Eat These 10 Foods to Give Your Skin a Healthy Glow

Many things can stress your skin and cause it to lose its natural shine, from too much time spent in the sun to having an over-reliance on skincare products full of harsh chemicals. Isn’t it nice to know that restoring your skin’s glow can be as easy as merely adding more healthy skin-boosting foods into your diet? Just a few basic ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen could be your perfect solution for your current skin care woes. Because the appearance of your skin is indeed just a reflection of how healthy you are on the inside, it may not come as a surprise that many of these superfoods are just as good for the rest of your body as they are for your skin.

For the best results, you will want to avoid any harsh cleansers or chemical-packed moisturizers and find as many opportunities as possible to de-stress in your daily life—the whole point of this exercise is to detoxify and relax your skin. This will help to restore its natural beauty. All you have to do is eat these foods every day for at least a week, and you will almost certainly notice the benefits when you look in the mirror!

Here are the ten superfoods you need to focus on during your one-week cleanse to get the most glow out of your skin:

Lemon: If you’re a fan of lemonade or lemon chicken, rejoice! Lemons have a fantastic range of skin care benefits, including the ability to clarify and brighten your skin’s natural tone. Also, because lemons are naturally antibacterial, they can help treat acne as well.

Avocados: Avocados, and especially avocado oil, are full of vitamins A, D and E as well as omega-3 fatty acids—all of which are essential for healthy looking skin. These nutrients moisturize and nourish the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, which can help to restore a more youthful glow.

Salmon: Salmon is a true super-food full of the same omega-3 fatty acids that avocados have, plus B vitamins that support healthy collagen production, which makes skin more youthful and elastic. Be sure to keep the skin on when you grill or bake, however, since that’s where the highest concentration of nutrients lies.

Blueberries: Blueberries go great with almost all breakfast foods, and they’re also fantastic for restoring your skin’s healthy glow. Each berry is a fiber-packed powerhouse of antioxidants and vitamins, all of which have some amazing benefits for not just your skin, but your entire body as well.

Romaine Lettuce: Leafy and robust romaine lettuce delivers quite a punch when it comes to antioxidants and vitamins, so be sure to add plenty to your salads. Your skin will thank you, and it goes well with just about any salad additions you might want to add.

Pumpkin: A fall favorite, pumpkins are full of the same fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that are likely in some of the skin care products you’re already using. These help to increase cell turnover, which brightens the skin and gives it a smoother appearance. Just watch out for the sugar that is found in most pumpkin-based baked goods and other autumnal treats.

Pomegranate Seeds: There’s no shortage of nutrients in pomegranates, and in particular their seeds. Just like many of the other foods on this list, pomegranates are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which help to reduce the effects of aging on your skin.

Red Bell Pepper: Not a big fan of spicy foods? Never fear. Red bell peppers are pleasantly mild members of the pepper family and are simply more ripe versions of the green bell peppers that are also common on supermarket shelves. What you may not have known is that these peppers are full vitamins E and K, as well as folate and potassium. Eat these with the skin on to reduce inflammation and to restore your skin’s youthful appearance.

Aloe Vera Juice: The Western world can thank the ancient Ayurvedic practices from India for the discovery of aloe vera juice as a wonder tonic for the skin. The juice is not only a refreshing beverage but is also brimming with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that all help skin to looks its best, all while flushing out the toxins that result in blotchy or tired looking skin.

Kiwi Fruit Skin: Now, we admit this last may be an odd addition for many folks but bear with us. Most people aren’t aware that the skin on kiwi fruit is edible, and even fewer know about its skincare benefits. Kiwi fruit skin is an excellent source of fiber, folate, and vitamin E, and can help with maintaining healthy skin cell growth and division, which may reduce to the appearance of wrinkles or roughness. So, go ahead and leave the fuzzy skin on your kiwi fruit the next time you crave this tart treat, and your skin will shine like never before!

Be sure to eat these foods daily for a week for maximum benefits. There are all kinds of creative ways you can incorporate superfoods like these into your diet, ranging from veggie smoothies to colorful salads and much more. Feel free to experiment to see what works best for you. While some people enjoy eating many of these foods on their own, this may not be your preference, and that’s just fine. There’s no wrong way to enjoy these healthy skin foods, just as long as you make sure you’re eating them alongside a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise and rest. After only a week, you’re sure to look and feel younger and have noticeably brighter skin that can take years off of your appearance without ever having to rely on harsh chemicals or complicated skin care routines. For continued benefits, you can incorporate as many of these foods as you like, as often as you want in your diet. Not only will your skin look better, you will likely be healthier overall! It’s a simple win-win for both your skin and your body as a whole, not to mention it’s a tasty way to indulge while still taking excellent care of your health.