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Whether you want brighter, firmer, younger or more even skin, the right products and a good diet can help you get there. We’ve discussed how to drink your way to better skin, but now we’ll take a look at all the foods that benefit skin, and why they’re so super.
Salmon
This king fish goes at the very top of the list because it’s so good in so many ways. Broiled, baked and grilled, yes, but also because it’s good for your skin, your eyes, your heart and your diet. Salmon is a reliable source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation. Inflammation not only causes digestive discomfort, but also contributes to a harsher skin appearance. While the omega-3s are battling the aging process by combating inflammation, they’re also allowing cells to hold more moisture—which results in softer, less blotchy skin—and the fish’s vitamin D helps produces compounds that protect against skin infections. Win-win-win!
Kiwi
When looking for a fruit high in vitamin C, skip the orange and head straight for the brown. Kiwis pack almost 120 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C in every single furry fruit! A report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition proved that higher intakes of the nutrient were associated with less dryness and less noticeable wrinkles. Vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis, which smooths fine lines and keeps skin taught.
Flaxseed Oil
Make this your go-to superfood if you’re battling red or dry skin. Flax is abundant in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help skin retain moisture, limiting roughness and dryness. The British Journal of Nutrition published an investigation that determined that flaxseed oil consumption can reduce skin reddening. Try drizzling it on top of your favorite yogurt snack. Which brings us to …
Yogurt
While dairy can be a main cause of inflammation, Greek yogurt can be pretty beneficial to any diet. The protein found in yogurt—which helps skin become firmer and more resistant to lines—is often doubled in the Greek variety. All it takes is a single serving a day to to smooth your complexion.
Brazil Nuts
This giant-sized nut is an excellent source of selenium. According to research from scientists in Australia, blood with high levels of the mineral were associated with a 60 percent decrease in skin cancer incidents. It’s believed that selenium works as an antioxidant, protecting against skin damage caused by exposure to the sun.
Butternut Squash
This fall and winter staple gourd is a good source of carotenoids, powerful antioxidants that may improve skin tone by reducing skin cell damage, resulting in more luminous skin.
Tomatoes
A 2008 UK study found that people who ate 5 tablespoons of tomato paste daily (along with almost a tablespoon of olive oil) for 12 weeks had 33 percent more protection from sunburn than a control group that only had olive oil. Cooked, processed tomatoes contain higher levels of lycopene which improves skin’s natural SPF. (This is not a substitute for applying sunscreen every day!)
Olive Oil
Start using this as a butter substitute as soon as possible! A 2012 study in PLOS ONE found that women who consumed at least two teaspoons a day of olive oil showed 31% fewer signs of aging, compared with women who had only one teaspoon. The study also tested sunflower and peanut oils, but they paled in comparison; about 75 percent of the fat in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids, which may assist with a youthful appearance. Also, the antioxidant polyphenols in olive oil could fight damaging free radicals. Need more reasons? How about …
Bell Peppers
Or, really any green and yellow veggies. A study in the British Journal of Nutrition determined that people who eat up to 250 grams (one large pepper is about 190 grams) of green and yellow vegetables regularly had fewer wrinkles, especially around the eyes, than those who ate about 70 grams a day. Yellow peppers pack an extra punch because they contain carotenoids which can decrease the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Soy
You can thank your soy latte for your clear complexion. One cup of soy a day can reduce dark spots and fine lines, and improve skin elasticity. The minerals and proteins in soy help with the hyperpigmentation, while the aglycone can keep collagen from breaking down.
Sunflower Seeds
Baseball players may be doing more for their skin than they realize with this dugout favorite. Sunflower seeds are loaded with vitamin E to keep your skin supple and pimple-free, and protect its top layers from the sun. Sunflower seed oil is also great because its high essential-fatty-acid content helps dried out body parts like lips and heels. Vitamin E also enhances immune function, helping your body fight off the inflammation that leads to acne.
What’s your go-to super food?
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