No matter how many miracle products you slather on your face, if your diet isn’t up to standard, your skin just won’t be bringing its A-game. To get that glow, you need to be supplying your body with beauty-boosting vitamins and minerals, and the right nutrients to strengthen your gut. These foods will give you a healthier-looking complexion and even help you target skin concerns like acne or uneven skin tone. We’re not saying these are a cure-all, but nothing gives your skin a healthy glow like a good diet. Plus, they’re all ingredients that are easy to get your hands on: you might already have them in your fridge. If you don’t have these beautifying foods, get them on your grocery list ASAP! Girl got to get that glow! After all your skin is a reflection of what is going on inside, so its time to focus on that beauty from the inside out!
1. Celery
Celery juice is THE juice all beauty junkies are slurping on right now to detox and cleanse their gut. If you’re wondering why gut health is so important, well, it majorly impacts your skin as it’ll allow your body to remove skin-aggravating toxins, while supplying skin-saving nutrients. Celery has also been shown to decrease inflammation, lower blood pressure, and rebalance pH levels in the skin, which is essential for even skin tone.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that’ll help fight damaging free radicals. In case you’re wondering, what are free radicals? Well, they’re basically the enemy – they breakdown skin cells to reduce elasticity in the skin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles. Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG that helps fight DNA damage caused by UV rays. It can help treat acne too, as it’s antibacterial, so it’ll reduce acne bacteria in the skin.
3. Avocado
A grocery list without avocado is like a millennial sin, but all jokes aside, avocados are a total game changer! They’re full of fatty acids and proteins that strengthen and rebuild the skin’s outer layer so that it can retain moisture more easily, keeping your skin as hydrated as possible. Plus, as they boost skin renewal, they can help improve acne scars.
4. Medjool dates
Medjool dates are amazing for acne-prone skin as they can reduce redness and soothe inflammation. Dates are also a rich source of copper, which helps your body absorb iron and encourage collagen production, leaving you with younger-looking skin. They’re also super high in fibre so they’ll kickstart your metabolism and help you debloat. Although, don’t overload on dates, as they’re high in sugar so limit yourself to two dates a day!
5. Lemon
Lemons are great; by drinking a cup of hot water and lemon each morning, you’ll help cleanse your digestive system so that your liver can eliminate waste more efficiently. Lemons have also been proven to boost lymphatic drainage (the process of removing toxins from the body), so if you’re prone to swelling… umm hello, under-eyes… You need to add some lemon into your diet stat! All we’re saying is, if every model and wellness blogger starts their day with water and lemon, we’re going to do the same.
6. Chia seeds
Chia seeds may be teeny tiny, but they’re jam-packed with goodies. They’re a rich source of omega-3, which means they’re great at reducing inflammation and dryness. They’ll also help boost blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to your skin, which will begin to address uneven skin tone. You can sprinkle them on your salads or make a delicious breakfast with them! I love to make a chia seed pudding. Combine 1/3 cup of chia seeds with 1 cup of coconut milk, and 1tbsp honey. I also load it up with frozen mixed Berries. Leave it in the fridge for a few hours and enjoy. You can add your fav fruits on top.
7. Salmon
Did you know Victoria Beckham eats salmon EVERY SINGLE DAY, purely for the beauty benefits? Here’s why: salmon’s an amazing source of omega-3, which is proven to lower inflammation and keep skin supple and moisturized. It also contains zinc, which can promote healing in the skin and lessen the appearance of acne scars.
8. Ginger
If you need assistance combatting breakouts, you need to add ginger into your diet, as ginger has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used as a natural remedy to treat skin concerns like acne and hyperpigmentation for years, as it’s packed with antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radicals that cause premature aging.
9. Bone Broth
Bone broth has been proven to increase levels of elasticity in the skin as it’s a rich source of collagen, which helps to improve the overall texture of the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s one of the few foods that stimulate collagen production so if you’re looking for younger, brighter-looking skin, bone broth is a must.
10. Garlic
Garlic is a potent antibacterial as it’s full of allicin; a chemical that reacts with the blood, creating a compound that can kill acne bacteria in the skin. Although, bear in mind that garlic is most potent when it’s raw – we like to add crushed garlic into our salad dressing for maximum impact. Who am I kidding I love garlic in most foods!!
11. Dark chocolate or Cacao
Dark chocolate (80% and above) is full of beautifying antioxidants and has incredible health benefits like keeping your cholesterol levels and blood pressure in check. It’s also a major mood booster, and well, less stressed skin = better skin. Cacao (pronounced CUH-cow) is another delicious chocolate alternative; it’s a raw powder, derived from unroasted cocoa beans, and it tastes like dark chocolate. It’ll enhance your complexion as it increases blood flow and hydrates your skin. Plus, it’s great for acne-prone skin as it’s full of fatty acids and raw enzymes that can help boost skin cell renewal, thereby diminishing acne scars, everything in moderation but I definitely love a little dark chocolate after a hard week.
12. Kale
Is there a beauty-enhancing compound kale doesn’t contain? Potassium, manganese, calcium, iron, magnesium, protein, vitamins A, B, C, E, K… It has it all, which means it can help tackle a whole range of skin concerns. The vitamin E content supports skin cell growth and will act as a hydrator, keeping skin soft and nourished while vitamin B will support collagen production for youthful, radiant skin – just to name a few!
13. Dark berries
Not only are berries packed with fibre, which will help curb snacking, but the naturally low sugar content will allow you to resist that 3 pm sugar craving. Berries will, in general, give you a healthier-looking complexion as they’re rich in skin-clearing antioxidants. Snack on berries throughout the day or add them to your breakfast bowl or smoothie.
14. Walnuts
Walnuts are full of healthy fats that’ll strengthen the outer layer of the skin, helping your skin lock in moisture and stay soft and supple. The fat content will also boost skin repair, so if you have any stubborn acne scars, start snacking on walnuts.
Let us know what beautifying food your favourite is.