“You are what you eat” actually has some truth to it…especially when it comes to sensitive skin!
Dr. Lebar advises that before beginning any new skincare routine for sensitive skin, it’s important to rebalance your body first, through proper nutrition. In order to restore balance through food and get stronger sensitive skin, for 15 days you should:
-Stay well-hydrated by drinking 2 to 3 liters of water a day (plain water, lemon water and herbal teas are fine).
-Favor antioxidant-rich foods, like carrots, spinach, fresh parsley, and lemons (try to buy organic if you can to avoid pesticides) to fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
-Favor foods rich in essential fatty acids like almonds, avocados and hemp seeds to reduce inflammation in the body (Dr. Lebar recommends having 3 tablespoons of olive oil or rapeseed oil per day to get your dose of omega-3 and omega-6).
-Favor foods high in zinc (nuts, hard cheeses) and selenium (selenium, seafood, mushrooms and eggs) to help reduce skin redness.
-Restore your intestinal flora and nourish your skin by eating more fermented foods, like yogurt and Kefir.
Why you should choose alkaline foods over acidic foods
In order for your sensitive skin to be healthy and to prevent triggering any reactions, it needs to maintain a slightly alkaline pH level. Our environment tends to create acidity and inflammation in our body, through things like stress, pollution, inactivity and over exercising (yes, working out too much is possible!). By limiting your intake of acidic foods and adding more alkaline foods into your diet, your pH levels can remain balanced.
Acidic foods to avoid are: Berries, tomatoes, white flour, meat, condiments, like mustard and vinegar, affeinated beverages, like coffee and tea. Alkaline foods to favor are: Pears, sweet potatoes, almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados, spinach.