When it comes to taking care of your skin, the foods you put in your body are equally as important as the products you put on your skin. What we eat can have a major impact on our skin in terms of radiance, preventing acne, and keeping skin looking young. If you want to give your skin a gorgeous glow from the inside out, take a look at this list of six foods that are actually great for your skin. Then, head out to the grocery store and start stocking up!
Grass-Fed Beef
The reality is, our bodies need protein and our skin craves it, too. While there are many ways to consume protein, one great way is through eating grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef actually contains a higher ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids and even has more protein than other beefs. Protein is essential for our skin because it’s a necessity for building collagen and elastin, which keep your skin firm and smooth.
Kale
As if you needed another reason to eat your greens, right? Kale is a great option if you’re looking for foods that will give your skin a major boost because it’s rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. These two vitamins can actually help firm your skin, which ensures your face is looking youthful. Try adding some kale to your diet by creating a mixed green salad or cooking up some delicious kale chips for a snack.
Tomatoes
Not only are tomatoes tasty, but it turns out that eating them regularly can do wonders for your skin. As many of you already know, tomatoes contain an ingredient called lycopene. Lycopene is actually an antioxidant (and you know antioxidants are great for skin health). The good thing about lycopene is that it can actually improve your skin’s natural SPF. Pretty cool, right? However, it doesn’t mean that eating loads of tomatoes means you can skip the SPF the next time you head outdoors. While tomatoes will assist with protecting your skin from the sun, you still need to apply sunscreen daily.
Almond Milk
If you’re someone who frequently struggles with acne, you may want to consider how much dairy you’re consuming. Dairy products can actually cause inflammation in the skin and trigger acne flare-ups. If you find that you’re acne-prone, try skipping the dairy in favor of almond milk. You can substitute dairy milk with almond milk in your morning cereal (a non-sugary cereal, of course) or even in a smoothie. Almond milk also contains more calcium than many dairy milks and even has vitamin E, which is an added bonus.
Dark Chocolate
Good news for you chocolate fans! If you’re guilty of having a major sweet tooth, you don’t have to give up chocolate to keep your skin looking great. Instead of reaching for a milk chocolate bar, go for dark chocolate instead. You’ve probably heard that dark chocolate is the better option for you, but did you know why? Dark chocolate is loaded with cocoa flavanols, which are plant compounds that contain antioxidants. These antioxidants can help hydrate your skin and improve circulation. Eating chocolate has never tasted so good!
Pumpkin
For those of you who go crazy for all things pumpkin during the fall (myself included), you’re in luck! Pumpkin provides great benefits for your skin. Cooked pumpkin is a great source of beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for the growth of skin cells, which can help keep your skin looking soft, smooth, and supple. It’s also a key ingredient in many anti-aging skincare products because it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
