Nutrition Tips For Better Skin

If you’re looking in the mirror and not loving your skin, what’s the immediate solution you jump to? Skin care products. Yes, the products on your skin have a huge impact on your skin’s health, but they aren’t the only tools you should use to get the glow you want.

Here’s the thing: your skin is an organ of your body, so doing positive things for your health will impact your skin in positive ways. A key part of this is your diet. Just as your body uses the nutrients from your food to operate your heart, your liver, and so on, it uses them to strengthen and empower your skin. If you want healthier, younger, clearer skin, add these nutrition tips to your health regimen.

Indulge in Healthy Fatty Acids

Time to ditch that outdated idea that all fats (and anything with “fat” in its name) are bad for you. In fact, one of the best nutrients you can give your skin is omega-3 fatty acid. These acids are correlated with skin that is thicker, smoother, younger-looking, and more hydrated. They also help your skin to be less vulnerable to sun damage (AKA a major cause of premature aging) and they reduce inflammation in your skin.

Fatty fish are among the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids: think salmon, herring, mackerel, and some tuna like bluefin and albacore. You can also get these nutrients from walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds.

Elevate Your Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a nutrient that we don’t hear about too often, but it’s essential for beautiful skin. Vitamin E is an exceptional antioxidant that helps protect your skin from damage from free radicals, and it minimizes sun damage as well.

Some of the best foods for vitamin E are sunflower seeds and almonds. You’ll also find it in most plant-based oils as well as peanuts, collard greens, spinach, red bell peppers, and pumpkin. For the best results, make sure you’re getting a vitamin E-rich diet while also wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.

Take In More Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the star nutrients when it comes to getting brighter, younger, more vibrant skin. It’s one of the major ingredients your body uses to produce collagen, the protein that’s responsible for making skin smooth, thick, supple, and youthful. Vitamin C is also known for helping your skin stay hydrated in addition to keeping sun damage to a minimum.

In your diet, you can get plenty of vitamin C from citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries, and kiwi to name a few. Want to supercharge your vitamin C? Add a topical vitamin C lotion to brighten and beautify your skin.

Ace Your Vitamin A Intake

The secret to stunning skin lies in your micronutrients, like vitamin C, vitamin E, and yes, vitamin A. Most people think of vitamin A as the nutrient that protects your eyes, but it’s essential for your skin too. It’s a natural antioxidant that helps to shield your skin from sun damage.

Leafy green vegetables are fantastic sources of vitamin A. So are tomatoes, eggs, fish oils, red bell peppers, and cantaloupes. You can also get vitamin A from eating foods that are high in beta carotene. Beta carotene is easily converted into vitamin A in your body, so it does the job as well.

Stock Up on Zinc

Zinc is a true multi-tasker when it comes to your skin. While it’s critical in helping your skin heal wounds, it’s especially helpful in keeping acne and blemishes at bay. For one, Zinc naturally wards off bacteria and inflammation, both of which can be factors in acne. Zinc also helps to regulate and operate your sebaceous glands (the glands that produce your skin’s natural oils).

Zinc is a multi-action tool for minimizing acne and breakouts. To experience the best of what it can do for your skin, pair a zinc-rich diet with a high-quality acne care system.

Choose Dark Chocolate

Where are all my fellow chocoholics? Good news! Chocolate can help you have healthier, more youthful skin.

Dark chocolate, which is higher in cocoa, contains amazing antioxidants that can help to prevent sun damage. Studies have also found a correlation between dark chocolate and more hydrated, thicker skin that is less sensitive to sunburns and has a better blood flow.

Sip on Coffee and Tea

Chocolate isn’t the only addictive substance that can help your skin. Caffeine can, too - well, at least certain drinks that also contain caffeine.

Coffee and green tea in particular are high in polyphenols. Polyphenols are compounds that can help to prevent premature aging from sun damage and prevent hyperpigmentation (age spots and other brown spots).

Want the benefits of polyphenols but not a fan of coffee or green tea? Don’t worry, because you can also find plenty of polyphenols in grapes and chocolate.

Munching Your Way to Better Skin

The next time you have a craving for a snack or you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner, why not work on your skin at the same time? Use the nutrition tips above and the product pairing tips to give your skin the unmistakable glow of great health.