Beauty creams make big promises, yet there’s even stronger evidence out there that certain foods can improve your skin. When you nourish from the inside out, you get a clear complexion that not even the best BB cream can provide. Check out this list of 15 delicious foods to incorporate into your diet for a glowing complexion.
1. Dark Chocolate: We’re thrilled to learn that we don’t have to feel guilty about eating dark chocolate. Higher levels of cocoa flavonoids can help to soften and hydrate skin. (via Fit Day)
2. Yogurt: Yogurt is rich in biotins, which nourish the skin and reinforce your fingernails. It’s also rich in protein that would aid the digestion of fat, hence a trimmer body for you! (via Style Craze)
3. Melons: Watermelons, honeydew and mangoes are everyone’s favorite fruits especially in the hot weather. Melons and mangoes contain carotenoids that will improve the quality of your skin, diminish pimples and acne, reduce skin dryness, enhance the skin’s elasticity and tone and slow down the aging of the skin. (via Brit + Co)
4. Salmon and Tuna: Salmon is good for the heart due to its high contents of Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are great for the skin too; they reduce redness, inflammation and acne, prevent scaly skin and act as moisturizers by releasing natural oils. (via Cosmopolitan)
5. Leafy Greens Vegetables: Leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect your skin cells and stimulate their growth, which is what will make your skin wrinkle- and damage-free. As an added bonus, antioxidants protect your skin from the sun by shielding your cells from the damaging effects of the rays. (via Brit + Co)
6. Grapefruit: Grapefruit are rich in lycopene, another powerful antioxidant that is effective in protecting your cells and fighting the free radicals that come from the sun’s UV rays and pollutants. (via Style Craze)
7. Lots of Water: If you stay hydrated, wrinkles are less likely to form as your skin is plumped up and moisturized. If you struggle with drinking water, try some fruit and herb-infused H2O to get some extra flavor. (via Brit + Co)
8. Hemp And Flax Seeds: These tiny seeds are a powerhouse of essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3, and are filled with protein, making them one of the top superfoods for glowing skin! Eat them as a snack or sprinkle them on salads or sandwiches to help protect against wrinkles and sun damage. (via All Women Stalk)
9. Papaya: Not only is it delicious, papaya is also a great food to eat for overall health. It’s packed with fiber, folates and antioxidants and loaded with vitamins. Chop some up and add it to your granola or yogurt for a healthy breakfast. (via All Women Stalk)
10. Sweet Potato: The humble sweet potato is packed with antioxidants which replenish your skin’s natural supply, fighting off free radicals that damage cells and can cause premature aging. Try throwing this veggie into a variety of recipes, like tacos and salads. (via Poor Girl Eats Well)
11. Berries: Deeply colored berries such as blueberries and cherries are loaded with antioxidants, which help your body fight off blemishes. (via Fitness Magazine)
12. Green Tea: Green tea fights acne due to its ability to lower levels of an acne-producing hormone. This power drink is also packed with antioxidants, which will help your skin look younger and healthier overall. (via Best Health Mag)
13. Carrots: Carrots contain vitamin C which aids collagen production in the body; collagen is a type of protein that helps prevent wrinkles and slows down the aging process. Meanwhile, the included vitamin A attacks free radicals to prevent wrinkles, pigmentation and an uneven skin tone. (via Style Craze)
14. Avocados: Whether you eat it or apply it, avocados are a powerful fruit that do wonders for your skin. Avocado oil penetrates deep into your skin, leaving it well-cleansed, nourished and baby-soft. Their antioxidants help eliminate wrinkles giving your skin a youthful glow. (via Brit + Co)
15. Cucumbers: Cucumbers contain a ton of the daily required vitamins and minerals your body needs + these edible powerhouses will help trim your waistline, nourish your internal health and brighten your complexion. (via Beautylish)
What foods do you eat to get your face glowing? Let us know in the comments below!