What you eat affects more than just your waistline
There’s a lot of buzz around “beauty foods,” and while there may be some debate as to the actual degree that a specific food can affect the way you look, there's no question that a large part of the health of your skin is a reflection of your diet. If you're consistently eating overly processed, sugary, salty, fatty foods, it’s likely that your skin will be inflamed and uneven. In fact, there’s scientific evidence that links unhealthy skin with dairy and sugar consumption. So, what should you eat for a healthy complexion? We did a lot of the work for you and made a simple list of the most common foods, drinks, and vitamins.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in antioxidants including a particularly powerful one called lycopene. There’s a whole skincare line, Yes to Tomatoes, based on this – but ingesting the fruit is more effective than topical application of beauty products. Lycopene supports skin health and may help skin’s SPF.*
Vitamin C Rich Foods
Speaking of vitamin C, it’s a powerful antioxidant* so look for any foods with high levels – including citrus fruits, kale, red peppers, guava, strawberries, and Brussels sprouts (that’s right, you’re not limited to oranges!). It’s a popular ingredient for topical skincare products and good for the skin when ingested.
Biotin
Biotin (also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H) supports healthy skin, hair, and nails.* While it’s produced in our bodies from intestinal bacteria and found in foods like egg yolks, salmon, and leafy greens, many people find taking a daily supplement helps.
All Vegetables
Veggies, which are naturally rich in water, are like the body’s natural lotion. They create moisture in the skin and plump up the cells.*
Avocado
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which means that they can moisturize your skin from the inside out while giving it a glow with it’s anti-inflammatory properties.*
Spices like Turmeric and Ginger
These spices can help fight inflammation and calm the skin.*
Dark Chocolate
It’s not all healthy foods that can help the skin. Dark chocolate can support hydration and circulation.*
Non-Dairy Milk
Dairy is known to increase skin issues, so avoiding the product and going for the non-dairy milk might prove to be more beneficial.*
Pumpkin
Pumpkins, which are rich in vitamins, may help soften skin.*
Wild Salmon, Sardines, Tuna, and Herring
These three fish are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which is generally lacking in a normal diet. They’re powerful anti-inflammatories and can support soft skin with their oils.*
Tea Tree Oil
Not all natural products should be eaten, though. Some people try to settle a pimple by eating tea leaves- the only thing you’ll get from that is an upset stomach. Instead, try applying it topically.
Water
This one may seem obvious, but it’s the most important one and therefore must be underlined. You must drink water! Drinking water, most obviously, does what it’s good at- keeps your skin hydrated. If you have trouble upping your water intake, focus on loading up on water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, naturally flavored water (no fillers or added sugars), or green tea.
As always, please consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.