Best Drinks & Foods for Your Skin

Besides using quality skincare products, you should also pay close attention to your diet in your quest to take care of your skin. Solids and liquids you use to fuel your body can also go a long way in bringing out the absolute best in your skin, much like facial steamers. Learn more about foods and drinks that revitalize your complexion.

Olive Oil

If it’s younger-looking skin you’re aiming for, consume at least three teaspoons of olive oil a day. While there are several different kinds of oil, what makes olive oil so beneficial is that it contains monounsaturated fats, which promote healthy and youthful skin. There are also antioxidant polyphenols in this specific type of oil that take care of harmful free radicals that can dry your skin, damage tissue and cause wrinkles.

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that also acts as a skin protectant against free radicals. This mineral is found in button mushrooms, Brazil nuts and whole-wheat pasta.

Green Juice With Kale

If you’re on a juicing kick, or want to start one, try green juice with kale to improve your skin. It’s the vitamin A in green juice that helps your cells to thrive. The green concoction also contains copper and vitamin C, which provide your skin with a healthy glow.

Tomatoes

Because tomatoes go great with a number of foods, and even a few drinks, it’s easy to add it to your daily diet as you work your way towards better skin. Specifically, tomatoes act as a great way to keep your skin safe from the harmful rays of the sun, so make sure you have at least five tablespoons of tomato paste the next time you head to the beach or plan on spending a lot of time outside. One thing to bear in mind is that you don’t want to use tomatoes as a replacement for sunscreen, only as a sunscreen enhancer.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants and free radicals have appeared on this list more than a few times, and for good reason. Free radicals are found in x-rays, the ozone, cigarette smoke, industrial chemicals and air pollutants. To combat their effects, make sure you get plenty of antioxidants. Besides tomatoes, additional sources of helpful antioxidants include squash, beets, apricots, colorful fruits, sweet potatoes, beans and peppers. With so many sources, you should have no problem consuming plenty of antioxidants on a daily basis and keeping your skin (and the rest of your body) healthy.

Soy Milk

You don’t have to be vegan to start sipping on soy milk. Much like regular milk, soy milk is great for your bones, but the substitute is also loaded with what are known as isoflavones, which prevent bothersome wrinkles and protect collagen. So the next time you’re at the grocery store to pick up some milk, try your hand at soy milk to see if you can find a brand that tastes just as good (if not better) as regular milk.

Dark Chocolate

The cocoa flavanols found in dark chocolate help keep your skin well-hydrated while boosting your circulation at the same time. This means your skin won’t be as rough if you aim for eating dark chocolate or drinking cocoa powder drinks with a high flavanol content. One thing to keep in mind with this skin-boosting food is you want to watch out for those calories. You might care much about having great skin if it means sacrificing your current waistline.

Carrot Juice

Another selection you can add to your juicing exploration is fresh-pressed carrot juice, which contains beta-carotene. It’s beta-carotene that allows your skin to glow once it’s changed to vitamin A in your system. Be sure to drink a glass a day if you want to keep common signs of aged skin at bay.

Oatmeal

Make the switch from cereal, a bagel or a donut for breakfast to oatmeal. Refined carbs found in some breakfast foods send your insulin levels into overdrive and can lead to excess oil production, which can get trapped underneath your skin and break you out in pimples. Oatmeal is a healthier alternative for your body as well as your skin.

Pay close attention to what you eat and drink throughout the day if you aim to protect your skin and your youthful appearance. There’s no need to go broke on expensive creams and cleansers.