Don’t spend money on expensive face products that make dubious claims. Instead, do your best to improve your skin naturally through healthful eating! Here are some of the best foods for healthy, moisturized, clear and soft skin:
Blueberries
Who knew these sweet berries could have an impact on your face? Since blueberries are packed with antioxidants, they fight free radicals in the body. Aside from potentially causing diseases like cancer, free radicals also reduce collagen in the skin, making it more prone to wrinkles. You can slow down your skin’s aging with just 1/2 cup of blueberries per day, which pack more antioxidants than most people eat in one day!
Avocados
Though they often get a bad rap as the “butter of the vegetable world” due to their fat content, the omega-3 fats in avocados are actually very good for the body. Among a host of important functions, the alpha-linolenic acid in omega-3s also keeps skin soft and smooth, and it might reduce inflammation and prevent things like psoriasis. Plus, avocados have plenty of vitamin E, which can reduce dry skin, potentially reduce free radical damage and also protect against UV rays.
Almonds
When you need a boost of protein, have a healthy handful of almonds, which are also good for the skin because they contain vitamin E. One study showed that people who ate about 20 almonds per day – which contain about 14 milligrams of vitamin C in total – experienced less sunburns than those who had not.
Chocolate
Chocoholics, rejoice! There’s another good reason to enjoy your favorite treat. Research shows that cocoa is hydrating and firming. Dark chocolate is especially good for the skin because it contains high levels of flavonols, an antioxidant that can protect the skin from damage. For the highest dose of flavanols, choose a dark chocolate that is 70 percent cacao or higher.
Bell peppers
Snack on bell peppers – especially the red ones – for a super high dose of vitamin C. The yellow and orange veggies also have carotenoids – antioxidants that protect your skin against the sun.
Pomegranates
These tart, gourmet fruits have lots of vitamin C and even more antioxidants than both green tea and red wine. Pomegranates are good for skin health and can keep your face looking bright – but not shiny! If picking all of the seeds out of the bitter rind is just too tedious for you, splurge on a slightly expensive bottle of pomegranate juice to get the benefits without all of the work.
Kidney beans
Kidney beans – the large red ones that are perfect for a hearty chili – are also a good face food. Kidney beans contain high levels of zinc, which has been shown to be particularly low in people who have more blemishes on their faces. ‘Tis the season for a warm, spicy chili, and you’ll also be doing your skin a world of good.
