Rejuvenation, from the inside out.
You can invest an awful lot of money in skin care products and cosmetic procedures. But, since you have to eat anyway, why not just spend your money on natural foods that will nourish your skin? Here are a few tasty suggestions from Buzzfeed to help you look and feel great.
Pumpkin
The fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids in pumpkin are known to increase cell turnover for smoother and brighter skin. Acne can benefit from the zinc in the seeds, which helps control oil production and aids in healing.
Avocado
Avocados have been found to provide polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols for protection against UV damage to skin cells. They are also high in vitamins A, D, and E, which help replenish dry, damaged skin.
Carrots
High in pro-vitamin A, which has been linked to fighting UV radiation.
Black beans
Loaded with anthocyanins, which are very effective in preventing skin damage caused by free radicals.
Kale
Kale has high levels of vitamin A that is valuable in skin tissue growth and vitamin C which builds and holds collagen.
Tomato
Terrific for protection against sun damage thanks to the lycopene in the fruit that helps decrease the free radicals that can come about from UV rays.
Broccoli
Despite the, ahem, gas that accompanies this veggie, broccoli provides glucoraphanin, which turns into sulforaphane and reportedly repairs skin damage.
Almonds
High vitamin E content helps improve skin complexion and fight off cell damage. Almonds also protect your skin from pathogens.
Dark chocolate
The cocoa hydrates your skin and makes it firmer and more supple. High levels of flavonoids, an antioxidant, improve skin luminosity. The University of Michigan Medical School suggests consuming 1 oz of dark chocolate daily that contains at least 60% cocoa and is made from cocoa butter, not fats like palm and coconut oils.
Blackberries
Rich in tannin which helps tighten skin tissue, and one of the top 10 food sources of antioxidants.
Grass-fed beef
A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammations. The protein found in this beef also builds elastin in the skin, delaying wrinkles and premature aging.
Wild caught salmon
A great source of omega-3 fatty acids—the “good fats” that promote skin hydration and prevent acne. Wild salmon is recommended over farm-raised (also called Atlantic Salmon) because, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, farming “is associated with numerous environmental concerns, including water pollution, chemical use, parasites and disease.”
Sardines
Reportedly, the imethylaminoethanol and omega-3 fatty acids in sardines can maintain the skin’s thickness and elasticity.
Oysters
Reportedly the best food source for zinc, a mineral that plays an important role in skin renewal and repair. It helps create collagen, which provides the structural support in skin.
Red wine
The skin of red grapes used to make wine contain a compound called resveratrol, which has anti-aging properties, according to the Harvard Medical School.
Green tea
It’s no secret that, in moderation, green tea is healthy for you due to its high amount of antioxidants, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
Water
It’s common knowledge that water hydrates our skin from the inside out. Drinking a sufficient amount water every day maintains your skin’s healthy glow, and makes wrinkles less visible.
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