There is one simple truth in skin care; healthy skin starts with a healthy diet. So before you spend your hard earned cash on the latest and greatest skincare product, give these foods a chance. Often times the solution to healthy skin is not a lotion, injection, or product!
Changing what you eat can be difficult, but the rewards can be immense. Not only can these foods help your skin, but they can also help you lead a healthier lifestyle in general. Try incorporating these foods a little bit at a time and wait for the results! You may be surprised!
1. Sweet Potatoes.
Sweet Potatoes are good for a lot of reasons, but one of the best qualities concerning healthy skin is the high content of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is great for skin because it helps promote healthy skin cells. When skin cells rejuvenate, it helps your skin to stay fresh and appear younger looking. Another good source of Vitamin A is low-fat dairy products. So if you really just hate sweet potatoes, make sure you get your Vitamin A somewhere else!
2. Blueberries.
Blueberries, Blackberries, and Strawberries are all high in antioxidants. What’s the big deal about antioxidants? Antioxidants act as a bodyguard for the skin—from the inside out. They can prevent damage done to your skin by the sun or just by life, and they can even repair damage that has already been done. Like Vitamin A, they can help the rejuvenation process of skin cells. Most nuts are also high in antioxidants, so having an afternoon snack of fruit and nuts can help your skin while being delicious!
3. Salmon.
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is great for skin cells! The omega-3 fatty acids help to reinforce the cell membrane, which can lead to softer, more supple looking skin because the cell membrane helps retain water in the cells. Other foods that are like salmon in their fatty acid content are walnuts, flax seeds, and other types of seafood. Here is a great trick: if you are into smoothies, throw a packet of flax seeds in the mix. They are incredibly healthy and you can’t even taste them in a smoothie! There are easy ways to incorporate these good, fatty acids into your diet in order to ensure healthier skin.
4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is one of the best kept secrets in skin care. Not only does it contain a ton of antioxidants that are good for fighting cancer as well as promoting healthy skin cells, but it can also be used on your skin. Most people are so accustomed to buying that magical lotion that will make your skin look 200 years younger that they would never even consider using something that most people have in their kitchen pantry as a moisturizer. However, using olive oil as a moisturizer has been done for centuries and actually does help repair damage done to your skin. Replacing butter with olive oil in your diet can help you gain the antioxidants you need while eliminating the “bad fats” that are contained in butter. Whether you are using olive oil topically, or as your new favorite ingredient in cooking, it is a good investment!
5. Whole Wheat Bread.
White bread, white rice, and sugar are some of the leading causes of break-outs. Replacing these “bad carbs” with whole wheat and whole grains can greatly increase your health. One of the biggest myths in dieting is that all carbs are bad for you. Whole wheat and whole grains are actually very good for you because they contain the mineral selenium, which has antioxidant properties. In most processing of grains, the selenium is destroyed, which is why white bread is a “bad carb” but whole wheat bread is a “good carb.” So the next time your friends judge you for eating so many carbs, just tell them that you are helping your skin out by choosing whole grains!
6. Turkey.
Turkey contains twice the amount of zinc as most other white meats. Zinc leads to protein production, which leads to healthy levels of collagen, which means that it actually is “anti-aging.” Other foods similar to turkey are tuna and brazil nuts. In order to get high enough levels of zinc, you can eat a small amount of turkey, which is also low in fat, and let your body and your skin feel the benefits of that protein!
7. Black or Green Tea.
Let’s just admit it, we all have caffeine addictions. For some of us it is coffee, others it is soda, and maybe for a select few it is dark chocolate. So this addiction is not just going to disappear. And let’s be honest, if a caffeine addiction is your only vice, you are doing pretty well! In order to get that caffeine and help your skin at the same time, try drinking black or green tea instead of your usual drink of choice. Black and green teas contain high levels of antioxidants that coffee and other drinks don’t have. Although you might have to adjust to that change, your skin will thank you in the end!
8. Water.
Ah, water. With the way that everyone talks about how much water you should drink a day, you would think that it has some kind of magical properties. However, it isn’t magical—just logical. Our bodies are made up of more than 50% water. In order to keep our bodies functioning well, we need to keep them hydrated. The benefits that skin get from water are incredible because it helps the skin cells to stay hydrated, which makes skin appear younger and healthier. Drink more water and your entire body will feel healthier and your skin will be beautiful!