Foods For Healthier, Younger Skin

#1

Foods are the building blocks that our bodies use to grow, develop, and repair. Healthy, plant-based foods provide the energy and nutrients to do so. If we aren’t eating well, we’re starving our cells or at the very least not giving them the proper tools they need to function at their best. Here are a few of the top foods to keep you looking young and your skin at its finest.

#2 Blueberries

These little berries are packed full of nutrients! They’re rick in fiber, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. They also contain plenty of antioxidants that boost your immune system and help keep your skin in tip-top shape.

#3 Watermelon

Watermelon contains over 90% water content. Not only is it the perfect sweet treat, it also helps hydrate your skin from the inside out, to give your skin a youthful glow.

#4 Pineapple

Pineapples are the only fruit known to contain an enzyme known as bromelain. Bromelain has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Adding pineapple to your diet can help reduce skin swelling and redness.

#5 Papaya

Papaya is a tropical fruit loaded with Vitamin A. It also contains an enzyme known as papain. Papain helps break down inactive proteins to get rid of dead skin cells and revitalize your skin.

#6 Tomatoes

Lycopene, the compound that gives tomatoes their rich color, is a powerful antioxidant that eliminates skin-aging free radicals from ultraviolet exposure. Fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids also color our skin with a healthful glow.

#7 Cherries

Cherries contain the highest amount of antioxidants when it comes to fruit. The powerful compounds in cherries help fight free radicals in the body to slow down the aging process and help prevent wrinkles!

#8 Sweet Potatoes

These orange tubers are packed with carotenoids and vitamin C which boost collagen production. Collagen controls the strength, firmness, and flexibility of the skin.

#9 Spinach

Spinach is rich in folate, a B vitamin that aids in the repair of DNA and may reduce the risk of skin cancer. Greens like spinach, kale, turnip greens, dandelion leaves, broccoli, and asparagus all are rich in vitamin A, iron, and vitamin K. Iron aids circulation by carrying vital oxygen while vitamin K may help prevent varicose veins.

#10 Strawberries

These are another vitamin C rich fruit that may also lower the risks of skin cancer.

#11 Red bell peppers

These brightly colored veggies are a treat for your skin. A half-cup of chopped red pepper will give you more than 100% of your dietary reference intake of wrinkle-fighting vitamin C. Researchers in the United Kingdom looked at vitamin C intake in 4,025 women and found that those who ate more vitamin C had less wrinkling and dryness.

#12 Avocado

Get plenty of moisturizing vitamin E in this creamy fruit. Not only does vitamin E ease dry skin, but studies also show it may reduce free radicals and protect against damaging UV rays. It’s the perfect excuse to have chips and guacamole!

#13 Onions

Onions aren’t just for adding flavor to food—they’re also rich in quercetin, an antioxidant that protects against wrinkles. Studies show that it may save skin from harmful UVB rays, so sneak these veggies into soups, main dish meals and onto pizzas.

#14 Pomegranate

Packed with vitamin C, this tart fruit contains more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. It will keep your skin looking bright and wrinkle-free and may even reduce your risk of skin cancer.

#15 Oranges

These are loaded with water, so they hydrate your skin and your cells, Zied says. One large orange is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps make collagen -- and that, in turn, helps keep your skin supple.

In general, vegetables and fruits are great for your skin. Go for lots of colors so you get a variety of nutrients.

#16 Grapes

Resveratrol, which comes from the skin of grapes, counters inflammation, Jaliman says. "Many people think it slows the aging process, plus it may fight the effects of UV light and sun damage. But you still need to use your sunscreen."

#17 Cantaloupe

The sweet melon contains beta carotene, or vitamin A, which is believed to regulate the growth of skin cells on your scalp and sebum in the skin's outer layer, Dr. Zeichner says. This keeps pores from getting clogged and causing flakes.

#18 carrots

Think of carrots as your very own wonder wands—good for the eyes and good for clearing up breakouts. No magic here, though, just plenty of beta-carotene and vitamin A, an antioxidant which prevents overproduction of cells in the skin's outer layer. That means fewer flaky dead cells that otherwise could combine with sebum to clog your pores. Plus, vitamin A plays an essential role in reducing the development of skin-cancer cells. It's a win-win.

#19 Eggs

Here's another reason you should eat the whole egg. The yolk is rich in vitamins that are essential for proper cell function, as well as contain the "beauty vitamin," biotin. This B vitamin is more commonly known to help hair grow and strengthen fingernails, but research has shown it also helps protect skin from acne, rashes, and even dryness.

#20 Salmon

Besides being one of the most potent sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3s, salmon also contains dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). DMAE promotes healthy skin because it protects the integrity of cell membranes. Strengthening cell membranes guards against their deterioration that causes premature aging. This nutrient also helps to prevent the production of arachidonic acid (AA), an inflammation precursor that leads to wrinkle formation. And that's not all. DMAE works in conjunction with B vitamins to increases levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for proper muscle functioning that can keep your face looking toned and firm.

#21 Kale

You may have thought it was just a trend, but kale has proven that it earned its spot as a superfood. This cruciferous veggie is loaded with the skin's favorite anti-aging vitamins A, C, E, and, uniquely, vitamin K. Leafy greens are one of the most potent sources of vitamin K, a vitamin which helps with blood clotting and faster healing when ingested. And when applied topically, it can minimize the visibility of bruises, scars, stretch marks, and spider veins.

#22 Almonds

Almonds are full of one of the most oft-associated vitamins with skin care, vitamin E. That's because this vitamin helps repair scarred cells and defends against sun damage. Volunteers who consumed 14 milligrams of the vitamin per day (about 20 almonds) and then were exposed to UV light burned less than those who took none. And because vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant, it also works to keep your body free of dangerous free radicals. Almonds are also one of the best sources of dairy-free calcium!