THERE?S ONLY SO MUCH BEAUTY products can do. Creams and lotions can do wonders for the skin, but one?s diet is, by far, the most crucial when it comes to having healthy skin. Beauty depends on your overall health.

For your skin to look attractive and vibrant, you must make healthy lifestyle choices. A great place to start is with the food you eat.

Eating certain foods can dramatically improve the appearance of one?s skin, hair, nails and eyes. You should pay special attention to ?phytocompounds.? These are substances that provide health benefits beyond nutrition requirements. Phytocompounds undergo chemical changes in your body that promote good health.

A diet rich in phytocompounds can stimulate DNA repair, increase collagen production, reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. This not only keeps you healthy but also keeps you looking young. Moreover, phytocompounds in a person?s diet may help prevent disease.

Phytocompounds are classified into these groups:

Terpenes: carotenes, limonoids, and saponins

Organosulfur compounds: indoles, glucosinolates, thiosulfonates and isothiocyanates

Phenols: polyphenols and isoflavones

Organic acid-polysaccharides: gallic acid

Tips

You find them in color. Green plants contain chlorophyll. The orange, yellow and red-orange of carrots, squash and tomatoes contain terpenes. The anthocyanidins in beets, blueberries, cherries, purple grapes and purple cabbage give them their coloration. Many phytocompounds also have a strong odor due to the presence of sulfur. Onions, garlic, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli contain organosulfurs.

It won?t take long before you start seeing the benefits beauty foods bring. You will see instant results in the health of your skin, the way it looks and feels. Just listen to the testimonials of these two women:

?I use honey for almost everything; it?s a good substitute for refined sugar, which is believed to contribute to aging. It?s a healthier option to anything that requires a sweetening, such as marinates, dips, tea and yoghurt. I use it to caramelize almonds and walnuts in my salads. I even use it as remedy for cough and sore throat.? ?Patty Ortega, commercial model

?The nature of my work takes a toll on my skin, so I give it extra attention. I take a lot of oats which are high in fiber and contain properties that keep skin healthy by maintaining collagen levels. I also drink a lot of water which is the best way to keep the body healthy and hydrated.? ?Michelle Panemanglor, print and runway model

Beauty foods to store in fridge

Blueberries: These blue little balls are among nature?s most potent anti-aging foods. They help keep skin elasticity, strengthen gums and lead to healthy eyes.

Avocados: These contain folate which helps blood formation. This is essential for cell regeneration.

Carrots: Have lots of beta-carotene which is a powerful antioxidant.

Papaya: When applied as paste on skin, its enzymes help break down dead skin cells.

Cucumber: A great source of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for increasing collagen production.

Natural alternatives

Our skin easily absorbs chemicals found in our beauty products. Next time you shop, look for more natural alternatives. Try Pureology color care shampoos. They are free of harsh color-stripping sulfates and salts, and use cleansing agents that are naturally derived from coconut, corn and sugar, making them mild, yet giving a rich lather to ensure lustrous, radiant color.