Looking at L.A. pharmacist, wellness expert, and social influencer Dr. Mona Vand, you might find yourself pondering: What is her secret?
It turns out she doesn't credit her clear, luminous complexion and radiant hair to a Beverly Hills facialist or new European serum with a hefty price tag. She’ll tell you that you probably have the ingredients for glowing skin, healthy hair and nails right in your refrigerator or pantry.
While many pharmacists believe in filling prescriptions, Vand believes true wellness comes from food and brings out your natural radiance before any primers and concealers come into play.
Sharing her food and beauty wisdom on her blog, Instagram, and shows like The Doctors, Vand balances foundational science with ancient truths. “I learned how to understand things at a chemical level,” says Vand. “This has ultimately helped me develop a greater grasp on the science behind nutrition and skincare/beauty.”
Here, she shares her favorite ways to boost beauty with food and conscious eating. Think: eating your water, flooding your body with antioxidants, and focusing on whole, organic plants.
Berries Over a Facial Mask
I cannot live without organic berries. They’re packed with antioxidants and vitamin C to help protect your skin from sun damage. Blueberries are vascular constrictors which help decrease redness in people with sensitive skin. And strawberries boost collagen fibers, keeping skin smooth and supple.
Water is Nature’s Best Eye Cream
I see instantly when I am not drinking enough water. The skin is less smooth, and I can see little lines and creases...lines where I don’t even have lines. Eating water-rich foods helps—reach for cucumber, lettuces, melons, and what else, berries.
Eliminate Problem-Skin Culprits
If your goal is clear and glowing skin, I recommend eliminating processed sugar, dairy, and harsh additives. Processed sugar causes an imbalance in your hormones, which can lead to hormonal acne, cystic acne, and whiteheads. Dairy is super inflammatory and hard for you to digest, which causes skin breakouts. Foods with preserving agents feel foreign to our bodies and can cause toxic build up.
But Don’t Sacrifice Sweets
I definitely have a little bit of a sweet tooth and sometimes I need something chocolatey after lunch or dinner. That’s why I am such a huge fan of cacao. It’s a no-brainer ingredient: No sugar, high in antioxidants, and tastes like chocolate. The Beauty Chocolates have become my go-to and I only need one for me to be satisfied. And they’re filled with plant-based collagen—bonus ingredients that make it much more enjoyable to eat.
Eat Things That Make You Feel Beautiful
The more beautiful something looks, the more beautiful you feel eating it. The simple act of filling your body with vibrant, whole things instantly make you feel happy, healthy and yes, prettier. Think about it: An overflowing bowl of ripe berries vs. chili cheese fries. What do you feel more beautiful eating?
Nourish Through the Lens of Radiant Skin
Eating with an emphasis on calories or a rigid diet is all about deprivation or avoidance. Instead, eat with the idea that what you’re putting in your body is benefiting your health, your energy, your appearance. Rich greens are hydrating my skin, berries are boosting my collagen intake, this cacao is anti-aging. When you think about it that way, you truly want to eat all these foods.
Sip a Smoothie for Radiant Skin and Shiny Hair
This green smoothie recipe is something I swear by. It’s easy, fresh and all of the ingredients bring the glow.
Ingredients:
2 cups spinach
1 cup kale
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 cup filtered water
1/2 cup coconut water (or all filtered water if you don't have coconut water)
1/2 banana
1 apple, sliced (core and stem removed)
Juice of one lemon
A few slices of fresh turmeric or grated ginger
Process:
