Foods that Create Healthier Skin




Just like the weather, skin goes through its seasons. You may suffer from dryness in the winter, flares of rosacea in the summer, and acne during certain times of the month. There’s a variety of factors that play into the health of your skin; for some, genetic predisposition lends them to breakouts, while there’s continued speculation around birth control causing acne. One thing that’s important to consider is the effect of your diet on your face. Whether you are looking to improve your skin to retrieve that healthy youthful glow or you seek to protect your already beautiful skin, a lot of the answers you may seek will be found in the foods you eat. If you do not already have a preexisting condition, like an inability to absorb Vitamin A, you will find many of these adjustments to be simple to add to your routine. However, for small changes, here are some foods that may actually contribute to healthier, radiant skin.

Water

Water is essential to life. Not only does it keep you alive, but it keeps your skin looking young, too! Water replenishes your body of moisture, flushes out toxins, and provides much-needed hydration to your skin. In addition to water, try using a moisturizer that locks in hydration. Many night creams have this ability, and the thicker, the better for those with excessively dry skin.



Green Tea

Green tea is high in antioxidants and can make redness disappear. It is known to fight inflammation by boosting blood flow and oxygen to the skin, which brings nutrition to the skin faster. Green tea reduces the risk of sun damage as well. If you like to sweeten your tea, try using honey as a replacement for sugar; honey is known to ease digestion, soothe a sore throat, and help with your complexion as well.



Chocolate

You will hear a lot of conflicting opinions as to whether chocolate is helpful or harmful to skin. The problem, usually, is the high sugar content of chocolate, which can be an inflammatory to skin. The cocoa flavanols present in chocolate are antioxidants, which improves circulation. If you would rather eat chocolate than take a supplement or consume powdered drink, it is best that you eat only dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains less sugar and dairy and having about a one-ounce portion can be enough to help improve skin. Olive Oil Olive oil contains natural fats, and natural fatty acids are essential to a healthy body. Monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants found in olive oil has been found to help preserve and protect skin from age.


Fish

Fish icarry Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to keeping your body from becoming inflamed. People take Omega-3 supplements for a variety of reasons. They are known as a “good fat” and can help prevent or combat heart disease, depression, dementia and arthritis. One way to think about fat is that it is a natural lubricant for your body—like getting your oil changed. High Omega-3 fish include salmon, tuna, anchovies, and mackerel. If you do not like the idea of ingesting icky fish oil and you do not have a taste for fish, you can take Omega-3 pills as well. They’ll help calm the inflammation related to acne blemishes and improve your health from the inside out.



Nuts

Nuts are not just a great source of protein. If you are a vegetarian or want an alternative to fish, know that various nuts contain Omega-3s as well. Walnuts are especially high in Omega-3, as are pecans if you want a lower amount of carbohydrates.




Grass-fed Beef

A common problem many starting vegetarians encounter is extreme acne. Vegetarians who do not know how replace their protein with an adequate alternative will likely suffer from this severe condition. Grass-fed beef is very high in protein—at a whopping 30 grams of protein per 3.5 ounce serving—and is essential to keep skin firm. Protein is essential for building collagen and elastin tissue, which will help prevent skin from being wrinkled. Be wary, however, because not all beef will do. Grass-fed beef is likely to come from a cow who did not ingest a lot of artificial hormone, which can actually further damage the skin, so it’s a much better choice.


Peppers

Good news for those of you who like spice in your life—that spice is actually good for your skin! If you suffer from psoriasis or have a child who does, capsaicin creams can help reduce the pain. All peppers, including bell peppers (which do not produce capsaicin and therefore do not cause that burning sensation) have been known to fight wrinkles due to the antioxidant properties that help combat free radicals. Keeping your skin clear and healthy might mean making a change in your diet. Consider incorporating these treats into your meals and see the difference it can make.

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