In part one of this two-part series, we took a look at three “sweet treat” whole foods that are also amazing healing substances for the skin. If you haven’t checked that out, be sure to do that HERE. In this next article, we stir the pot on three “savory sensations,” whole foods sources that are not only deeply healing for the whole body, but the superfood natural substances within them are game changers when it comes to upgrading your skin health too.

So, let’s get started! Bon Appetit!

#1 Bone Broth

Bone broth is the liquid that is produced after bones and marrow (usually of chicken, beef, or fish) are boiled for a long period of time, usually 24 hours or more. People have been consuming bone broth for literally thousands of years, and there are some really good reasons why.

Bone broth contains specific amino acids that can be significantly beneficial for the whole body. Bone broth boosts the immune system, can lower inflammation, helps to purify the liver, and heal the gut. (1)

A big reason why bone broth is such a superfood is because of collagen. Bone broth is a major source of this particular protein and this is good news for your skin since alone is probably the most important substance overall for skin rejuvenation. It is the primary substance that makes up tissue in your body, including the dermis and epidermis layers of the skin.

Sadly, research states that, on average, collagen stores can decline by as much as 2% every year after age 30. Yikes! That’s why we need to consume healthy whole foods like bone broth to replenish those stores naturally. You can utilize the power of all natural collagen-rich substances to improve skin appearance, lower inflammation in the skin, curb acne and outbreaks, and start to experience that youthful glow to your skin again.

Of course, no one is suggesting that you put bone broth on your face (gross)! Luckily, for topical use there are other “face-friendly” substances that contain collagen which can be just as potent as bone broth. Of course, one of the most important substances that can help to renew collagen stores naturally is vitamin C. All citrus contains vitamin C, including sweet orange, grapefruit, and bergamot. And at least one of these sources are available in most CHARLíS Luxury Face and Skin products.

Marigold, or calendula, is another plant that has been shown to help activate and even boost collagen production in the skin. Calendula can be found in the CHARLíS Breath of LIfe Serum. Calendula also contains vitamin E and phytonutrients called carotenoids which can both nourish and protect the natural balance of your skin.

#2 Mushrooms

Besides being buttery, hearty, and just plain yummy, mushrooms are another savory whole food that helps your body both inside and out. There are literally dozens of varieties of mushrooms out there that can benefit the body and its functions, including metabolism, gut health and overall balancing.

Remember that research has shown a direct connection between good interior health and beautiful, radiant skin! On the other hand, poor health can often be directly connected to outbreaks and acne on the skin surface. (2)  

Certain kinds of mushrooms can be especially helpful, again boosting collagen production and acting as anti-viral, infection-fighting, and anti-inflammatory agents as well. Shiitake, maitake, and turkey tail are all types of mushrooms that can calm inflammatory skin conditions since they contain heavy-hitting nutrients like essential fatty acids and vitamin D. (3)

Probably the most well-known mycelium for skin health, however, is tremella. In fact, tremella is often called the “beauty mushroom” for what it can do for the skin. This is why it has been included in beauty tonics, lotions, and formulas around the world for centuries. (4)

What makes tremella so special as a powerful anti-aging aid? Simply put, substances called polysaccharides. Polysaccharides can be described as “clumps” of specific kinds of sugar molecules. They are found in many whole foods, especially grains, tubers, and fungi. The particular kinds of polysaccharides in tremella are specifically designed, it seems, to help the skin. They (as well as other skin-benefiting natural substances found in these mushrooms) create an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and extremely hydrating powerhouse for the skin and the whole body. Some substances within tremella may even have the ability to stop cancer growth. (5)

Skin-saving polysaccharides are not just found in mushrooms like tremella, however. As I mentioned, they can also be found in whole grains as well. A powerful type of polysaccharides found in both mushrooms and oat grains is beta glucans. Oat-derived beta glucans are the “real deal” when it comes to whole body health, and especially skin health. They are a known immune system booster. They also have the ability to modulate and lower key hormonal reactions related to stress. (6)

 Studies have shown that beta glucans can also help reduce scarring on the skin directly and have the ability to clear up the fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging skin. (7)

 Oat-based beta glucans can be found in the CHARLíS Daily Facial Cleanser which is part of the CHARLíS Face Care Collection.

