You can buy all of the $80 face serums in the world, but if your diet is trash, it’ll definitely show on your face. We already know that increasing water intake and cutting out dairy and sugar will improve our skin. But there are also foods you can add to your diet to eat your way to a better complexion. If you’re sad about having to cut the milk out of your daily latte in the name of clear skin, try these five foods for better skin in addition to your skincare routine.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries are like a superfood for your face. They’re a major source of antioxidants, which can prevent sebum from oxidizing, aka preventing blocked pores and acne. Additionally, the fruit is packed with Vitamin C which is key to producing collagen which helps to provide a clear, smooth, wrinkle-free complexion. Tom Brady doesn’t know what he’s missing.
2. Salmon
Adding wild salmon to your diet helps keep your skin supple and moisturized since salmon is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, swapping out other meats for salmon means you’re increasing your vitamin D intake which helps to strengthen your skin, teeth, and bones.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli (the kind your mom tried to shove down your throat as a kid, not Lil Yachty’s kind) is actually one of the major foods for better skin. Not only is the veggie good for your health, but it contains a substance called glucoraphanin that gets converted into sulforaphane inside the body. Sulforaphane aids in skin repair and renewal, leaving you with a natural glow. The little trees are packed with Vitamins A and C which, like strawberries, contribute to collagen production to prevent wrinkles.
4. Walnuts
IMO, walnuts are like the unsung hero of nuts. They’re a source of “good” or nourishing fats that attract moisture from the air to soothe dry skin, reduce skin inflammation, and can help to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. You still need sunscreen though, just so we’re clear.
5. Kale
If you’re one of those people that pays like, $9 for a kale smoothie just to look like you’re doing the whole health thing right, then you’re already on to something (and you probably don’t have dark circles under your eyes, either). Kale is loaded with Vitamins A, C and K, plus iron and antioxidants. They help reduce the dark circles under your eyes, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce swelling and detoxify your skin. Basically, eating a shit ton of kale targets just about any skin issue.
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We may as well prepare for the ravages of time incoming colder weather and all the problems it causes—specifically, dry skin, zits, and general dullness. Winter is coming, and nothing can save you from its shittiness. However, you can (kind of) do battle with the shittiest of skin seasons if you’re putting the right stuff in and around your mouth. It sorta sucks, cause winter is totes my season to shout “YOLO” while I inhale mac and cheese, all the carbs, and different forms of alcohol so as to build a fine layer of fat to protect myself from January ice storms and the onslaught of feelings, but life isn’t fair and beauty is pain. But there is a silver lining, which is that you can eat certain foods to get better skin. YES, REALLY. Here’s what you need to stock up on during your next grocery store run.
1. Romaine Lettuce
The basic bitch of salad (still better than iceberg lol amirite) deserves more than to be doused in Caesar dressing and left at the bottom of your bowl. Thanks to a lot of vitamin A, Romaine leaves increase cell turnover and give your skin a boost of oxygen, which we all know is pretty important.
2. Strawberries
Any veggie or fruit that has a ton of Vitamin C is going to do wonders for your shitty dry skin. Why? Because it helps build collagen while fighting wrinkles. So load up on strawberries in your morning smoothie if you don’t want to look like the Crypt Keeper later this season.
3. Tomatoes
If you went grocery shopping this summer and were overwhelmed with the selection of heirloom tomato varieties, good news, bitch. You no longer have to choose which tomato is right—they all are, if you want amazing skin. According to Prevention magazine, people who ate more tomato paste (who the fuck EATS tomato paste? like did they squirt it in their mouths? lol ew) had LESS of a chance of getting sunburned and had more collagen in their skin, thus preventing wrinkles.
4. Almonds
Almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds—fuck, just grind them all into a powder and snort daily. Don’t actually do that, but believe us when we see that almonds are full of vitamin E, as are the others we mentioned. That helps to protect your skin from free radicals AND keep your skin hydrated.
5. Hot Cocoa With Dark Chocolate
According to Fitness magazine, cocoa helps hydrate your skin, making it firmer and softer. One study found that women who drank ½ cup of dark chocolate hot cocoa had increased circulation in their skin, resulting in a v healthy glow. So, in a nutshell, you can drink hot cocoa and actually enjoy a benefit other than adding three pounds to your frame. Praise da lort.
6. Green Tea
Thanks to high levels of antioxidants we can’t pronounce, green tea can cut down the redness showing on your skin. So sippin’ on this shit all day can give you a caffeine jolt and help you actually look less tired.
7. Water
I shouldn’t even have to explain why water is good for your skin. Most of your skin membranes are like, made up of water, so the more you drink and the more you’re hydrated, the better you’ll look. This could be the answer to why you look literally dead when you’re hungover. It’s science.
8. Avocado
Literally what CAN’T avocado do? It helps our hangovers, brings world peace, and can apparently help our shitty winter skin issues. Thanks to high levels of vitamin E, avocados regrow and turnover your skin cells faster, resulting in less dullness.
