably all heard the maxim, \"true beauty comes from within.\" Certainly this is true, for qualities like kindness and generosity are most important in making a person beautiful. The absence of such qualities can quickly turn even a supermodel into a monster. But since physical beauty is nonetheless a concern for most people, this maxim also proves rather handy. With the pressure on women to use makeup and other beauty products, people often forget how much diet affects physical beauty and how simple, unaltered foods can be used for gorgeous results. Several healthy foods work in a variety of ways to enhance physical beauty when enjoyed in the proper quantity. And, rather than spending a fortune on expensive products, many items from your local supermarket can be used as natural beauty aids.

Eat and Drink for Beauty

Tea- Tea is actually quite good for healthy, beautiful teeth. Most tea helps to fight plague, while black and green varieties actually fight cavities. Despite its anti-aging properties, tea can also stain your teeth so be sure to rinse your mouth after enjoying a steaming cup or a nice glass of iced tea.

• Green Tea- Several studies have shown that green tea may help increase your metabolism, meaning people who enjoy green tea may burn more calories than those who consume caffeine alone.
• Check out this article for more information on different tea varieties and handy tea recipes.

Apple Cider Vinegar- The concentration of enzymes in this helpful cooking aid works to remove dead skin cells from the inside out and also helps break down fat in the body.

Apple Orchard Salad
Lime Soup with Tortilla Strips and Chicken

Carrots- The nutrients in carrots help to prevent premature aging in the skin.

Butterfly Pork Chops with Zucchini and Carrot Topping
Honey- Spiced Carrots

Hard Cheese and Nonfat Yogurt- A small amount of hard cheese (1-2 slices) and/or an 8 oz. serving of nonfat yogurt are both great sources of calcium and other nutrients important to beauty. Both foods help to keep teeth strong and beautiful and are thought to help people maintain a healthy weight. For menopausal women, a serving of yogurt provides more calcium than milk. Moreover, the zinc in yogurt helps to clear up facial blemishes.

Apple Gouda Quesadillas
Swiss Chicken & Stuffing

Fruit- Citrus fruits and juices such as oranges help form collagen to keep the skin firm and smooth. Collagen cannot be applied through any expensive cream so work more fruits into your diet every day. Moreover, while not an external concern; cranberries also help to the urinary tract healthy, preventing infections.

Cape Cod Cranberry Salad
Tangy Orange Juice Muffins

Garlic- This super food, in addition to being a great antioxidant and detoxifier of the body, also helps to restore skin tissues and prevent wrinkles. Go ahead and add some garlic to your favorite pasta, meat, or vegetables dishes.

Grilled Corn with Herb Butter
Garlicky Beef with Peppers

Sweet Potatoes and Tomatoes- These delicious foods are full of Vitamin A and C, which help to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle-free. The potassium in tomatoes is also great for your skin.

African Squash and Yams
Tomato, Basil, Couscous and Lentil Salad

Wheat Germ- This healthy food helps clear pimple-prone skin when made part of a daily diet. Add a couple tablespoons to your yogurt or smoothie.

Wheat Squares
Apple Butter Spice Crunch Cake

The Raw Food Movement

Followers of the raw food movement follow a diet of organic foods that have not been heated above a certain temperature, ranging from 92 to 118 F, including meat, vegetables, and dairy products. While juicers and blenders are common in the movement, some raw foods are prepared with the help of a dehydrator to emulate the taste and texture of cooked food. Proponents of the raw food diet believe that this preserves the foods natural nutrients and provides much greater health benefits (including beauty benefits). Cooking is thought to break down many enzymes in the food and actually make it harder to digest.

While these claims are still controversial and many nutritionist advise against an all-raw diet, incorporating certain raw food habits can be beneficial for beauty. Cutting down on cooking oils and enjoying raw fruits, vegetable juices and raw nuts are all advantageous for health and beauty. As with any major change in eating habits, you should consult your doctor or nutritionist before starting a raw food regime. As an additional word of warning, these foods can be poisonous when consumed raw:

• Buckwheat greens- If juiced or eaten raw in large quantities, this food can cause photosensitivity of the skin, especially in light skin individuals, resulting in increased skin damage from the sun and other sources.
• Rhubarb- If eaten in sufficient quantity, raw leaves can be toxic.
• Kidney beans and sprouts- These are completely toxic when raw.
• Raw animal products- Meat, eggs, and dairy products contain bacteria and may contain parasites, which can cause sickness in humans.

Homemade Beauty Recipes

Bananas- Bananas are rich in oils that help moisturize skin and slow down aging. For a super-easy facial mask, simply mash half a banana, apply to face, and relax for a half hour before removing with cool water. For damaged hair, mix a very ripe banana with a few drops of almond oil and massage into hair. Let it sit for 15 minutes, rinse with soda water and shampoo and condition as usual.

Yogurt- In addition to being a great beauty food when eaten, plain yogurt also works wonders as a facial cleanser, although the skin must already be free of makeup. To sooth an irritated scalp or one suffering from dandruff, apply plain yogurt, wrap your head in a towel, and rinse after 15 minutes. Yogurt also works well as a hand and nail moisturizer. Mix 8 oz. of yogurt with the juice of one lemon and let sit for several hours. Massage this mixture into your hands for supple skin, and it will keep for two weeks in the fridge!

Bath Time
Dry Skin Conditioner
Mint Footbath
Velvet Apple Bubble Bath
Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath
Hawaiian Bath

Facial Skin Care
Papaya Anti-Wrinkle Facial
Pore Reducing Pasta
Anti-Aging Skin Fighter
Lighten Skin Under Eyes

Dry Skin
Cucumber Masque
Fennel Cleanser
Grape Facial
Dry Skin Face Pack

Oily/Acne Prone
Stubborn Blackhead Remover
Witch Hazel Skin Clarifier
Peppermint Mud Mask
Yogurt Citrus Mask

For the Body
Moisturizing Body Lotion
Oatmeal Soap Balls
Stretch Marks Massage Oil
Homemade Lemon Chiffon Body Masque

Hair Care
Herbal Hair Growth Shampoo
Natural Hair Spray
Egg Conditioner
Rosemary Sage Hair Shine Rinse
Sun-streaking Your Hair

Makeup
Gardenia Dusting Powder
Apricot-Orange Lip Glass
Pure Vanilla Lip Gloss

More
Nail Strengthener
Freckle Reducing Lotion
Lemon Clove Tooth Cleanser
Apple Cider Vinegar After Shave
Razor Burn Mask

Search our Other Beauty Recipes Here

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