#3 Aloe Vera

Finally, we can’t forget one the most common yet one of the most healing plants – aloe vera. Aloe vera is known most for all the amazing things it can do for the skin (and we will get to all that goodness in a minute). What many people don’t know is what aloe vera can do on the inside as well. Again, health on the inside means healthy skin too!

You can drink organic, non-GMO aloe vera as a juice added to smoothies or just mixed in water. Consumed in this way, the most noticeable benefit is going to be for gut health. Research shows that aloe vera can provide relief and actual healing for some of the most discomforting and potentially serious gastrointestinal issues, including GERD (gastroesophageal reflux), IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and severe constipation. In fact, aloe vera works so well to seal and heal the gut as well as promote elimination that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at one time promoted its use in FDA-approved aloe vera-based laxatives. (8)

When taken internally, aloe can also stabilize the metabolism, which can be a boon for diabetics and those with pre-diabetes.

Now let’s get to what aloe vera can do for the skin. As it turns out, consuming it internally can help you on the outside too. A 2015 Japanese investigation published in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology found that consuming aloe vera increased collagen levels while it decreased the amount and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (in over-40 female study participants). (9)

Aloe’s ability to “seal, heal, and soothe” internally is exactly what it can do on the outside for the skin when used topically too. Aloe is a rich antioxidant, thanks to high polyphenol levels, and this protects the skin from internal free radicals and stressors in the environment. (10) Its anti-inflammatory properties are a benefit for people healing from wounds and burns as well as skin conditions like rash, dry skin, and andatopic dermatitis. (11)

Aloe’s unique properties help the skin retain moisture longer too, increasing elasticity and giving it that overall hydrated, healthy glow. All this and more is why aloe vera is a vital part of several CHARLíS luxury formulas, including one of our most popular and effective products, the CHARLíS Restorative Anti-Aging Overnight Serum.  

Choose Whole Foods That Are Good for You Inside and Out!

There are so many health-promoting foods out there, why not choose the ones that are going to give you the most “bang for your buck” and help you on the inside and out. In Part 1, we talked about all those “sweet treat” whole foods that are good for you on all levels, namely berries, apples, and citrus fruits – who said you can’t eat your dessert first?

In Part 2, we relished in all the “savory stuff,”  including bone broth (and other sources of collagen), mushrooms as well as oats with their beta glucan goodness, and, finally, tangy and refreshing aloe vera, which you can consume as a juice, apply topically as a gel, or benefit from when it is inside a high-quality skin formula, like those at CHARLíS!

When you stick with whole foods for your diet as well as for what you put on your skin, it really is a “recipe for success” that is going to offer you delicious goodness no matter how you serve it up!

References:

(1) Broth is Beautiful
(2) Understanding innate immunity and inflammation in acne: implications for management 
(3) Extracts from Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Edible Mushrooms Enriched with Vitamin D Exert an Anti-Inflammatory Hepatoprotective Effect 
(4)  7 Health Benefits of Tremella Mushrooms: The Ultimate Beauty Mushroom 
(5) Free radical scavenging of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and its effect on antioxidant enzymes and immunity activities in cervical carcinoma rats 
(6) Anti-stress action of several orally-given β-glucans
(7) Skin Wound Healing Promoting Effect of Polysaccharides Extracts from Tremella fuciformis and Auricularia auricula on the ex-vivo Porcine Skin Wound Healing Model
(8) 5 Tips: What You Should Know About Popular Herbs  
(9) Effects of plant sterols derived from Aloe vera gel on human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and on skin condition in Japanese women.
(10) Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: Natural Sources of Antioxidants – A Review
(11) Aloin Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis by Inhibiting the Activation of NF-κB