What to Eat for Perfect, Glowing Skin
When you feel good, you look good, and the first thing that lets people know you’re healthy and thriving is your skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so it stands to reason that how we take care of ourselves is reflected in how it looks. That’s one of the reasons why the skincare industry has absolutely exploded in the last decade or so, with Statista estimating the global skincare market to reach almost $190 billion by 2025. Click HERE
You can’t talk health and beauty without talking skincare— it’s pretty much the perfect link between the two. Each person’s skincare journey is unique. As you’ll see in our previous article ‘Hello Skincare!’, everyone has their own preferences for products. However, there’s one part of skincare that’s pretty much universal for everyone, but doesn’t get quite as much airtime as the latest cream or serum. That part is nutrition.
Taking care of your skin starts from taking care of your body and diet. Here are a few things you can eat or drink to ensure you’re keeping your skin healthy, glowing, and fresh.
Omega-3 fatty acids, usually found in fatty fish like salmon, anchovies, and mackerel, have a host of different benefits for the skin. For one, they can help protect against sun damage, which is often the number one culprit for wrinkles and aging. Research has also found that they can help reduce acne, lower the risk of skin cancer, and even moisturize the skin, alleviating the symptoms of skin disorders like psoriasis.
You can get omega-3 fatty acids from nuts and fatty fish, and from fish oil capsules like Nordic Naturals Omega Woman, which is specially blended for healthy skin.
Collagen has become a pretty hot topic in the skincare world, and it can be hard to separate the fact from fiction. People have praised the effects of collagen on the skin, leading to a booming industry that includes collagen creams, powders, and even injectables. While collagen might not be the Fountain of Youth everyone says it is, it can certainly help.
Including more collagen in your diet can actually help you improve joint flexibility and skin elasticity. Less collagen means drier skin, increasing the chances of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Collagen can be found in most protein sources like fish, chicken, and egg whites, but if you want a more concentrated dose you can turn to supplements for a little more help. Brightcore has a multi-collagen supplement made from organic sources that can boost hair, gut, and skin health, and mixes easily with juice, soups, and other liquids.
Another thing you should definitely have more of in your diet is food rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants play a huge role in reducing damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals, which are the main causes for skin aging. They can also lessen the damage caused by pollution and stress, which is especially important for women who are always on the go.
Examples of antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E. Foods rich in these vitamins have a higher chance of helping you fight against skin dryness and aging. If you need a quick and easy guide, Byrdie lists a few antioxidant-rich foods, including the superfood wild blueberries, avocados, turmeric, dark leafy greens, and even sweet potatoes. Whole foods and a balanced diet are a great source of antioxidants in general, but you can also boost your antioxidant levels with supplements.
