If you find yourself admiring the porcelain complexion and luscious locks of Korean celebrities, you certainly are not alone. While they are known for their diligent and at times excessive beauty regime, these celebs don’t just rely on lotions and creams to get good skin and hair.
They are also focused on nutrition because they know that you are what you eat. Here are some of the foods celebs like IU and Lee Sung Kyung eat for that luminescent glow and healthy silky tresses.
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The model-actress maintains her blemish-free complexion and gorgeous locks by noshing on red meat. Even though red meat gets a bad rap for its saturated fat and cholesterol content, lean red meat contains loads of protein and zinc which can be helpful with treating skin conditions like acne.
To produce collagen, one of the most important building blocks to beautiful skin and hair, your body needs amino acids glycine and proline, and the protein in red meat is replete with these two amino acids. Additionally, zinc, a natural anti-inflammatory agent is also crucial for collagen production.
The secret to singer IU’s lit-from-within glow and silky tresses? Strawberries. The fruit is packed with Vitamin C and powerful anti-oxidants that works to brighten the skin tone. A natural alternative to anti-aging creams and lotions, strawberries prevents the skin from sagging and creasing.
They are also a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that staves off the signs of ageing by protecting the skin from oxidative stress. The vitamin C in strawberries also helps with iron absorption that can promote hair growth and prevent split ends.
The K-pop star who has her own fashion label, Blanc and Eclare boasts luminous clear skin that has been the envy of many since her debut in 2007. The singer maintains her plump and supple skin by sipping on red wine. Red wine contains polyphenols that have been championed for its anti-ageing properties by protecting the skin against free radicals which are a big contributor to fine lines and wrinkles.
That said, since red wine also contains, alcohol, which is notoriously bad for your skin, drink in moderation. The Singapore Health Promotion Board recommends no more than half a glass of wine (approximately 175 ml) a day.
From singing on stage to acting in dramas like “The Bride of Habaek” and “Wise Prison Life”, how does the busy star keep her skin looking so fresh and vibrant all the time? Her beauty secret is surprisingly easy to follow.
If you want to achieve Krystal’s youthful and radiant complexion, you might want to reach for that dark chocolate bar. Dark chocolate can help to reduce stress hormones which in turn leads to less collagen breakdown in the skin and hence fewer wrinkles. Additionally, the anti-oxidant, flavonol, found in chocolate can help the skin to protect itself from sun damage, fight free radicals and increase blood flow so you can that lit-from-within glow.
That being said, the only chocolate that can deliver beauty benefits is dark chocolate bars with at least 70 per cent cocoa in it, which doesn’t apply to most sweet treats found in the candy aisles, so pick wisely.
If you want the K-pop singer’s glowing complexion, make sure you are sipping on some Pu Erh tea. The former Girls’ Generation member who has been picking up Mandarin gushed about the drink on Instagram, “I’m drinking Pu Erh tea. Just like a “car wash” for your body, tea cleanses your system and gets rid of unwanted toxins in your body”, she wrote. As Yuri rightly mentioned, the tea is regulary consumed with meals in China to eliminate toxins in the body, aid digestion and metabolise fat.
This is also the reason why Pu-erh is such a good beauty drink – our digestive system is where we absorb vital nutrients from our foods and where we get rid of unwanted waste. By keeping our digestive function in tip-top condition, we help our skin steer clear of dullness as well as irritation like breakouts and eczema.
Here’s a shocker for fans of Korean dramas. The actress who has been active in both the South Korean and Chinese entertainment industries turns 37 in March.
The doe-eyed beauty who does not look a day over 20 maintains her flawless mien by eating long beans. This vegetable is boasts an impressive anti-oxidant capacity as well as vitamin C, A, K, calcium, potassium, folate, fibre and iron, all of which combine to boost the skin’s ability to fight the signs of ageing.
In addition to scoring the lead role in the highly successful historical film Ansi City, the member of South Korean girl group AOA is also known for her poreless looking complexion and voluminous mane.
Seolhyun keeps her healthy skin by sneaking in lettuce into her diet. This anti-oxidant and omega-3 rich green leafy vegetable helps to fight inflammation and improve skin and hair health.
The model maintains her dewy complexion by loading up on watermelon. The refreshing fruit is made of 96 per cent water, but the benefits don’t just stop at intense hydration.
Packed with citrulline, lycopene and anti-oxidants, the humble watermelon improves blood circulation and is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and protects your skin from free radicals.
The 25-year-old actress who best known for her role in the fantasy romantic comedy drama “A Korean Odyssey”, keeps her skin in tip-top condition by incorporating yogurt into her diet. Greek yogurt contains calcium, protein, potassium and vitamins that are not only good for health, but are also a great source of nutrients that promote strong and healthy hair growth.
Also packed with riboflavin, vitamin B6, B12 and protein, a daily serving of plain, unflavored yogurt can also help to detoxify your skin. Ensure that you are consuming Greek yogurt that will assist your colon to purge waste in the body and not dairy-based yogurt that may instead lead to more breakouts.
Text: Letty Seah/Herworld