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We all want glowing skin free of acne and dry patches. With so many skincare products on the market—some with hefty price tags—it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for our skin. But did you know that what we eat also plays a role in how our skin looks and performs?
The type of food we consume daily can either help with our skincare routine or do just the opposite—leading to breakouts, inflammation, and premature ageing.
If you struggle with your skin and even the best skincare products seem not to do the trick, it might be time to take a closer look at your diet.
In this article, we will explore the best foods for healthy skin. (An added bonus of eating healthy food is that it also benefits our weight, our mental health and other organs.)
Best Food For Healthy Skin
Let’s dive right into the best types of food you can eat to achieve glowing, healthy skin.
1. Avocados
Avocados consist of healthy fats.
Healthy fats are unsaturated fat molecules that have a positive impact on our health. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which keep the skin moisturised and flexible.
Not only does it hydrate our skin from within, but it also contains vitamin E. Vitamin E is full of antioxidants that help protect our skin from oxidative damage caused by environmental factors and ageing.
2. Fatty Fish
Fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help keep our skin supple and moisturised. Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce redness and irritation.
Fatty fish also contain vitamin E, which, as mentioned before, is a powerful antioxidant for healthy skin.
3. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gets converted to vitamin A in our bodies.
Vitamin A helps protect our skin from sun damage and promotes healthy cell turnover for smoother, oilier, and brighter skin.
4. Dark Chocolate
For those of us who have a sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know that dark chocolate can actually be good for our skin.
Unlike normal chocolate, which may cause a skin breakout, dark chocolate has been found to hydrate the skin, improve blood flow, and protect against sun damage.
Be sure to buy dark chocolate with a minimum of 70% cocoa to reap its skin benefits.
5. Red Grapes
Red grapes contain a compound called resveratrol.
Resveratrol has anti-ageing properties and can improve skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production.
Collagen, as we know, have many benefits for our skin and hair, including reducing the appearance of wrinkles and promoting stronger nails.
6. Broccoli
Broccoli may not be a favourite for everyone, but its health benefits for the skin are undeniable.
It is a great source of vitamins A and C and zinc.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage and aids in collagen production, promoting a firm and youthful complexion. Vitamin A helps regulate oil production, and zinc is important for wound healing and reducing inflammation.
7. Green Tea
Green tea is known for its many health benefits, including improved brain function and weight loss.
But did you know that it also has benefits for our skin?
Green tea contains catechins, a group of antioxidants that can protect the skin from sun damage and may even help prevent skin cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe irritated or inflamed skin.
Regularly drinking green tea may also improve overall skin health and give us a radiant complexion.
So, next time you need a hot beverage, consider swapping your coffee for a cup of green tea.
What Foods Should You Avoid For Healthy Skin?
What we put in our bodies and what we avoid can affect the health of our skin.
Here are some foods to limit or avoid for healthy skin:
Processed Food
Processed foods like chips, cookies, and frozen meals are often high in unhealthy fats, sugar and salt.
These ingredients can cause inflammation in the body, which can manifest on our skin as acne or breakouts.
Processed foods also lack important nutrients that are essential for healthy skin.
Sugar
Consuming excessive amounts of sugar can lead to a process called glycation, in which sugar bonds with proteins in the body, creating advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
AGEs can damage collagen and elastin, leading to premature ageing and sagging skin.
Excess sugar intake has also been linked to increased oil production in the skin, potentially causing acne.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes dehydration in the body.
When our skin is dehydrated, it can become dry and lacklustre, making wrinkles and fine lines more visible.
Alcohol also dilates blood vessels, leading to redness and puffiness in the face.
Dairy
Dairy products, especially milk, contain hormones that can stimulate oil production in the skin.
This excess oil can clog pores and contribute to acne breakouts.
High Glycemic Index Foods
Foods with a high glycemic index (GI) are quickly digested and cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.
This can increase inflammation in the body and lead to an overproduction of oil in the skin, causing acne.
Some examples of high-GI foods are white bread, potatoes, and sugary drinks.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose have been linked to increased risk of acne breakouts.
They can also disrupt gut bacteria, which can affect skin health.
Achieve A Glowing, Healthy Skin Today!
The best food for healthy skin is a balanced and nutritious diet.
Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your diet and start to see a difference in your skin’s appearance.
And don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day!
Get A Diet That Includes These Foods At Slender Wonder
Slender Wonder believes in creating an eating plan that helps people lose weight and heal their bodies on multiple levels.
Contact us at Slender Wonder to learn more about the health benefits of following our diet, which also contains the best food for healthy skin!
