They say beauty is only skin deep. And, of course, it’s what’s on the inside that matters. But because skin is your body’s largest organ, it’s a good indicator of overall health, too. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense against the outside world (think: bacteria and pollutants) as well as a key part of your body’s detoxification system. And since your skin’s health starts from the inside, one of the best ways to show it a bit of love is with the best diet for healthy skin.
Skincare Starts With Diet
Aging is a perfectly natural, beautiful thing that should be embraced and celebrated. And what better way to show your body and skin how much you love it than by giving it the nourishment it needs to stay vital and healthy?
In addition to avoiding things like excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, and other environmental toxins, your best course of action for beautiful, healthy skin is to start with your diet.
The Best Diet For Healthy Skin
Start Prioritizing Antioxidants
While you’ve definitely heard of antioxidants, you may not be as familiar with how they work to protect the skin. Antioxidants are molecules found in food (mostly plants) that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are the byproducts of a number of processes in the body that can damage cells and lead to illness and aging.
When your body isn’t getting enough antioxidants to keep the free radicals under control, then oxidative stress takes hold. And oxidative stress has been shown to speed up the aging process. The best way to increase antioxidants is by including plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet. Aim for at least five servings every day.
Want the most antioxidant bang for your buck? The foods listed below are some of the highest in antioxidants.
- Herbs and spices like mint, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves
- Cacao, which is why we love Cacao Bliss!
- Pomegranate
- Berries, especially blackberries and blueberries
- Artichoke
- Kale
- Cauliflower
- Walnuts, pecans, and other nuts and seeds
- Coffee, in moderation, of course
Skin-Supporting Vitamins and Minerals
While a diet rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals is great for overall health, vitamins C and E, along with the mineral selenium, are particularly good for skin.
Vitamin C has been shown to potentially help protect against sun damage, even skin tone, smooth wrinkles, and help support collagen production. Vitamin E may also be helpful in reducing UV damage to skin. Selenium works along vitamin C and E to stops free radicals and other skin-damaging compounds before they can lead to wrinkles.
- Blueberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, kiwi fruits, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes are all high in vitamin C.
- Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, fatty fish, and avocado are good sources of vitamin E.
- Lean proteins, fatty fish, and Brazil nuts are some of the best sources of selenium.
Stay Hydrated
This one is simple but no less important. Your skin is a great sign of chronic dehydration. If your skin is dry, tired, and dull looking, chances are you’re not getting enough water. Six to eight glasses of water a day should keep your skin well hydrated.
And while almost all fluids count towards your daily allowance, it’s best to avoid drinks that are high in added sugars. And, of course, limit alcohol since it has a whole host of negative impacts on your skin and overall health.
Include Healthy Fats
Every cell in your body relies on fat for structural integrity, and skin cells are no exception. Ensuring your diet includes plenty of healthy fats will help keep your skin supple and improve elasticity. The key is to make sure you’re including high-quality fats from whole food sources and avoiding the low quality fats found in processed foods.
Avocados, nuts, and seeds all provide essential fatty acids that work to naturally moisturize your skin. And the omega-3s found in oily fish, flaxseed, linseed, chia seeds, and walnuts may help with inflammatory skin conditions.
Supplement With Collagen Peptides
Collagen is the most plentiful protein found in the body and is the key building block for skin, hair, and nails. Sadly, as you age, your body produces less and lower quality collagen. In fact, collagen starts diminishing by the time you hit your mid-20s and only gets worse once you reach menopause.
While eating a nutrient-dense diet full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help support the body’s production of collagen, supplementing with high-quality Collagen Peptides can make a huge difference.
In fact, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown that taking Collagen Peptides reduces the appearance of cellulite and has a positive impact on skin health. *
Earth Echo’s hydrolyzed bovine Collagen Peptides are loaded with glycine and proline, two anti-aging amino acids that help your skin look visibly younger while also supporting gut health, hair and nail health, joint health, and a more restful night sleep. *
Collagen Peptides are the secret weapon when it comes to the best diet for healthy skin. Click the link below to see how easy it is to support your overall health and vitality with this powerful supplement.
Shop Collagen Peptides here!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
