16/03/2025
Lent and Skin health
Lent is a meaningful time for reflection, renewal, and purification. For many, this period involves adopting fasting practices, often including eliminating animal products.
To help you maintain healthy skin during this sacred time, here are my key tips and recommendations to support your skin from within.
A diet low in animal protein and high in processed carbs and sugars may alter your skin’s balance. To minimise breakouts and nourish your skin, focus on a nutrient-rich, whole-food-based diet. Incorporate fiber-packed grains, legumes, and fresh fruits to optimise your skin health. Foods to prioritize include:
•Legumes: Lentils, black beans, chickpeas
•Grains: Oats, quinoa, brown/red/black rice
•Fruits: Apples, pears, oranges, and berries
Try your best to avoid refined carbs & sugars as these can exacerbate inflammation and trigger blemishes.
Soy Milk as a dairy alternative is not ideal; it contains isoflavones that mimic estrogen, potentially disrupting hormonal balance.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) play a vital role in maintaining a healthy skin barrier, reducing inflammation, and regulating oil production. While fish-derived EFAs are common and most effective, there are excellent plant-based options for those avoiding animal products. Include the following EFA-rich foods:
•Evening primrose oil
•Coconut oil
•Olive oil
•Chia seeds
•Hemp seeds
•Flaxseeds
•Walnuts
•Avocados
•Seaweed
•Black seed oil (my personal favourite)
For your skincare ; Vitamin A is essential for rejuvenating skin, enhancing cell turnover, and maintaining a healthy complexion. However, topical Vitamin A derivatives, like retinol, are typically animal-based. During Lent, opt for plant-powered alternatives like Bakuchiol, a natural antioxidant extracted from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It mimics retinol’s benefits without irritation and aligns with a plant-based approach.
Enhance your Vitamin A intake through beta carotene-rich foods such as:
•Carrots
•Sweet potatoes
•Kale
•Apricots
•Rockmelon
•Spinach
•Papaya
•Mango
Wishing you and your family a blessed Lent. 🤍
