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A Board-Certified Dermatologist Shares 4 Science-Backed ‘Must-Have’ Foods For ‘Younger, Healthier Skin’ After 50—#4 Is A Dessert!

February 24, 2025 by Lisa Cupido

 
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Healthy, glowing, and youthful-looking skin doesn’t come from a bottle — it starts with a balanced diet full of nourishing vitamins and minerals. Dermatologist Dr. Youn is no stranger to the best procedures and skincare products on the market, but that didn’t keep him from making a video that reveals four science-backed “must-have” foods for “younger and healthier skin” after 50:

The best part is all of these foods are a delight to eat (you won’t feel like you’re suffering for great skin). The fourth food is even a decadent dessert, and it doesn’t get much better than that.

The next time you are thinking of ways to achieve your skin goals, look beyond cleansers, serums, and moisturizers and consider your grocery aisle, as well. These four foods are excellent for youthful-looking skin.

1. Healthy Protein

Healthy proteins found in foods like fish, chicken, and beans can help bridge the collagen gap that begins occurring when we start to lose collagen in our skin. The protein in these foods helps create new and healthy collagen and it’s this collagen that gives structure and smoothness to your skin, helping to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

2. Fermented Foods


Fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso, and kimchi are rich in probiotics that can “help to support to microbiome in your gut.” Because there is a strong connection between a healthy gut and healthy, clear skin, it’s a really good idea to fill your diet with gut-healthy foods.

3. Reduce Sugary Drinks


We all know we should be drinking more water for hydration and to clear out toxins in our system. At the same time you are increasing your water intake, it’s important to decrease the number of sugary drinks you consume. “Sugar is the great ager of our skin through a process called glycation,” Dr. Youn says. Sugar actually bonds to the collagen in your skin, causing it to break down.

4. Dark Chocolate


Dark chocolate contains an abundance of good-for-your-skin antioxidants and polyphenols. But, as we already know, sugar is damaging to collagen, so the key is to choose chocolate with a 70 to 80 percent cacao content. This creates a more bitter chocolate taste, it’s true, but you may be surprised at how quickly you get accustomed to a less sugary, still decadent chocolate treat.

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