Even if you’ve found products that work well for your skin, there may still be times when you get a blemish or just want to add more radiance to your skin. A great complexion isn’t just about using the right facial cleansers and moisturizers, although you can discover more here.
What you eat is just as important as how you care for your skin externally. A healthy and balanced diet can help you maintain your youthful glow and even keep blemishes from forming. If you’ve been considering making some changes to your diet that will improve your health and your complexion, these suggestions could prove helpful.
Add Sweet Potatoes to Your Dinner
Adding lots of produce, including sweet potatoes, to your diet can keep your skin hydrated and glowing. Sweet potatoes are a reliable source of vitamin A, which enhances the color of your skin and brings out the gold or yellow tones in your complexion. Vitamin A is also essential for hydrating your skins cells, which can help you fight fine lines and wrinkles naturally.
Enjoy Almonds for a Snack
Almonds are great for the skin because they contain vitamin E, which helps your complexion maintain the proper moisture balance while shielding your skin from toxins in the environment and helping to fade dark spots. Vitamin E can also keep your skin from being sun-damaged, so eat a handful of almonds before lathering on some sunscreen and enjoying some time by the pool or at the beach.
Sunflower Seeds
You can also get the vitamin E you need from sunflower seeds. These seeds protect your body and skin from free radicals. Add sunflower seeds to raw almonds and add dried blueberries for a quick trial mix that nourishes the skin while helping you control your sugar and salt cravings throughout the day.
Fatty Fish
Fish that has a high fat content like tuna or salmon is beneficial for the skin because of omega-3 fatty acids. This substances metabolizes amino acids and supplies the body with biotin, which strengthens and clears the skin and encourages hair growth. The oil content in the fish also helps to moisturize the skin and keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay.
Complex Carbohydrates
When you eat too many processed foods like pasta and white rice, this can cause inflammation in the body, and this includes the skin. Processed foods can also make it easier for breakouts to form on your skin. For a clearer complexion, eat complex carbohydrates like whole grain pasta and brown rice. This keeps you full for longer periods of time and helps to balance your blood sugar so you can avoid breakouts and dull skin.
Chia Seeds
Add chia seeds to your smoothies and beverages or sprinkle little in your cereal for extra fiber. The seeds are also rich in fatty acids which moisturize the skin and make it easier for your body to get rid of toxins. This is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids if you’re vegetarian, and even if you’re omnivorous, chia seeds can add more nutrients to your diet and keep your skin healthy.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps to make your complexion brighter. This vitamin also strengthens your immune system which makes it easier for you to protect your skin from environmental toxins. You should also include more vitamin C in your diet to encourage the production of collagen, which firms and tightens the skin. If you have a hard time tolerating highly acidic foods and beverages, you should drink orange juice in moderation.
You can also create your own juices that contain fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon. These hydrate the skin contain enzymes that make it easier to digest food and clear the digestive system, which helps to make your skin clearer. Green vegetables like broccoli and kale are also beneficial for the skin, since they help to balance the hormones and supply the body with protein for energy and cell production. Of course, it’s also best to drink lots of water so that your skin will stay hydrated and free of impurities.
If you’re not sure which foods work best for your skin, keep a journal and observe the way your skin looks and feels after eating certain fruits, vegetables and whole grains.