The real secret to glowing, healthy skin is not what lotions you use, or how you apply your makeup, it’s what you eat. Study after study has now proven that the food that you eat and your lifestyle choices can have a direct impact on your complexion and on the rate at which your skin will age. Eating more fresh food and staying well hydrated will have a virtually instant positive effect on your skin and there are some foods that have been proven to be better for skin than others. If you want to have a clear and fresh looking complexion and you want to keep the wrinkles at bay for as long as possible, forget wasting your money on the latest wonder skin care product, just add these amazing foods to your diet instead.
1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the greatest breakfast foods, and there are many reasons for that. Oatmeal is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, as well as copper, selenium, manganese, and vitamins B and E, which are crucial for healthy, glowing skin. It also has plenty of other health benefits, such as boosting your immune system, preventing weight gain, stabilizing blood sugar levels and providing you with sustainable energy.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries also deserve their place in our list of foods that are good for your skin. Blueberries are high in antioxidants, which protect your skin against ageing and they also contain vitamins A and C. Adding blueberries to your diet will help prevent lines and wrinkles forming, and it will also help to keep your skin clear of breakouts and blotches.
3. Salmon
Salmon and other similar fish, such as swordfish and tuna are good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be able to protect your skin from the early signs of ageing that exposure to sunlight can cause and they help to reduce inflammation in the skin. Salmon also contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, which will help to fight the damage that can be caused by free radicals.
4. Dark chocolate
You probably didn’t expect to see chocolate in the list of foods that are good for your skin. People used to think that eating chocolate caused breakouts, but that has now been disproven. In fact, eating dark chocolate, with at least 80% cocoa content is good for your heart and your cardiovascular system, and it helps to protect your skin as well. Chocolate helps to hydrate the skin and it contains a healthy dose of potent flavonoid antioxidants.
5. Pomegranates
A glass or two of pomegranate juice will do wonders for your skin too. Pomegranates are packed full of polyphenol antioxidants, which help to regulate the blood flow to the skin and fight free radicals. They will slow the onset of the signs of ageing and help give you a healthy looking rosy complexion.
6. Walnuts
Eating a handful of walnuts a day will help to keep your skin soft and improve the texture of skin. Walnuts are another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which improve the elasticity of skin, and they also contain a lot of copper, which boosts the production of collagen.
7. Whole grains
Ditching refined flour and white rice in favour of whole grain foods will give you a health boost all around. It will improve your digestion, so that your body can rid itself of toxins easily and it will provide you with a longer lasting source of energy. Whole grains are also much better for your skin, because they contain more folate, niacin, zinc and magnesium, all of which are nutrients that you need to maintain a healthy complexion and to fight skin infections.
8. Spinach
Spinach is one of the most amazing foods that are good for your skin. You could try adding spinach to your salads, smoothies or eating it as a vegetable, because spinach has some pretty remarkable skin care properties. As is the case with most leafy green vegetables, spinach is a good source of vitamins B, C and E, and the minerals iron, calcium and magnesium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
9. Peppers
Studies have found that women who eat a lot of red, green and yellow peppers seem to have fewer wrinkles, particularly around their eyes. It is known that brightly coloured vegetables of any kind contain high levels of carotenoids, which are a type of antioxidant that can reduce the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
10. Tomatoes
Although they are often thought of as being in the superfood league, tomatoes are extremely good for your skin. Rich in vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, E, K and C, as well as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc and dietary fiber, tomatoes make a wonderful natural supplement to your balanced diet that will benefit not only the beauty of your skin, but your health in general.
Do you know other foods that are good for your skin?
Stay healthy!
