Beauty starts from within—and we’re not just talking about your lovely personality! Your skin is the largest organ of your body and is directly impacted by the food you eat.
Certain foods are packed with super ingredients to nourish your skin, encourage healing and collagen production, reduce fine lines and dark spots, slow or reduce the visible effects of aging, and so much more. Some of these foods are more effective when eaten, while others make as perfect an ingredient for a facial recipe as they do a tasty snack.
Below, we’ll tell you all about the healthiest skin foods that you can add to your diet or mix into your new favorite facial cocktail!
Vegetables
We’re sure it’s no surprise that a few vegetables have made their way onto yet another healthiest foods list. There’s no getting around it—if you want radiant skin, it’s time to add some more green to your diet, and maybe even your skincare routine. Here are our top three vegetables your skin will love:
1. Celery – Celery is anti-inflammatory, which means it helps fight redness and irritation. It also contains vitamin C to boost collagen and brighten your skin tone. Celery can also fight acne with its antibacterial properties, improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles with vitamin K, protect against UV with luteolin (always wear sunscreen as well), and detoxify your skin with a host of antioxidants.
How to use it: You can apply celery juice and/or pulp (make sure it has no added sugar) directly to your face to soak up its many benefits.
2. Cucumber – Full of vitamin C and K, cucumber includes many of the same benefits as celery but is also commonly used to fight dark circles if applied under the eyes. It also reduces the appearance of pores and oil production with amino acids and salicylate.
How to use it: Combine half of a cucumber with a tablespoon of honey in a blender for an easy DIY facial mask. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
3. Broccoli – Broccoli is also loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants which have anti-aging properties and encourage a glowing complexion. It is also helpful for fighting acne due to sulforaphane.
How to use it: You can apply broccoli to your face as a mask by combining 5-6 florets with a tablespoon of coconut oil (or a teaspoon of honey) and 2 tablespoons of green tea. Blend into a paste and apply for up to 10 minutes.
Fruits
It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t already enjoy ripe fruit whenever they can, but some fruits are better than others when it comes to nourishing your skin. Next time you’re in the produce section, make some room in your cart for these essential skin foods:
1. Strawberries – Like the vegetables listed above, strawberries contain vitamin C, essential for collagen production. Strawberries will serve to brighten your skin, soothe the eye area as an astringent, exfoliate dead skin cells if added to a facial routine, and even fight acne with naturally produced salicylic acid. However, they may trigger eczema flare-ups.
How to use it: Blend 4-5 strawberries together with a tablespoon of raw manuka honey and apply it to your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
2. Tomatoes – The enzymes in tomatoes can serve to gently exfoliate the skin. Tomatoes are also a great addition to an anti-acne routine because they help close pores and balance the skin’s pH levels. Keep in mind that tomatoes are not eczema friendly.
How to use it: To use tomato directly on your skin, take just the pulp of half a tomato or mix it with a few drops of tea tree oil and let it sit on your skin for up to 10 minutes.
3. Avocados – Besides possessing antioxidants and vitamin C like the mentions above, if you’re prone to eczema/dermatitis, avocados can help soothe the irritation and hydrate dry skin with biotin. The oils can also nourish your skin and protect its delicate barrier, reducing sebum production and breakouts.
How to use it: Blend one ripe avocado with 2 teaspoons of raw manuka honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your face for up to 15 minutes.
Spices
If you’re only using the spices in your cabinet to flavor your food, you’re missing out on all the other delicious benefits they have to offer. Here are a few spices we recommend adding to your facial care routine:
1. Nutmeg – Nutmeg’s primary benefit is its ability to help heal scarred tissue and UV damage. With the help of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it can also reduce fine lines and lighten hyperpigmentation. Ground up, it makes for a gentle but effective exfoliant. Because it tightens pores, it’s even perfect for those looking to control their oily skin.
How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon powdered nutmeg with 2 tablespoons raw manuka honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Leave the mask on your face for up to 20 minutes.
2. Cinnamon – Cinnamon has similar benefits to nutmeg. It reduces signs of aging, can be used to exfoliate the skin in its ground form, and evens skin texture and pigmentation. However, it has also been known to trigger eczema symptoms in some individuals.
How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon with 2 tablespoons raw manuka honey and 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Apply to face and leave for 10-15 minutes.
3. Turmeric – Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It is often used to heal and brighten skin. Turmeric can also help replenish skin and lessen the symptoms of eczema such as dryness and irritation.
How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons raw manuka honey, and 1 teaspoon yogurt (unsweetened and unflavored). Leave on your face for up to 20 minutes.
Nuts/Seeds/Grains
Nuts, seeds, and grains are filled with healthy fats, vitamins, and more that offer an incredible boost toward glowy skin. Here are our favorites:
1. Oats – Oats contain antioxidants and plain oatmeal can even be used to gently cleanse sensitive skin. Rolled oats mixed with honey and a bit of water can be used as an exfoliant. They are also commonly used for hydrating dry skin and easing symptoms of eczema due to their ability to soothe and protect the skin.
How to use it: Cook one cup of plain oatmeal and let it cool. Add 2 tablespoons raw manuka honey or apply plain oatmeal to your face for up to 15 minutes.
2. Almonds – Almonds are full of vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps heal UV damage and fights free radicals. They also have zinc, which can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. However, almonds may not be eczema friendly.
How to use it: If you want a good exfoliator that will leave your skin baby smooth, grind up 12-15 almonds and add a teaspoon of lemon juice and two tablespoons of milk or unsweetened almond milk. Gently rub the mixture in small circular motions over your face and rinse with cool water.
3. Sunflower Seeds – Sunflower seeds are another significant source of vitamin E. They are also anti-inflammatory to fight redness and irritation and help clear clogged pores. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well, sunflower seeds are helpful for people who suffer from eczema.
How to use it: Soak ½ cup of sunflower seeds in rosewater or milk overnight. Then blend the seeds with 2 tablespoons of raw manuka honey into a paste using a blender. Apply to your face for 15-20 minutes.
Other Skin-Loving Foods
Here are some other foods that can help you along your journey to achieving bright and healthy skin:
1. Manuka Honey – Honey is antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial, making it a great option for preventing infections as well as healing, soothing, and protecting the skin. It also helps your skin lock in moisture and can lessen the symptoms of eczema.
How to use it: Raw manuka honey can be used in almost any DIY face mask, but our favorite recipe is to mix ½ tablespoon powdered turmeric and 2 tablespoons raw manuka honey. Leave it on for up to 15 minutes.
2. Green Tea – Green tea can fight acne and moisturize your skin with its high content of vitamin E. It also reduces oil production, which may serve to lessen acne. Because green tea is anti-inflammatory, it is sometimes used to soothe irritated skin and eczema/dermatitis.
How to use it: Brew one tea bag of plain unsweetened green tea and let it cool. Mix the brewed green tea leaves and 1 teaspoon of green tea with 1 tablespoon raw manuka honey and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Leave on for up to 15 minutes.
3. Kimchi – Kimchi contains significant amounts of vitamin C as well as B vitamins. It is known for slowing the signs of aging and helping maintain your skin’s youthfulness. It can also help fight eczema flare-ups from the inside with the help of probiotics. It can’t be used on your face, but it will make a healthy addition to your diet.
Introduce more of these delicious and nutritious foods into your diet or add them to your self-care routine, and you’ll achieve noticeably more vibrant and healthy skin. Enjoy!
Connect with local nutritionists and estheticians in your area.
