You already know what you need to put on your face to get your best skin but what about the foods that can give you a clear, glowing complexion? Healthy skin needs hydrating Omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins for collagen production and several trace minerals for cell repair and protection. Sure you can take a bunch of vitamin supplements but isn’t it more fun feeding your face AND getting the skin of your dreams?
Presenting the top food for skin problems to help you with your skin woes!
1
Skin Moisturizer: Dark chocolate
Why would have thought reaching for a bar of dark choc to satisfy your sweet tooth would be so skin nourishing? Dark chocolate is full of flavanoids, an antioxidant that protects skin from UV damage. A German study has also proved that flavanoids in dark chocolate improve skin hydration and increase blood flow. Now where’s that bar of chocolate?
2
Skin Protector: Turmeric
This is a hero ingredient when it comes to diet for skin problems. Turmeric ranks sixth on the ORAC scale that measures the antioxidant properties of foods, just under cloves and cinnamon. Antioxidants are essential for protecting the integrity of skin by preventing free radical damage that destroys texture and elasticity. Turmeric promotes the action of elastin and collagen that give skin firmness. Plus the vibrant yellow color, curcurmin, is a powerful antioxidant that guards against skin cancer.
3
Inflammation Fighter: Caffeine
Your daily cup of java protects you against free radical damage, redness and inflammation, according to a Seoul National University study. Another study at the University of Tennessee revealed that adding caffeine to anti-inflammatory creams reduced under-eye puffiness, tightened and brightened skin, and melted away cellulite. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition report says that one serving of coffee has more antioxidants than a serving of mixed fruit! Need any more reasons to have your daily cuppa?
4
Collagen-Booster: Quinoa
We all know that whole grains—millets, whole wheat, brown rice and quinoa—are superior to refined carbs in many ways including their impact on skin. Quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds and nuts are rich in selenium, an antioxidant that prevents cell damage and protein that help build collagen from the inside out. The result: firmer, luminous skin.
5
Skin Firmer: Seafood and Walnuts
Fatty fish and Walnuts are a great source of Vitamin A, Zinc and Selenium that help create collagen. Fish, in fact, is one of the best food sources for Omega-3 Fatty Acids and protein. Plus, it’s full of Vitamin D and Selenium to keep skin supple and youthful and help skin cells retain moisture.
6
Skin Cleanser: Garlic
Garlic contains a range of compounds including Allicin, a pungent sulfur-rich, oily liquid that gives crushed garlic cloves their characteristic smell. Allicin has powerful anti-bacterial properties and fights harmful bacterial and viral flare-ups including acne breakouts and skin infections. Add it to food or have two to three raw cloves in the a.m. with a glass of water.
7
Skin Detoxer: Cabbage
Now you know why the Cabbage Soup Diet is so popular! Alexis Wolfer, author of The Recipe for Radiance, suggests a healthy dose of cabbage when your skin feels splotchy, red and inflamed. Cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are packed with a powerful antioxidant Indole-3-Carbinol that supports liver detoxification. And as we all know, a toxin- free liver= breakout-free skin!
8
Acne Fighters: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Pumpkins
Think every orange-yellow colored fruit and veggie on the planet. These three in particular are a powerful source of Beta Carotene that gets converted to Vitamin A in the body. And as we know Vitamin A—the key ingredient in acne fighting formulas—helps control the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands.
