Healthy skin that’s fresh and radiant is achieved through what’s on your plate.
Creams, masks and scrubs are useful, obviously. But at the end of the day, your efforts may not be so effective if you’re eating a Big Mac on every lunch break. Vitamins, antioxidants, trace elements, fatty acids… Food is essential and contributes a key role to any radiant complexion, the same way it’s a cause of the onset of pimples or other skin imperfections. So what should you eat for healthy skin?
The fresh complexion recipe
Fruits and veggies are great sources of vitamins. For nice skin, focus on raw vegetables: peppers, spinach, cabbage, apples, red fruits... Rich in antioxidants, these foods help fight against skin ageing. Carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes and apricots are a source of beta-carotene, a provitamin A that’s beneficial for the skin since it prepares it for sun exposure (but keep in mind that eating a carrot won’t replace your sunscreen) .
Healthy skin also requires a diet that’s full of healthy fats. Among them, we find vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, walnut) that prevent skin ageing. Avocado, rich in vitamins and nutrients, nourishes and regenerates the epidermis. Eggs help with cell renewal. Oily fish are very good allies for the skin, especially salmon, which is really good for your skin thanks to its richness in iron, calcium, and omega-3 that nourishes skin and prevents acne. Besides salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel also do your skin a lot of good. And while we’re on the topic of fish, don't forget to eat seafood, a source of omega-3s. Oysters in particular promote healing by offering you a big dose of zinc, a trace element that’s also found in dried fruits. Speaking of dried fruits, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts are rich in fatty acids and trace elements (i.e. selenium, zinc and copper) that are a gold mine for your skin. In addition to their antioxidant properties, they contribute to the elasticity of the skin and strengthen its ability to heal.
The enemies of smooth skin
Conversely, certain other foods are linked to problematic skin. It’s best to avoid or limit cold cuts, red meat, and animal-derived dairy products, which will stimulate the overproduction of sebum. If you consume too much, you run the risk of a shiny complexion with extra pimples. Simple sugars, found in sweets or pizza, will also promote skin imperfections. Finally, think about putting on the apron to make some homemade dishes rather than buying processed industrial meals that contain bad fats, additives, and many preservatives.
In the drinks department
When it comes to what you’re putting in your mouth, liquids are also important. The ideal drink for beautiful skin? Without hesitation: water. It’s absolutely essential for good hydration. But green tea is definitely a runner up for skin-healthy drinks since it eliminates toxins and contributes to a radiant complexion thanks to its content of polyphenols that work against skin ageing. Sodas, which contain simple sugars, don’t offer any benefits to your health. When it comes to alcohol, moderate consumption is recommended because wine or beer tends to redden the complexion and dry out the skin.
Now all that’s left for us to say to you is bon appetit!
