7 Foods That Can Help With Your Complexion

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Whether or not you think about it, your diet has more of an impact on your body than just your waistline. When a skin issue comes up, your first instinct might be to get some sort of topical cream or acne medication for a quick fix, but your diet could be a major factor in your skin imperfections. The skin is the largest and most sensitive organ we have so we should treat it that way. Here are 7 foods you can easily incorporate into your diet to help improve complexion.

1. Spinach

Load up on leafy greens like spinach to get all kinds of antioxidants. Spinach has Vitamin C and antioxidants that’ll help to repair skin cells. The green leafy vegetable is also rich in Vitamin K and folate, which can help to minimize acne and dark circles.

2. Pumpkin Seeds

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The next time you’re carving a pumpkin, don’t scoop your seeds right into the garbage. The zinc that’s found in pumpkin seeds can help to maintain your skin’s collagen levels, which means more elasticity. Zinc also helps when it comes to fighting acne. Pimples are basically just a buildup of bacteria and oil, which block up your pores. Since zinc boosts immune function, it might help your body to ward off acne.

3. Garlic

This one is a no-brainer. Not only is garlic delicious, but it could help with your acne and skin blemishes. Garlic has been called nature’s best medicine since it has the potential to kill infecting bacteria. Rub a slice of garlic over a pimple and see if that helps clear things up. Since garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, it could be helpful for any kind of breakouts or rashes on your skin.

4. Squash

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Butternut squash has a high amount of Vitamin C, which helps to build up and maintain your collagen, which could lead to brighter skin. Acorn squash is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and beta-carotene, which could assist your body in fighting off signs of skin-aging.

5. Avocado

Clearly, avocados can do no wrong. The creamy green fruit is a great source of antioxidants like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein. These compounds can help to protect your skin from environmental damage that might cause wrinkles and other signs of aging. Avocados also have Vitamin E, which could step up your skin’s luminosity game.

6. Fatty Fish

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Certain types of fish — mackerel, trout, herring, bluefin tuna, salmon, sardines — have the good fats called omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats can help to keep your skin looking nourished and reduce inflammation. The natural oils from the fish will keep your skin moisturized and potentially make your skin less sensitive to UV rays.

7. Sweet Potatoes

Your sweet potatoes have beta-carotene which helps to convert Vitamin A in order to produce new skin cells. New skin cells replace the old skin cells and you could end up with a brighter complexion. Research shows that beta-carotene makes your skin more flexible and reduces sun-related wrinkles.

You might already have some of these foods incorporated into your diet, but if not, it can’t hurt you to load up antioxidants. Give your complexion a boost.