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Skin Improvement Diet

When you want clear, glowing, healthy skin, there's only so much that topical products can do. Ultimately, you are what you eat---whatever you put inside your body is going to show up on the outside. Your diet can work for your skin or against it, so make sure every meal is full of skin-healthy foods, and your face will thank you.

  1. Vitamin A Foods

    • Vitamin A is essential for the health of your skin cells. It helps promote skin repair while fighting off acne. The vitamin A found in dairy products is the most easily digestible by the body, so stock up on milk and yogurt. Yogurt is especially great for skin since the live bacteria in it are great for digestion, and healthy digestion promotes healthy skin.

      Vegan? Beta carotene, found in veggies, is converted into vitamin A by your body. Carrots and dark leafy greens like spinach or kale are all great sources of beta carotene.

    Antioxidant Foods

    • Free radicals---unbalanced molecules produced by our bodies due to sun, stress, and chemicals---target the health of your skin, especially collagen, which keeps skin looking plump and young. Antioxidants fight free radicals and protect skin from premature aging. The four highest antioxidant foods are plums, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Other great sources are tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, pecans, prunes, and artichokes.

      Green tea is also an amazing source of antioxidants, and may help to protect you against skin cancer. It's anti-inflammatory, too, which boosts your overall skin health. Drink several cups a day to keep your skin hydrated and protected.

    Omega-3 Foods

    • Foods rich in essential fatty acids keep your cell membranes healthy, which helps to protect cells against damaging outside forces, as well as retain water. When your cells retain water, skin is plumper, firmer and younger-looking. Most people get enough omega-6 essential fatty acid in their diet; it's omega-3 that you need to look out for.

      Find it in oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed. Eat your flaxseed ground or in oil form; whole flaxseeds will probably pass right through you, undigested.

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