Want That Healthy Glow? Start Eating These 5 Foods Today

Skincare products aside, that healthy, glowing skin starts from within.

You know what they say – you can’t out-train a bad diet. And while taking care of your skin externally, that is, meticulously following your beauty regimen or treating yourself to regular facials does matter, what you eat also has a huge impact on the way your skin looks and feels.

Don’t get us wrong, lifestyle habits (like smoking and tanning), and genetics can certainly influence the condition of your skin, as well as the products you use topically. However, although many beauty products available today claim to be enough to keep your skin hydrated and nourished, that healthy glowing complexion comes from within. Meaning, the secret to a radiant and healthy-looking complexion lies in a well-balanced diet. So, give your skin a boost by including these foods in your diet:

Avocado

To support the skin barrier, you need to be consuming sufficient amounts of healthy fats from foods like avocado or nuts. Avocados are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and E, which play a significant role in keeping your skin supple and healthy. And as if this wasn’t enough, research has found that avocados contain compounds that help protect your skin from harmful UV rays (bye pesky wrinkles and fine lines!) and reduce inflammation to alleviate acne flare-ups or breakouts.

Blueberries

There are SO many reasons to love these tiny but mighty berries. Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, blueberries work wonders for your health, and make a delicious and versatile snack or addition to your oatmeal. Blueberries are high in antioxidants and vitamins like A, C & E, which are essential to keeping your skin healthy and glowing. Blueberries protect your skin from free radicals and slow down signs of premature aging like wrinkles and fine lines, and help your body produce more collagen, leaving your skin plump and firm.

Strawberries

The high concentrations of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and folic acid make strawberries one of the most delicious and nourishing foods on Earth. Strawberries are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps in eliminating harmful toxins in our bodies, while the folic acid supports the cell regeneration, as well as the production of new cells, which can help keep breakouts at bay.

Green Tea

You may have noticed that green tea extract is a very popular skincare ingredient, and that’s due to the herb’s strong anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce skin irritation, swelling, and redness. Green tea is packed with vitamin B2, which plays a big role in the production of collagen for youthful skin structure and firmness, and vitamin E, which aids new skin cell growth and can work wonders for hydrating dry or imbalanced skin.

Dark Chocolate

Want a smooth complexion and extra sun protection (aside from your SPF)? Dark chocolate is your best friend! Filled with antioxidants known as flavanols, dark chocolate has been found to reduce the roughness of your skin and provide protection from UV rays. Dark chocolate is also known to reduce the appearance of dark spots or pigmentation to keep your skin healthy and glowing, while high minerals content like copper, iron, and zinc protect the skin from oxidative stress, which can lead to premature skin aging.