10 Best Foods for Skin

Not everyone correlates eating healthy foods with attaining more healthy skin. We often look to skin care to do the trick. But science and research have proven that many foods we eat can also directly benefit skin health. We’re diving into some of the best foods for skin, and even pairing them with organic skin care products that will amp up the skin benefits when used topically. Get out your grocery list, and jot down these seriously skin-healthy foods (and they’re not all fruits and vegetables!).

10 Best Foods for Skin in Beauty Products

Avocado

Avocado contains beneficial fatty acids and healthy fats for -- you guessed it -- healthier skin. Avocado also contains antioxidants: handy allies for fending off skin damaging free radicals. When searching for foods for healthy skin, look for vitamin-rich foods. This fatty fruit is filled with skin regenerative nutrients like Vitamins C and E. Vitamin C supports elastin and collagen production (both tend to decrease as we age). Vitamin E works to soften and repair damaged skin.

Similar to avocado, the Seaberry Moisturizer contains fatty acids, antioxidants, and Vitamin C. You can really up your nutrient dosage by applying them topically in the form of a daily organic moisturizer. On top of collagen enhancing Vitamin C, this moisturizer also has anti-inflammatory benefits that can benefit dry skin, aging skin, and acne prone skin.

Kale

Kale is so much more than a perfunctory addition to your juices and smoothies. Rich in vitamin A with a supporting cast of vitamins C and K, this gorgeous green is a must for adding to your skin care routine. Antioxidants and phytonutrients in kale help to fortify skin against free radical and environmental damage. 206% of your daily value of Vitamin A, a relative of anti-aging retinol, is present in just one cup of kale. Vitamin A encourages production of newer, healthier skin cells. Vitamin C is a legendary collagen-boosting, skin-firming antioxidant, and Vitamin K helps minimize the appearance of scars, spider veins, and bruising in skin.

Olive Oil

Did you know that extra virgin olive oil contains a cancer-fighting antioxidant?According to this research, adding this antioxidant (called oleocanthal) can be ingested into the body to fortify skin against skin cancer. When ingested, olive oil’s potent antioxidant properties strengthen skin cell defense against the free radical damage that occurs through UV exposure. Our best shopping tip? Beware of diluted olive oils; opt for extra virgin and organic for maximum health benefits. 

The Restorative Facial Oil is a blend of cold pressed oils that were chosen because they are antioxidant packed, nutrient filled, and moisturizing. This luxurious, high quality blend of oils was formulated to aid skin cells against free radicals, help rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier, and help visually reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Dark Chocolate

As if we needed another reason to adore chocolate! Cocoa is extremely rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which both support stronger, healthier skin. As we know, antioxidants are incredible skin protectors against UV damage and can neutralize free radicals. A popular myth is that chocolate leads to breakouts -- this may be true if you consume too much milk chocolate, which is cocoa that’s been diluted by milk and sugar. If you’re using high concentrations of pure cocoa, you can actually improve blood flow, circulation, and hydration in the skin.

Tomato

Lycopene is an antioxidant found in tomatoes, and like olive oil, has been linked to cancer prevention. This free radical fighting antioxidant from one of our favorite fleshy fruits has also been known to protect against damage of collagen. Collagen is the natural protein that gives skin its structure, but is known to deplete as we age. No wonder tomato ranks so highly on one of the best foods for skin! To boost collagen production and ward off sagging skin and wrinkles, giving skin a lycopene-filled snack like tomato may help slow that process.

Lycopene also has strong benefits for protecting skin against UV rays, and can reduce the inflammatory response to these rays. While lycopene offers similar benefits as an SPF, you’ll still need to use sunscreen daily to further protect your skin from damaging and age-accelerating UV rays from the sun. Wondering how to get your daily dose of lycopene? Its content is actually the most potent in cooked or processed forms of tomato (like tomato paste), but you’ll still get great benefits from eating tomato raw.

