Lifestyle habits (like smoking and tanning), and genetics can certainly influence and predispose your skin to pesky conditions, but that doesn’t mean the quest for a glowing complexion and better skin is a lost cause. And while there are plenty of cosmetics that dub themselves “skin food,” the truth is that the key to maintaining a healthy complexion doesn’t come from a bottle. While it’s true these cleansers and lotions offer a topical fix — a beauty band-aid, if you will — gorgeous, hydrated skin starts from within. And that all depends on whether the best foods for glowing skin are on your plate.
Healthy skin comes from within. Using skincare products can tackle surface-level problems, but eating a well-balanced diet not only helps give your skin health a boost, it also keeps you healthy at the same time.
To have healthy, glowing skin, you need to consume a wide variety of nutritious foods and reduce your intake of unhealthy foods such as processed, oily and deep-fried foods.
When it comes to your skin, there’s one thing we know for sure: What you eat can have a direct impact on how you look. If you’re not specifically chowing down on superfoods for glowing skin and instead are constantly noshing on processed foods or those high in sugar and fat and devoid of fiber, it can show up in the form of dull skin, perhaps along with other issues like acne, dryness, oiliness, or dark under-eye circles.
Chia seeds: A top-notch smoothie ingredient, sprinkling these little guys into your morning meal means you’re netting one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. “Omega-3 fatty acids help provide building blocks for healthy skin cell function and new collagen production to keep the skin foundation strong and wrinkle free.
Ginger: Ginger is best known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are found in the root of the spice, says Simpson. Not to mention studies show ginger can have a soothing effect on skin, so don’t be surprised when you see it on facial menus, too.
Oatmeal: Swap sugary cereal (sorry, Lucky Charms) for a bowl of plain oats in the a.m. and your skin will thank you. This food is low on the glycemic index, a scale that rates foods containing carbohydrates according to how much each food increases blood sugar (high-glycemic foods cause a fast, drastic spike and subsequent crash, whereas low-glycemic options provide a slow, steady increase and decline). Foods with a low glycemic index [are better] because starchy foods [that are high-glycemic] increase blood sugar, promote inflammation, and have been shown to be associated with acne breakouts.
Tomatoes: The salad fave is one of the best sources of lycopene, an anti-aging antioxidant that may also help prevent heart disease. But some research suggests that lycopene is more easily absorbed by your body when it’s cooked, so go nuts on those comforting stews and soups this season.
