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There are countless beauty products to combat the signs of aging. While they do help, on their own they are not the elixir of eternal youth. Having a younger, hydrated, and radiant face also needs to come from within. How can you bring out yours? The answer is quite simple: including foods in your diet that nature designed specifically to care for skin.
We’ve put together a list of 16 amazing options that will help your skin become much more hydrated and softer thanks to their high vitamin content and antioxidant properties, not to mention the wonders they work.
Dark Chocolate—The perfect snack
Its high concentration of antioxidants and flavanols helps skin to be much softer. It also provides protection while making your skin more resistant to UVA rays, free radicals, preventing wrinkles and blemishes from appearing.
Avocado for smooth skin
Rich in proteins, fats, and vitamins, avocados are excellent for strengthening collagen structures and elastin in skin. It’s no coincidence that major labs make masks out of their pulp thanks to their properties that give skin shine and counteract premature aging.
Watermelons to prevent sun damage
This tropical wonder is a perfect option to stay hydrated. Some of its notable properties include lycopene, a phytochemical known for protecting skin from ultraviolet rays.
Pineapple to produce collagen
Lisa Hayim, creator of the beauty blog The Well Necessities, explained to Redbook: “Pineapple is rich in a mineral called manganese, which is needed to activate an enzyme called prolidase. Prolidase provides the amino acid proline for the formation of collagen in skin, which plays a role in skin strength and elasticity.”
Blueberries in the fight against wrinkles
Vitamin C is a powerful ally in the anti-aging fight as it prevents wrinkles from forming. It’s also rich in antioxidants to help you to combat stress, pollution, and free radicals that damage skin.
Lemon and lime—a perfect match
To fight wrinkles, nothing beats this dynamic duo. As we said before, vitamin C is a basic ingredient in your anti-age menu. An article in Bestlife cited the conclusions of a study done in the UK that stated that increasing your consumption of citrus fruits rich in vitamin C reduces wrinkling and helps create shine in dull skin.
Carrots, the rulers of beta-carotene
They’re rich in vitamin C and ideal for producing collagen that will help you to slow the aging process. They also have a high content of beta-carotene—from vitamin A—which helps to make skin firm and reduces smile lines and wrinkles.
Papayas to fill your skin with vitamin A
Papayas are full of vitamin A, which is perfect to enhance skin health. Like we said with carrots, this vitamin is the precursor to beta-carotene. It can help your body to produce melanin, a natural pigment in the skin that enriches your tan and protects you from the damage caused by solar radiation.
Tomatoes—even better when cooked
This oh-so-common food in most diets has some excellent skincare properties up its sleeve. Tomatoes rich in antioxidants and, when they’re cooked, they have an even higher content of lycopene, a unique antioxidant that protects skin from sun damage.
Edamame, a natural elixir
A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology—cited by BestLife—concluded that consuming unprocessed soy every day can help to improve wrinkles and smile lines. It also states that the results are more noticeable when consumed for three consecutive months.
Olive oil to look younger
This common household food has a high content of natural fatty acids and vitamins E and K that will help you to combat premature aging, helping the skin to maintain its natural elasticity and enhancing its smooth look.
Watercress to care for your skin
After reading this, watercress will be a must in your salads. Get your notepad ready! It’s full of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, and K which will make your skin look smoother and firmer (combating smile lines!).
Spinach, another way to eat your greens
Just like watercress, spinach will not only make your salads delicious, but also making your skin look youthful. It’s rich in phytonutrients and beta carotene, which will protect your skin from sun damage while helping to improve elasticity and smooth skin.
Turmeric—the anti-aging spice
The Lakatos twins, who are famous for their healthy nutrition books, have said that turmeric helps to fight cellular damage and aging. “Its powerful pigment, curcumin, seems to help prevent telomere (the end caps of our DNA) from shortening, which is believed to be a lead cause in aging and degenerative diseases.”
Sweet potato—the camote variety
This natural wonder is full of vitamin A to help you to fight off smile lines and wrinkles thanks to its support of collagen production.
Cold water fish
Fish like sardines, salmon, and mackerel have omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen skin’s cell membranes, helping to keep skin hydrated. There’s a reason Victoria Beckham has salmon every day. Its high vitamin D content helps to protect skin from UV rays and free radicals. These 16 options are super common foods. Apart from being delicious, they can be used to prepare some spectacular dishes that will make your skin radiate with youth. Of course, it’s important to speak with dermatologists and nutritionists to ensure you consume them responsibly.