They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But if the kind of doctor you want to visit less frequently is the dermatologist, you’re going to need more than just apples. Believe it or not, the kinds of food you eat actually show up on your skin, most especially your face.
Fortunately, there are a couple of foods you can incorporate into your diet to undo the damage your skin may have suffered from eating unhealthy food or lounging under the hot sun without any sunscreen on.
So whether it’s to boost collagen in your system, or to get rid of wrinkles, or to just give your complexion a brighter, healthier glow, here are some foods you can add to your next grocery list:
- Tomatoes
In a research study conducted by the British Journal of Dermatology, participants who incorporated about four tablespoons of tomato paste in their daily diets gained more protection from the harmful effects of the sun on one’s skin than those who were subjected to placebo.
Aside from this, tomatoes are brimming with lycopene, an amazing antioxidant that protects people from sun damage.
- Salmon
Aside from being absolutely mouthwatering, salmon is a good natural alternative to Vitamin E supplements, which work wonders on the skin. Salmon carries with it a ton of antioxidants in the form of omega-3 fatty acids that tone down inflammation, keep moisture in and toxins out. Having a good level of healthy fat on your body allows you to retain more collagen and elastin — two compounds that are key to keeping your skin looking young.
- Green Juice
Having more supple, youthful skin is just one of the many benefits of drinking green juice. Green juice packs Vitamins C, E, A, all of which work like a charm as part of your skincare routine. Vitamin A is a key component in the growth and regeneration of cells, while Vitamins C and E contain antioxidants that help keep acne and other blemishes at bay.
The best part is that green juice also helps you with other health goals, such as losing weight and improving your immune system.
- Coconut Oil
Coconut is one of the most powerful foods you can incorporate into your diet, so better make the most of this wonder nut and its many health wonders. Dermatologists love coconut oil because it doesn’t only act as a natural moisturizer for the skin, but also enhances the quality of one’s hair. Whether ingested or physically applied, coconut oil will lessen the trips you need to make to the derma’s office.
- Sunflower Oil
Another oil you might want to use more in your cooking is sunflower oil, which contains a lot of linoleic acid. This means sunflower oil has protective qualities that benefit the membranes of your skin cells. It also limits inflammation in your cells, delaying the observable effects of aging on your skin and complexion.
- Walnuts
Just like salmon, walnuts contain a substantial amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which make it a wonderful producer of collagen, which in turn helps your skin gain elasticity, which holds off sagging and renders your skin plump and supple.
- Berries
If you ever need more reasons to eat delicious and vibrant berries, you should know that the amount of antioxidants in fruits like raspberries, cherries, and blueberries is simply off the charts.
- Greek Yogurt
There are simply one too many ways yogurt can improve one’s skin and overall health. The good bacteria it contains are amazing for the gut and the entire digestive system, but yogurt is also really good to rejuvenate the skin and keep it looking bright and young. This is achieved either by eating yogurt or applying it on the skin as a face mask or an exfoliant.
Here’s the kicker: all the foods listed in this article are not only good for the skin — but are beneficial for your overall health, too. After all, your skin is but an external manifestation of how healthy (or unhealthy) you are on the inside.
Read Also: Nuriva Serum Review