Beauty Foods for Happy Skin
“You are what you eat.”
You’ve heard it before. The phrase seems so overused that it’s easy to brush it off as nothing more than a cliché, but it’s unbelievably true.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve given into the constant temptation to snack while staying at home, and more often than not, I’ve chosen to eat a Reese’s cup or two over an apple. To be fair, it was easier to justify slacking on certain aspects of self care when the weather was cooler and we were shut inside. Now that the weather is improving, however, and we have more opportunity to get outside and see others in passing, we become a bit more conscious of how we look.
Now, I’m not here to say that appearances are everything, but it’s inarguable that we feel better about ourselves when we believe that we are at our best. This said, I think most would agree that glowing skin is within the best-self criteria, so I’m going to be listing off the best foods for healthy, happy skin. They’re all dermatologist-approved and, more importantly, snack-approved, so next time you get the quarantine munchies, think about going for one of these instead.
Watermelon
There’s nothing better than a fresh slice of watermelon on a summer day… especially when that watermelon doubles as skincare. Watermelons are low in sugar in comparison to other fruits, which diminishes the counteractive effect to collagen that leads to wrinkle formation, and it has been cited that watermelon juice can actually decrease puffiness around your eyes. If you're feeling adventurous and own a popsicle mold, try this fresh, healthy strawberry watermelon popsicle recipe. (Strawberries are a great source of Vitamin C - another key to healthy skin!)
Green Tea
It has been claimed that green tea can help treat blemishes and scars, improve skin hydration and flush toxins from the body. Try drinking a glass of unsweetened green tea (hot or iced) at least 2 times per week. If you struggle with dark under-eye circles, the vitamin K in green tea can help. Save your used green tea bags in the fridge, and use them as a natural 15 min under-eye treatment!
Carrots
Carrots contain high levels of beta-carotene, which mimics the active ingredients in Retin-A, a popular blemish-fighting vitamin A derivative. Studies have also shown that these elements can prevent oily skin. Next time you feel like grabbing the bag of chips in the pantry, go for some baby carrots and hummus instead. (I love the roasted red pepper hummus at Trader Joe’s!)
Broccoli
Broccoli is a controversial vegetable, but it’s also kind of a miracle vegetable as far as skin health is concerned. It contains vitamins A, C and K, some of the most beneficial vitamins for a glowing complexion. If you hate the taste of raw broccoli, try roasting it with a bit of olive oil and sriracha sea salt. Just pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 30 minutes or in the air fryer at 390°F for 9 minutes!
Dark Chocolate
Yep. We can still hang onto our chocolate. Dark chocolate does great things for skin firming, and it contains potent antioxidants. Be sure to only buy the stuff with more than 70% cacao though, as anything less will contain a level of sugar that can be extremely damaging to your skin.
Try this recipe for homemade peanut butter cups. (This one is a personal favorite.) I like to make them with a mix of peanut butter and raw almond butter, as almonds contain high levels of vitamin E, an anti-aging champion.
While these are among the more “snackable” foods that promote skin health, there are many other foods that can be incorporated into your diet as a whole for optimal results. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grain breads and pastas, opt for low-fat dairy products, and include nuts, seeds and beans within your favorite meals. It’s not easy, but limiting desserts and sugary snacks can truly be a game-changer.
