A Perfect Body-Cooling Food

 

Hi all! Just got back from the Farmers' Market with bags of gorgeous produce, including plenty of cucumbers! I was thinking about cucumbers because as I was choosing mine, I overheard someone mention something to the effect that cucumbers weren't a "superfood", so why bother with them. What? So not true! Cucumbers may look humble next to showier leafy vegetables and flashy fruits -- but they are packed with beautifying benefits! Here are a few of them.

Cucumbers:

• are loaded with water, which is great for hydration
• can help prevent water retention
• have body cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, which is especially important during the hot summer months
• contain collagen-boosting vitamin C and caffeic acid, both which help boost skin health and protect it from UV rays
• contain silica, a mineral that is essential for healthy connective tissue, and helps promote shiny hair, strong fingernails and glowing skin!

Cucumbers are also a source of fiber, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A. What's not to love? In my part of the world, now is the time to take advantage of organic field cucumbers. You can get ubiquitous hot-house cucumbers any time of year -- but field cucumbers, grown naturally under the sun, are more nutritious and beautifying!

Avoid the waxed, non-organic varieties if possible. With organic cucumbers, you can eat the skin, which is where you'll find the hair-and-skin beautifying silica! (And if you do get commercially grown, non-organic cucumbers, you can peel the skin before eating and still benefit from the nutrients in the flesh.)

I add cucumbers to smoothies and salads, and just enjoy munching them as a snack. They also give the most refreshing twist to regular water -- just add cucumber slices to a pitcher of water. It sounds so simple, but makes such a difference -- I know someone who rarely drinks plain water because she doesn't like the "taste", but she will drink cucumber water! :)

Enjoy, everyone!

Comments

[sl]

I tried the cucumber in water this morning, you're right it makes a difference & is very refreshing! I also tried the callus scrub and it works! Just wanted to tell you that your tips are really helpful. Thanks!

[BeautyCosmopolite]

Thanks, SL - it's great getting the feedback, much appreciated!! :)

[V]

http://blog.reneerouleau.com/2010/08/skin-care-tips-for-asians-from-celebrity-esthetician-renee-rouleau/

Your opinion on this and this: http://www.reneerouleau.com/Prescription.aspx

Also, having heard all my life from my family and friends (whose skin is in great condition) what is said about sunscreen in the first article, If i were to ask u to convince me not to use sunscreen with micronized zinc 365 days a year or most of the time (for example when working by my window) even though I love in a cool temp. UV rays penetrate rain or shine.. what would u say?

x

[V]

*live

[BeautyCosmopolite]

Hi V - I am not a fan of AHAs -- they can compromise your skin's protective barrier and cause skin issues in the long run. Since you are concerned about UV rays, I definitely recommend avoid using AHAs, which will make you more vulnerable to damage! (You have probably already gathered that much of my beauty advice is very different from what you might find with more mainstream sources like the article you sent.)
Regarding sunscreen, I can't convince you to not to use sunscreen every day. Clearly, it is a concern of yours. All I can tell you is that I do not wear sunscreen very often myself (in fact, I can't even remember the last time I wore it) -- I do not feel it is beneficial to my skin or health to have it covered with zinc everyday -- and I also believe that a moderate amount of sun is important for all of us. But I try to take several measures to boost the health of my skin, from plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, to supplements, to activities that enhance circulation, to protecting it with hats, etc. etc. I have no idea what your lifestyle is, what foods you eat, your current health status -- all these things make a difference. For example, if you are currently dealing with certain internal toxins, that will absolutely make a difference in how your skin reacts to sun.
What I can say is that worrying about not wearing sunscreen and the consequent effects on your skin can possibly have a detrimental effect in itself -- yes, our thoughts are THAT powerful! Since you are obviously not convinced that you can safely go without sunscreen, perhaps you want to wear one, just for peace of mind. I think I already gave you a suggestion in the past for one you could consider for daily use -- at least it appears to be quite clean, with non-toxic ingredients as far as I can tell (though I haven't tried it personally). Hope that helps!

[v]

If you are bust pls. let me know as I haven't yet recieved a reply to the email I sent you.

Also your take on these ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Mediacalm Complex (Boerhavia Root Extract), Phytic Acid, Salicylic Acid.

[v]

*busy

[A]

The only things i have gathered re. your arguments against sunscreen (when the majority of leading dermatologists say sunscreen is one of the best anti-aging remedies you will ever use along with a consistent balanced diet): 1) that skin eats thus the chemicals on a daily basis found in sunscreen can in the long-term age 2)that you often say the key is not getting burnt but what about the other imp. factors to prevent like premature ageing and skin cancer?? 3)that nanoparticles can be absorbed into the system which can be harmful thus: look for physical barriers like zinc and make sure they are micro sized thus they sit on the skin... but if you use this everyday there may be an accumulative affect which causes ageing again..

I feel insecure wearing shorts and sleeveless tops now during spring summmer..

[V]

Do you not like receiving comments/questions since you don't seem to answer much?

[BeautyCosmopolite]

Hi V - I do appreciate comments/feedback from readers, and always try to help with questions when I can, as you know from the personal responses I've sent you, as well as your questions I've addressed in the comments section. However, there are times when I'm extremely busy working with clients -- and as I'm sure you can appreciate, I devote a lot of time and attention to them, which means I can't always respond immediately to questions, as much as I'd like to. :)
Re: your questions on the various acids, I am not a fan -- for basically the same reasons that I wrote you above regarding the AHAs. Hope that helps!

[BeautyCosmopolite]

Hi A - As I mentioned, there are so many factors that contribute to premature aging and possibility of skin cancer. By the way, one of these factors is lack of vitamin D, so you do want to make sure you get a moderate amount of sun exposure on skin free of sunscreen, like your legs and arms. Again, since you are concerned about it, then it seems for peace of mind, you could consider wearing a natural, chemical-free, zinc-based sunscreen regularly on your face -- and also on the rest of your exposed skin when you are going to be out in the sun for significant periods of time. Ultimately, you must go with what makes you feel comfortable! :)