7 Foods that act as moisturizers and will keep your skin soft and silky

This might be news for some of you, but the skin is actually the largest and fastest-growing organ in your body. And like any other organ it needs nutrients too. Moisturizing you skin retains water and prevents dryness and flakiness. While buying the latest and priciest moisturizer at the nearest health store might work, some of your favourite foods can also double as a moisturizer and get your skin the nourishment it needs thanks to their high vitamin content and antioxidants.

So before you splurge on that newest moisturiser, open your fridge and have your own spa at home. Here we give you the 7 foods for just that.

Avocado

Avocados have long been considered one of nature’s healthiest foods. They are rich in potassium (they actually have more than bananas), and vitamins A, E, and B. Combine these properties with avocado’s rich folate levels — which aid in blood formation — and you have one great moisturizer. The oils in avocadoes actually trigger the production of collagen, so whether you’re eating it or rubbing it on raw, avocados will give you a great glow. 

Papaya

Papaya is a delicious tropical fruit that contains restorative antioxidants, nutrients, and natural enzymes that help to moisturize skin and keep it hydrated. Papayas are rich in papain, an enzyme that helps nourish and rejuvenate dry skin which is why it is often used for facial treatments.

Honey

Legend has it that the secret to Cleopatra’s bright, baby-like skin was her honey facial. Raw honey is rich in antioxidants and its antibacterial properties help to clear skin while hydrating. Honey can clarify skin, unclog pores, and leave your skin with a dewy glow. 

Full-Fat Milk

Milk baths have been around for centuries. Milk hydrates and replenishes skin’s nutrients. Full-fat cow’s milk is great, but if you’ve got access to it, full-fat goat’s milk has a pH level that is closer to skin’s natural level, so skin absorbs it more abundantly. 

Olive Oil

Olives are one of the most mineral- and calcium-rich foods you can find. They are an abundant source of beneficial omega fatty acids and unsaturated oils. Olive oil contains one in particular called squalene, which is a natural moisturizer that penetrates and smoothes skin quickly.  

Aloe Vera

Found in most of our moisturizers, Aloe Vera an edible and medicinal plant that is part of the same species that onions and garlic belong to. It is actually 99% water, making it a great moisturizer that also helps to clear up skin thanks to its antiseptic qualities. It’s a common ingredient in organic skin clearing remedies and can be added to juices or smoothies to be consumed, or spread directly on the skin.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of nature’s organic sunscreens. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, and contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that make it an ideal anti-aging moisturizer. It actually penetrates the skin and hydrates deep into skin’s tissue making it more productive than anything you might buy in the pharmacy.