A Deep Dive into the World of Superfoods and how they can Help your Clients

The idea that beauty comes from within is certainly no myth. Alongside treating the skin concerns that trouble your clients the most, it’s important to educate them on the supplementary therapies that could help to tackle them outside the salon too. Our favourite supplementary therapy is the addition of superfoods within the client’s diet to cleanse and boost the skin cells from the inside, out. By providing the necessary nutritional advice to support and heal skin concerns, you’ll also be providing more of a long-term solution to reducing your client’s skin woes. We’ve selected 3 of the most common skin concerns and paired them with a range of extremely effective superfood ingredients, which aren’t difficult to implement within the average daily diet.

Acne Fighting

For chromic acne sufferers, the daily battle with inflammation is often difficult to tackle. But arguably, the best way to tackle inflammation is from the inside, out. To ease redness and pain, it’s important to recommend antioxidant rich superfoods with anti-inflammatory properties, which also work to repair any damaged skin cells or scarring at the same time. Our five favourite recommendations are beetroot, kale, flaxseeds, aloe vera and green tea.

A detoxifier by nature, beetroot cleanses the body from within whilst replenishing cells with essential vitamins A, C, and K. Also abundant in these vitamins is kale, a leafy green which can easily be thrown into salads and stir-fries for an added crunch. The vitamin A content in kale is proven to repair skin damage and scarring, all whilst reducing the inflammation synonymous with acne. Another great omega-rich salad addition are flaxseeds. Deeply nourishing, flaxseeds work to calm skin irritation whilst retaining moisture and suppleness, balancing the drying effects of typical external acne treatments. Further healing comes from drinking aloe vera, as this will provide a hydration boost for the cells needing it most. We love infusing our aloe vera drink with coconut water to provide an acne-fighting glow. Or if that isn’t to your client’s taste, a simple cup of green tea will work in an equally efficient way. The polyphenols within tea reduce sebum production, as well as having an anti-microbial affect to prevent any acne breakouts. It’s also anti-inflammatory too – what more could you want!

Wrinkle Banishing

As your clients get older it’s only natural for ageing to show on their skin, however it can sometimes negatively impact their confidence levels. Hyperpigmentation and fine lines are difficult to eradicate with facials and skin treatments alone, and the likes of dermal fillers need topping up over time. Foods rich in fatty acids alongside vitamins C and E will help your clients to boost their collagen levels and keep their skin looking supple for longer. Our favourite five are walnuts, almonds, kiwis, salmon and black beans.

Packed with omega-3 and vitamin E, walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrition. Whilst vitamin E is beneficial for repairing the skin, omerga-3 will restore the plump appearance to the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Walnuts make a delicious and nutritious snack, salad addition or meal topper. Another nut with skin softening properties is the humble almond. Fighting pigmentation and minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, almonds are full of essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamin E too. Aside from nuts, oily fish such as salmon is hugely beneficial for adding omega-3 and fatty acids to the diet, improving circulation and reducing inflammation. Salmon also contains selenium, a natural mineral which works to prevent cell damage and aid anti-ageing. If your clients are looking for a vegan collagen booster, black beans are the answer. Packed with proteins to feed the collagen in the skin, black beans are integral to the reduction and prevention of fine lines and wrinkles. Not only this, but they’re also packed full of antioxidants to fight UV rays, pollution, and stress, all of which are contributing factors to the rate of ageing. Add these to a vegan chilli or a veggie shepherds pie for a plant-based collagen boost. Then, tuck into a kiwi after dinner for a sweet, anti-wrinkle treat! Kiwi fruit is great for reducing the signs of ageing due to it’s high antioxidant and vitamin c content. We advise you recommend kiwis to clients showing early signs of ageing or are conscious of developing fine lines and wrinkles.

Glow Getting

When looking to combat dullness and improve general skin health, you can’t get a more efficient treatment than vitamin c. Both externally and internally, vitamin c is proven to revitalise cells for that added glow, alongside boosting collagen and improving skin elasticity. You’ll probably have a long list of vitamin c treatments in your repertoire, so why not recommend a continuation of the treatment with a vitamin c rich diet! It’s really easy to add broccoli, tomatoes and oats to the daily routine, but for something a little different, you could also recommend the addition of gooseberries and moringa.

Rich in vitamin c, e, beta carotene and lycopene, tomatoes offer a nutritious boost for our skin cells. Antioxidant lycopene is a great protector against UV rays too, in turn preventing signs of early ageing and dark spots. Possibly the easiest ingredient to recommend, tomatoes can be added to pasta sauce, ketchups or even as a healthy snack. Another easy addition is broccoli. Add to soups and stews or serve as a side for the perfect vitamin boost. Not only is broccoli packed with vitamin c, it’s also packed with phytonutrients, which work to neutralize free radicals and unleash the inner glow. Oats are a particularly good recommendation, as they’re packed with vitamins, phytonutrients, fibres and proteins – everything you need to maintain good skin health. Whether added to porridge, flapjacks or granola, oats are a tasty and easy supplement within your client’s diet. And to top the porridge off, suggest gooseberries for that added vitamin c boost! For something a bit different, mention moringa, the hidden superfood. Often thought of for it’s refreshing scent, moringa is packed with 7 times more vitamin c than oranges and proteins which protect cells from damage. Moringa can be purchased in powdered form and added to smoothies, energy bars, or even drank alone as tea.

Here at La Beeby, we want you to get the most out of your career as a professional beautician. Whether that’s through handy tips like these or by providing the salon workwear you need to carry out your duties, we’re here to help. Contact us today to find out more – simply email sales@labeeby.co.uk or call us on 0161 871 0500.