Here at Rejuvaskin, one of our favorite topics is healthy skin. We all want it, and it seems to come easy to some of us; however, for others, hard work and lifestyle changes are necessary. In this post, we’ll take a look at how your diet affects your skin, some of the best foods for skin, some anti-aging foods, and一 on the other hand一 what foods ruin your skin.
What Are The Best Foods For Skin?
Generally speaking, whole fruits and vegetables are some of the best foods for skin; they are amazing at achieving and maintaining that youthful, glowing complexion. However, certain fruits and vegetables stand out, thanks to their nutrient makeup: yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (carrots, oranges, apricots, and bell peppers), leafy greens (spinach, kale, and chard), berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries), legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soy), fatty fish, and nuts.
What Nutrients Help Skin Health?
Taking a look at the above list of healthy foods, most people might not see a connection right away. However, these foods all contain varying amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and healthy fats like Omega 3 fatty acids. Just like the rest of our bodies, our skin requires nutrients and vitamins to stay in tip-top, healthy shape. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to do our best to fuel our bodies properly.
How Long Does It Take For Diet To Affect The Skin?
Just like with any part of your skincare routine, it can take some time to see any changes or the benefits of a new part of your routine. Generally speaking, you should maintain any dietary changes for at least one week; this will help you see the direct benefits of your dietary change. Since it can take more than a week to see positive changes, you may also want to keep everything else in your routine the same; don’t switch up products while you also change your diet - this could be a confounding variable that impedes your ability to discern how effective your diet change actually was.
What Foods Ruin Your Skin?
If healthy, whole foods are best for the skin, it makes sense that we’ll find highly-processed foods, bad fats, and sugary foods in this category. If you’re looking for a list of what foods ruin your skin, you probably won’t be surprised by the following: processed meats (hot dogs, bologna, kielbasa, pepperoni), deep-fried foods, refined grains (white bread and white pasta), and high-sugar foods (chocolate, some condiments, ice cream, desserts). Some people also notice that dairy and soy cause skin issues for themselves.
Does all this mean you can never eat a hot dog or fries again? Of course not! Like with most things in life, splurging on any of these foods in moderation is fine, but if they’re a part of your everyday diet, your skin may not be too happy about it. One thing you can do is simply up the amount of skin-healthy nutrients you’re putting into your diet, and reduce the amount of oily, processed foods you skin doesn’t like.
Are There Any Anti-Aging Foods?
While there’s no magic beans that will miraculously turn back the clock after eating, the key to anti-aging foods is that they contain healthy fats like omega 3. Foods like avocado, walnuts, and flax seeds contain high amounts of healthy fats. Legumes are another great source of anti-aging protein, mainly because they tend to replace more unhealthy proteins like red meat and processed meats.
Key Takeaways About Diet & Healthy Skin
In general, drinking plenty of water, replacing unhealthy foods with whole ones, and keeping an eye on how your skin is reacting to these changes is your best bet for improving the health of your skin with your diet. However, don’t forget that, of course, your skincare products also play a role in your skin’s health. Choose products that enhance your skin’s natural beauty without stripping it of its healthy glow.