Top Superfoods For Gorgeous Skin

By Charlotte Carson

The old adage nothing comes for free in life could not be truer. So, stack the deck in your favour by stocking up on superfoods that are intended to advance the best results for gorgeous skin.

A healthy glow comes from a healthy body filled with healthy superfoods. Probably not a huge shocker, but maybe it’s time to look at things before you eat them and ask, “what would my skin do?”

Here are some of the superfoods we can inject into our diet to get that deliciously radiant skin.

Radishes

This hero vegetable is the only mainstream food high in both of the beauty minerals sulfur and silica, and one of the best vegetable sources of Vitamin C. The three work synergistically to make your skin glow and help with healthy connective tissue formation.

Flax & Hemp Seeds

Both are complete proteins and sources of essential fatty acids like Omega 3s that help maintain cell membranes, allowing water and nutrients in, while simultaneously keeping toxins out. They also protect skin against sun damage and help prevent wrinkles.

Cacao Beans

All chocolate is made out of the cacao bean, or chocolate nut. It contains flavanols, a group of flavonoids, that have been shown to improve the skin’s appearance by decreasing sensitivity to light. Flavanols also increase blood flow to the skin, improving skin structure and texture.

Spirulina

Rich in amino acids and beta carotene, these blue-green algae contains many of the B vitamins and trace minerals that may be depleted through illness or stress. Spirulina can be taken in capsules or as a powdered supplement mixed with water, juice or smoothies.

Water

Stay hydrated, for dehydration makes the skin appear dull, rough and older regardless of what you’re eating.

Blueberries

Ranked the number one antioxidant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, heap a ½ cup into your smoothie in the morning to aid in preventing premature aging.

Sea Vegetables

With a capacity to provide concentrated minerals in easily assimilated form like no other food out there, seaweeds will improve the texture and appearance of skin and hair. They also include alginic acid, a substance known to absorb and remove toxins from the body, making them a stellar detox food during cleansing.

Spinach

Rich in nutrients and antioxidants, spinach is packed with lutein, vitamin B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids all known for packing on the pretty in skin. A key vegetable in the superfoods to eat.

Tomatoes

One of the superhero superfood veggies, tomatoes are known for helping protect you from sun damage due to high antioxidant content. Tomatoes are the best source of the anti-aging antioxidant lycopene.

Full of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E a handful of walnuts a day is an aid in smoother skin, healthy hair, brighter eyes, and strong bones.

Kiwis

Loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants this fruit helps keep the skin firm and the prevention of wrinkles.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that fights aging.

Red Bell Peppers

Red peppers contain more skin-boosting vitamin C and is a pre-cursor to collagen production and is an antioxidant.

Coconut

Coconut water, a brilliant natural hydration aid, contains potassium, an electrolyte that helps move nutrients into our cells. Coconut oil, high in healthy fats, vitamins E and K and minerals, is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair, boosting growth and shine by moisturizing the scalp.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is packed with vitamins A, D and E and omega-9 fatty acids all key to building healthy skin. Also, a great source of biotin that keeps the skin smooth and nails and hair from getting brittle. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, so it has the range to use when sautéing or roasting veggies or as a drizzle on a cold dish.

Garlic

A true miracle plant and known superfood, garlic, a natural antibiotic, helps prevent breakouts and maintaining clear skin.

Walnuts

These nuts have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which aids the body in retaining moisture, giving your skin and hair shine. The protein content of the walnuts helps boost hair follicles, making hair fuller and stronger.

Pomegranates

When applied topically to the skin is antioxidant rich and is said to produce collagen and speed healing. So, mash some up and give yourself a DIY fresh fruit mask.

Pumpkin Seeds

Packed with zinc, vitamins A, K, and C, and omega-3 fatty acids, are all important for producing sebum ‘ your skin’s natural oil ‘ to protect and repair skin.

Collard Greens

Collards are extremely high in vitamin C, which is a major antioxidant that fights toxins (one cup of collards provides 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C).

Pineapple

Loaded with vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain, pineapple is known to be an effective skin softener.

So in essence, keeping the skin diet focused on superfoods can be a huge bonus for your skincare.