Delicious, Healthy Foods To Eat...and Put On Your Face

I'm always looking for new face products to improve my skin and complexion, but it's hard to know what products and ingredients to trust. Thankfully, I've found these awesome ways to improve my skin by using natural, harsh-free snacks and ingredients from Glow Recipe!

by taylor tran

Seaweed

I have a special place in my heart for seaweed, known as 김 (gim) or 미역 (miyuk). I grew up eating roasted seaweed and rice for meals, and to this day, I still enjoy it (except I add grown-up additions like kimchi, egg, and vegetables). It's salty and savory, and feels light but tastes very satisfying and hearty. It surprisingly has many health benefits as well: It's high in protein, minerals, and is a good source of iodine. But you don't have to eat it to absorb its benefits. Seaweed has a lot of vitamins and minerals that are good for your face, and studies have shown that is has anti-aging properties. It strengthens and exfoliates the skin, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties that help improve acne. It can also detoxify your skin of waste!

 

Honey

I didn't grow up eating honey, so it was not until when I was 18 that I discovered its rich sweetness. A morning with iced black tea and a bit of honey is perfection! Koreans also love having honey and soft-serve ice cream. If you haven't tried it, you are missing out. But honey is so much more than just a natural sweetener. It's a sweetener packed with plenty of antioxidants for your body, but it also has traditionally been used as a natural remedy to heal scars. Its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are filled with natural antioxidants to combat free radical activity on skin when topically applied. There are three important "bee products" you should know about: honey, royal jelly, and propolis. You can read more on the wonders of propolis at Glow Recipe's blog! Glow Recipe Tip: Our personal favorite is the LJH Vita Propolis Ampoule, which is a booster in your routine. It gives skin that extra 'gwang,' or glow, while also healing and nourishing skin. We like adding a drop to our night creams and BB creams!

Citrus

People often drink orange juice when they're sick because of its vitamins and healing properties (as well as its tastiness). When you have Suzy telling you to be proactive with your health, it's hard not to say no. Citrus fruits, especially oranges, are known for their high concentrations of Vitamin C, which also double as an amazing skincare ingredient. Vitamin C easily brightens skin, helps lighten dark spots, and even exfoliates dead skin cells. It's also an acne-fighting miracle -- Vitamin C serums can help treat breakouts while eliminating free radical damage and boosting cell turnover. Using a serum as a booster before your toner can aid in skin's collagen production, promoting dewier and more supple skin. (This is Glow Recipe science, folks. We'll stick to the snacks...) Glow Recipe Tip: The Wish Formula Squish Bubble Mesh Mask (for face and body) is soaked in a Vitamin C blend, which gives them their signature citrus-y smell.

Vitamin C provides gentle chemical exfoliation, while the mesh side of the puff is a gentle physical exfoliator. Blithe Splash Mask in Citrus and Honey also harnesses the power of Vitamin C to awaken and refresh skin. It is a gentle exfoliator that leaves skin brighter and softer with just 15 seconds. You can read more on Splash Masks at the Glow Recipe Blog!

Green tea

Green tea is a refreshing pick-me-up, whether you have it comfortably warm or refreshingly iced. It has just enough caffeine to give you a boost, and it's high in antioxidants for a good cleanse. Glow Recipe Tip: The antioxidants once again come in handy for soothing, healing, and protecting skin. Case in point: the Blithe Splash Mask in Soothing Green Tea and Yuripibu Grante Cleansing Oil. The green tea splash mask balances and calms skin with a blend of green tea and tea tree extracts.

The cleansing oil has green tea seed oil, which nourishes your skin while cleansing it.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a household item in many peoples' houses, and Koreans love drinking aloe pulp drinks for not only its sweetness, but also health benefits. It can help aid in digestion, detoxing, boosting your metabolism and immune system, improving hair growth, and even encouraging memory. Glow Recipe Tip: Hydrogel Masks are made of all-natural products -- plant-based cellulose and aloe vera. The thin, gel-like sheet is a different experience compared to a regular cotton mask. It clings more tightly to your face like a second skin, and the serum is absorbed into the skin to work its magic. Image via Glow Recipe

The Whamisa Organic Flowers & Aloe Vera Fermented Hydrogel Mask helps hydrate and calm dull, depleted skin. The fermented process helps break down ingredients for maximum absorption and efficacy, too!

Ginseng

I've noticed that ginseng (인삼) is a common ingredient in many trendy healthy pressed juiceries. That's not just a mere coincidence: Ginseng is very beneficial to the body: it is full of antioxidants and vitamins to protect and plump skin. Koreans will never stop talking about the benefits of ginseng, and now that we know it's good for our skin, they will never stop putting it on their faces. Glow Recipe Tip:  This Blithe 5 Energy Roots Treatment Essence is primarily made from ginseng. Lotus and other botanical root extracts account for a total of 46% of the formula, making this is a seriously soothing and calming treatment. But if you feel like doing something more quick and convenient, this Soyeododam Ginseng Hydrogel Mask is also infused with ginseng, Manuka honey, and aloe to brighten, soothe, and energize skin. It feels tingly when placed onto the face, and unique hydrogel technology molds itself to facial contours, so the mask won't fall off! This post was co-written by Glow Recipe and SnackFever.