Skin conditions from sun baked skin to free radicals and from acne to wrinkles and skin cancer have many reasons from lifestyle to genetics. But the good thing is that most skin conditions can be cured with food.
You need not relying on cosmetics for everything when you have amazing foods to provide necessary vitamins, proteins and minerals that can keep your skin free from blemishes and make you look younger even in the advanced age.
Here’s the list of 25 food items that can keep you free from skin conditions
Cooked Tomatoes
It is collagen that keeps skin taut and gives it youthful structure. Collagen is a type of protein that also reduces aging-effects by fighting free radicals and oxidizing effect of UV rays. Tomatoes have lycopene, a type of phytochemical that boosts collagen strength and cooking ups lycopene level in tomatoes.
Carrots
Overproduction of cells in the outer layer of skin is dangerous could lead to fewer flaky dead cells and if these cells combine with sebum, they can clog your skin pores. But an oxidant in carrots can prevent it from happening. Also, carrots have vitamin A that prevents development of skin-cancer cells.
Sweet Potatoes
Consuming more portions of red and orange vegetables could improve your skin complexion to sun-kissed because of carotenoids that is present in large quantities in these vegetables. And a sweet potato contains more carotenoids than any other vegetable. It is so rich that even a medium sized baked potato can give 200% of your daily recommended dose.
Natto
It is a Japanese food made by boiling and fermenting soyabeans with bacteria to increase the nutritional value of the beans. It is a rich source of dietary food and vitamin K2 that increases skin elasticity and prevents formation of wrinkles. Also, it has gut-healing probiotics and a healthy gut keeps skin free from problems like acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains an active oxidant, curcumin. It is anti-inflammatory in nature and fights free radicals. Also, turmeric can lighten dark pigmentation blotches by inhibiting the enzyme that causes pigmentation. You can make a face mask by mixing turmeric powder in honey.
Salmon
Salmon contains dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) that strengthens the cell membranes and guards skin cells against deterioration. It prevents formation of arachidonic acid (AA) responsible for creases and wrinkles. Also, it increases acetycholine level that boosts proper muscle functioning that keeps skin look well-toned and firm.
Papaya
This tropical fruit contains a number of active enzymes that relives inflammation. Another enzyme papain removes skin blemishes. It can also cure acne. It cleanses the skin by dissolving pores-clogging fat when applied topically. Also, it contains vitamin C that strengthens collagen.
Yellow Peppers
Vitamin C is essential for a healthy skin as this vitamin is responsible for building collagen and growth of skin and muscle tissues. And the best way to get vitamin C is to consume yellow peppers. British Journal of Nutrition also supports this claim.
Safflower Oil
It is the ultimate moisturizer as it provides a great cure for dry, flaky and itchy skin condition. It contains omega-6 acid that keeps cell walls supple. It allows water to penetrate the epidermis to keep the skin moisturized all the time.
Eggs
Egg yolk is rich in vitamins necessary for cell function. Also, it contains biotin that is also called “beauty vitamin”. It is vitamin B and it is found to be helpful in protecting skin from conditions like acne, rashes and dryness. And this has been proved by research.
Spa Water
It is a reliable cure for puffy, raccoon eyes with dark under-eye circles. While there could be many reasons for formation of these dark circles under eyes, there is one reliable solution to this problem. Drinking up spa water mixed with rind and other citrus fruits can cure puffy eyes with dark circles in a short time. Citrus fruit contain vitamin C that balances electrolyte level and de-limonene in the rind helps flushing out toxins from liver.
Avocado
This fruit contains monounsaturated fatty acids that lower the risk of premature aging by UV radiation. Also, avocado fats allow the skin cells to absorb more fat-soluble vitamins that shield skin from sun rays.
Spinach
This green leafy vegetable is rich in folate that is found in vitamin B that maintains and repairs DNA. Consuming this green leafy veggie can reduce risk of skin cancer considerably.
Green Tea
Green tea with its rich contents of catechins can make your skin glow. And it is in addition to other benefits like weight loss. It works like an antioxidant and its anti-cancer properties have been proven by researches.
Kale
It is a superfood as it packs vitamins A, C, E and K. While the first three vitamins have anti-aging effect, vitamin K is helpful in quick healing. And vitamin K can be consumed orally or applied topically to minimize the visibility of dark spots like bruises, stretch marks and spider veins.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain antioxidants that help body in controlling cell damaging and skin-aging free radicals. They also have high concentration of anthocyanins that boost collagen fibers. Also, they are rich in prebiotics that can help in quick healing of inflammation-induced skin conditions.
Coconut Water & Oil
Rich in potassium and electrolytes, coconut water can replenish and hydrate your skin and make it look softer and younger. The coconut oil contains caprylic acid that is a potent antimicrobial good for wiping bad bacteria and candida from gut. Removing bad bacteria improves digestion and prevents breakouts.
Oats
Oats are good for skin in many ways. This whole food with high fiber content can brighten up your skin. Also, fiber controls inflammation-inducing gut bacteria. It minimizes blood sugar that is a common cause for skin conditions and firms up tissues. But the bigger advantage of oats is presence of silicon that helps skin in maintaining elasticity and slows down effect of aging.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts boost production of collagen that is helpful in curing undereye dark circles. It contains a specific mineral that helps preserver elastin responsible for smoothness and tightness of skin. Also, it acts as antioxidant that can stop free radicals formed by over exposure to UV rays. Brazil nuts also have vitamin E and copper. Vitamin E moisturizes skin and copper prevents it from harmful UV rays.
Almonds
Full of vitamin E, almonds can repair scarred cells and defend the skin against sun damage. It also works as an antioxidant and keeps skin free from free radicals. Also, almonds are a rich source of dairy free calcium.
Whole Wheat Bread
Those who take white bread should switch their bread with whole wheat bread for one reason that is it has a low glycemic index (GI) and taking a diet with low GI reduces formation of acne. On the contrary, white bread increases fat.
Walnuts
A prime source of healthy fat, walnuts can provide real help in preventing skin cancer by inhibiting the formation of chemical COX-2. And this has been proved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds give a punch of omega-3 fatty acids that improve skin hydration and reduce skin inflammation. Also, they erase dark spots and scars and iron out fine lines.
Dark Chocolate
Rich in flavanols, dark chocolate can work like an antioxidant and keep your skin free from free radicals. An excellent skin protection against sun damage, it can keep your skin free from aging issues.
Oysters
Replete with zinc, oysters can do much good to your skin. Zinc is essential for skin health as it plays a crucial role in cell functioning. Also, it is zinc that helps skin cells make proteins necessary for repair of damaged tissues and regeneration of new tissues. Zink is also an antioxidant hence can reduce formation of free radicals.
Disclaimer: Skin advantages of above food items discussed in the content are based on the nutritional content of food items. But the result of consuming those foods depend on factors like individual taste, allergic reactions, age, food culture and overall health of users.