If you’re looking to enhance benefits like the ones you get from tomatoes, add Puristry Vine Therapy Serum to your skin care routine. This serum contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins, a group of powerful antioxidants that help to prevent and reverse skin damage caused by UV rays. This serum also promotes elasticity and skin texture, thanks to the grape seed content that bonds to skin collagen for increased skin density.

Nuts

Loaded with healthy fats and fatty acids (much like avocado above), nuts are incredible for maintaining suppleness in skin. Each nut has its own claim to fame when it comes to skin benefits. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium, which soothes inflamed skin (like acne, irritation) and boosts elasticity. Almonds offer Vitamin E to support deeper hydration and better circulation by dilating blood vessels. Another impressive nut? Walnuts are anti-inflammatories with omega-3 fatty acids and serve anti-aging benefits like reduced fine lines and wrinkles. And while not technically nuts, sunflower seeds provide a rich dose of Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthier skin moisture barrier.

Green Tea

Green tea has been touted as a miracle elixir for thousands of years due to its multitude of health benefits. This includes potent antioxidants for skin, which help to reduce inflammation and redness. Green tea can also help with rosacea, acne, or any other redness or irritation present in the skin. Signs of aging such as dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles will also be minimized with regular consumption of potent antioxidants. Consuming green tea will give you a hefty dose of them, in addition to hydration.

The Yerba Mate Eye Cream contains polyphenols for promoting both cellular regeneration and antioxidant power. Just like green tea, yerba mate has the ability to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This eye cream is perfect for reducing dark circles, puffiness, and those pesky crow's feet that creep up as we age.

Pomegranate

This antioxidant powerhouse moonlights as an anti-aging superfruit. Pomegranates keep busy by neutralizing free radicals in our skin -- this includes harmful UV rays and environmental stressors like pollution and extreme weather. These stressors all lead to premature signs of aging if preventative measures aren’t taken, making pomegranate a supremely anti-aging food for skin. Ellagic and punicic acids in this fruit keep skin looking younger by minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also lock in moisture that keeps skin looking young and supple. Finally, with its hefty dose of antioxidants vitamin C and other polyphenols, pomegranates have even been linked to prevention of skin cancer. In addition to consuming this sweet and tart fruit, look for skin care products that contain pomegranate oils and extracts to reap its seriously fantastic health benefits.

Water

Our earth is comprised of 71% water, and our bodies 60%. This begs the question: where would any of us be without our beloved H2O? When ingested regularly, water helps to flush toxins out of the body and can help to purify our bodily systems, in turn resulting in healthier skin. If skin isn’t properly hydrated, you’ll know it: dehydrated skin will become dry and flaky. Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles, and dehydrated skin will make wrinkles more visible. Hydration will make skin more plump and supple, especially when paired with the right skin care products to help prevent water loss in your dermis.

This hydrating facial cleanser contains skin plumping polysaccharides, which help the skin absorb and retain hydration. The Nopal Cactus Cleanser also delivers water molecules to thirsty skin cells from naturally water-retaining nopal cactus, illustrating how cacti can survive in such dry, desolate heat. Locking in that extra hydration will keep skin looking supple and smooth.

Cucumber

You’ll see these pale green slices on eyes and in spa water infusions for years to come, thanks to their higher than average water content of 96%. In addition, cucumbers will also provide detoxifying properties and skin beneficial nutrients like biotin and Vitamins A, B1, and C. They make cucumber one of the best foods for clear skin. Cucumber juice is a recommended source of silica, which helps keep connective tissue healthy and your complexion looking glowy and healthy.

Hydrosols have been used in skin care for thousands of years, making them perfect candidates for organic skin care. The reason for their cosmetic staying power? Their skin hydrating, calming, and purifying properties. The Flower Water Toner takes a page from cucumber’s book, thanks to its skin quenching duo of rose and calendula flower hydrosols.

If you’re looking to enhance skin health, pure and beneficial products in your skin care routine will always help your cause. Just remember that what you eat is also an important factor, and should never be overlooked. Try to target foods for healthy skin that, when consumed, will benefit you from the inside out.