Naturally Beautiful Skin, Part 2: Eating for Healthy Skin

Some of my favorite skin secrets aren’t lotions or oils; they’re foods. I told you in Part 1 that eating good food is good for your skin, but there are some foods that directly nourish it. And the great news: they’re delicious, too. Here are a few of my favorites:

Cheap, delicious & hydrating!

• Almonds. One ounce contains 35% of the daily value of vitamin E, an important fat soluble anti-oxidant. As it combats free radical damage, the monounsaturated fat in almonds helps the skin stay elastic and hydrated. All nuts are a good source of biotin, a B vitamin essential for hair and skin health. Olives and avocado are good alternatives.
• Red bell peppers. Packed with vitamin C and bioflavonoids, red peppers are good for the health of blood vessels that supply food and oxygen to the skin. Berries can be substituted here.
• Dark salad greens. These bitter greens act as a digestive stimulant and gentle detoxifier. Skin is an organ of elimination, helping to push out toxins. Cleansing foods make the skin’s job easier.
• Eggs. Their protein is high in sulfur, and this makes it perfect for feeding the protein structure of the skin. Egg yolk is high in vitamin A, a critical skin vitamin. A vegan alternative might be beans with a side of butternut squash or glazed carrots.
• Apricots. Each one has over 15% of the daily value for vitamin A. It comes as beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. All carotenes are antioxidants as well, and combat free radical damage. Any vegetable that is bright red, orange or yellow will have a lot.
• Kiwi. There’s a full day’s supply of vitamin C in each kiwi, as well as 250 mg of potassium. Potassium not only helps your energy level, it combats the water retention caused by eating too much salt. That can cause your skin to look puffy and dull. Oranges can fill in here.

Your skin loves salad.

All these foods are great for snacking and adding to meals in salads and sides. They are also great for the heart, brain, and the immune system. Foster beautiful skin with these yummy foods and your whole body will benefit. I’m getting hungry.

Next in this series: how to nourish the skin from the outside in. See you then.