If you are wanting to achieve truly beautiful skin, get out of the cosmetics section and into the produce aisle! Beauty really is more than just skin-deep, and a clear and glowing complexion is often not a matter of choosing the right makeup but of eating the right diet. Below is a list of the very best foods you can eat for gorgeous, healthy skin.
Avocadoes
It should come as no surprise that avocadoes are so good for your skin: they are simply one of the healthiest foods you can include in your diet. What makes them so great for a lovely complexion is they are rich in biotin, a B-vitamin which supports the health of hair, nails and skin as well as vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant which is also an excellent skin tonic.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are also part of a generally good-for-you diet, but what makes them so attractive from a dermatological point of view is the fact that they are such a rich source of lycopene. Lycopene is a natural plant compound which can help protect the skin from damage due to sun exposure. They also are high in compounds called carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants that reduce skin cell damage and slow the aging process. They are best if in their processed state, such as in the form of tomato juice, sauce or paste.
Salmon
If you’re a salmon lover, rejoice! Eating this fish regularly is not just good for your heart, but for your skin as well. For one thing, it is one of the best natural sources for omega-3 fatty acids: a diet rich in these nutrients can leave the skin smoother and younger-looking and decrease the redness, dryness and discomfort of irritation and inflammation. As an added bonus, it also contains a compound called astaxrathin, which can help increase the skin’s elasticity and youthful-looking appearance.
Citrus Fruits
What makes citrus fruits so attractive in regards to beautiful skin is their high amounts of vitamin C. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant compound to reduce oxidative stress in the skin cells, it also in needed for the formation of collagen, which gives structure and firmness of the skin and can help prevent wrinkles or sagging. It also has proven anti-inflammatory properties.
Eggs
You will love your breakfast more than ever knowing that the eggs you are eating are going to help keep your skin beautiful. Eggs are rich in protein, which is needed for healthy skin cell growth, and are also a great source of vitamin A. This vitamin, along with zinc and vitamin C, is the most important when it comes to repair and renewal of the skin cells and its derivative, called tretinon, is used in many commercial products to fight acne.
Almonds
Almonds are another super-food that are super great for your skin! Like eggs, they are a great source of skin-nourishing protein and are also incredibly rich in vitamin E and selenium, to antioxidant nutrients which work together synergistically to protect skin from damage done by UV radiation. The vitamin E is also able to moisturize the skin and prevent dryness, redness and inflammation.
Blueberries
It is hardly surprising that blueberries would make this list, since they are not only incredibly rich in antioxidants (such as the anthocyanins that give them their deep, purple-blue color) but also in fiber. Fiber is important because it can help to detoxify your body naturally and help remove impurities or harmful substances that can leave the skin dull or discolored.
Spinach
Remember your mom chiding you to “eat your spinach” when you were a kid? This is actually one of the best foods you can eat for beautiful skin. It is a rich combination of nutrients that nourish the skin and keep in young, supple and smooth, including vitamins B, C and E, antioxidants like lutein, and omega 3 fatty acids.
Dark Chocolate
Okay, admit it, it won’t be any chore to include this one in your diet! Dark chocolate is also incredibly rich in antioxidants to fight free radical damage to the skin and it also contains compounds that can help keep the skin hydrated and protect it from damage due to sun exposure. However, in order for this to be affective, you must make sure that you are getting products that contain at least 60% cacao (this will usually be on the labels).
From dark chocolate to spinach to citrus fruit, the foods listed above will not only promote your general health: they also have the advantage of nourishing your skin and keeping it healthy and beautiful in a way that cosmetics can only hope to imitate.
