Now that you’ve been out in the working world and long-since done with those good ole days of being an Ah Boy (good riddance to three-digit pay!), it must indeed feel great to no longer have to put on your number 4 and turn out at 3am.

That said, going back for reservist training would without a doubt be a pain — digging up all your old gear, your uniform and your dusty field pack once a year is enough to make you wish you chao kenged during your NSF days.

And don’t even get started on all the acne-causing things about it: that helmet strap, industrial-duty insecticide on your face, not being able to shower for days outfield and applying camo cream without realising it expired two years ago. (By the way, make sure you continue practising water parades because staying hydrated keeps your skin lookin’ good.)

Since products aren’t the easiest thing to figure out or waste time with, you may wish to consider this potential alternative method to improve your skin — eating!

Here are 10 things you could eat a bit more of that may help things a little:

1. Orange foods

Stuff that comes in this colour contain a magic skin-friendly ingredient: beta-carotene (incidentally, where the name “carrot” comes from, as you might have realised). Apart from being a safe convertible source to active vitamin A (aka retinol, which supports your vision and immune system apart from just your skin), it also is an antioxidant that protects your body from cell-damaging particles known as free radicals — just make sure you get it through food and not excessively by supplements.

Some examples of orange food include carrots, herbs and spices like chilli powder, oregano and paprika, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and apricots.

2. Prawns

Shrimp contain astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids, two other antioxidants that protect your skin from premature ageing. Now hear us out — we acknowledge ageing may not be that much of an issue to most guys, but your skin will thank you later.

It seems they’re good for your hair too (receding hairline, anyone?) — prawns also contain zinc, which plays an important role in the production of new cells (including hair cells and skin cells). This means it’ll repair your skin, and hence heal your acne scars, more quickly. It also helps maintain the oil-secreting glands on your skin and scalp, to keep your skin’s oils in balance and hair shiny.

3. Onions and garlic

These may not be the most exciting things to eat raw, but sulphurs like quercetin found in onions are effective particularly for anti-inflammation and scar healing, as antioxidants, as well as to slow down skin ageing and again, ward off free radicals that harm it.

Plus point: If you’re afraid of the strong sting from raw onions, cooking them in soup won’t destroy the quercetin; instead it remains in the soup, so as long as you drink it, you’re good. With their natural barrier against attacks, onions require the least pesticides out of most vegetables, and so are “cleaner” to eat.

Garlic has been found to deliver similar benefits to those of onions.

4. Almonds

Apart from being rich in calcium and being good for your bones, almonds have plenty of vitamin E, which is a highly skin-friendly nutrient. And our ancestors knew this — for centuries, almond oil has been used to treat dry skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and today, moisturisers also contain almond oil for its effectiveness in rejuvenating dry skin and reducing post-operation scars.

So if you’re too lazy to slap on moisturiser, why not pop a few almonds as a mid-day snack? There are plenty of benefits to eating almonds with their skins on too.

5. Red Peppers

As a chief source of Vitamin C, which is present in the highest amounts here in particular (as opposed to yellow or green peppers), eating red peppers will give you the stuff that forms collagen, which builds up your skin cells — bones too. Get scrapes a lot from playing football or sports? This will help in recovery.

Added plus: Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant too. Red peppers also have Vitamin A, which we elaborated on further earlier as well (see point 1).

6. Omega 3-rich fish (or Omega 3 supplements)

Like prawns (see point 2), fish such as Mackerel, herring, trout, flounder, tuna and salmon are also rich in Omega3, which may benefit your skin by regulating oil production to boost hydration, as well as prevent acne. It also helps check the skin’s aging process, so that means less wrinkles. Other benefits include protection against the sun and being an anti-inflammatory agent.

7. Lean beef

In addition to helping you become lean, mean fighting machines, red meat is most likely your best source of skin-repairing zinc. Fall short on zinc, and you’ll might fall prey to inflammation and ashes. Also notice we said lean beef, not fatty beef — so hold off those patties for awhile.

8. Dark chocolate

Short of expensive anti-aging chocolate, regular dark chocolate can provide you with similar benefits. The iron, calcium and vitamins A, B1, C, D and E help to repair dry skin and leave it glowing. Need more reasons? Dark chocolate can be applied to the skin to provide defence against sun damage — although that would probably result in ants crawling all over your body, so maybe not.

9. Green tea

It’s a common belief that green tea’s antioxidant properties help in maintaining good skin. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what researchers from Case Western Reserve University in the US say about green tea.

"The outcome of the several experimental studies suggests that green tea possess anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders. Although more clinical studies are needed, supplementation of skin care products with green tea may have a profound impact on various skin disorders in the years to come."

TL;DR: Green tea also helps in keeping your crazy skin in check.

10. Whole grains

Aside from a whole bunch of health benefits, whole grains such as quinoa, barley, wheat and brown rice are rich in Vitamin E (See point 4).

In addition, whole grains are ranked low on the glycemic index and produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin level. Why does this matter? When you eat refined carbs such as white rice, white bread or noodles, your insulin spikes, and this can cause a boost in certain hormones called androgens, which cause acne.

That probably means you’ll have to cut back on those bowls of Bak Chor Mee. Ugh.

If you’re keener to see more instant results, you may wish to consider stepping up your game. Experience two sessions of the Indiba AgeReversa System at Men’s Skin Centres (did you know there was one, specially for you guys?) — you’ll be glad you did.

A small investment of $280, as opposed to the usual $760, will go a long way in helping to do a bunch of things all at once: it delivers unique Proionic® monopolar waves right into your skin cells, it actively passes through multiple skin layers to create maximum age-defying results, and as your skin's metabolism improves and collagen production heightens, new skin cells regenerate faster — your skin becomes firmer, clearer and more hydrated than before.

And while the above may all sound like Greek to you, just know this simple formula:

Invest in skin treatment → Skin looks good → Go on date → Get some. Rinse and repeat.

We’ve got a handy form for you to fill up below with your info (kept strictly confidential and handled directly by Men's Skin Centre), or click here for more details about the treatment!

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