The amount of time and money you spend on your skincare routine is only as good as the food you eat. It’s true: even if all of your creams and serums are dermatologist-approved and you make your monthly facial appointments and yearly laser appointments and whatever else you find helpful to keep your skin glowing, the foods and drinks you consume matter greatly (possibly even more).
It’s encouraging to know that some of the best superfoods out there are also absolutely delicious and easy to incorporate into your current daily meal plan.
These 11 superfoods can “make you look 10 years younger” and “do wonders” for anti-aging. Bonus: you won’t mind eating them one bit.
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, which protects your skin against the sun’s harmful and skin-damaging UV rays. They help neutralize cell-damaging free radicals and contain high amounts of vitamin C, a nutrient that helps form new collagen in the skin.
2. Kiwi
Not only is kiwi a food sometimes used as a topical exfoliant to break down dry skin cells, but it’s an amazing one to add to cottage cheese, nuts, or enjoy alone thanks to its intensely hydrating qualities, vitamin C content (more than an orange), and antioxidant benefits. Kiwi also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm skin redness, acne, and eczema.
3. Salmon
Salmon is packed with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, collagen-supporting amino acids, and the antioxidant astaxanthin, which protects skin against UV light. The versatile food is also great for hydrating the skin. Choose wild salmon over farm-raised salmon when possible.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries are nature’s jewels, chockfull of antioxidants (including anthocyanins) that neutralize free radicals and protect skin cells from damage. Blueberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C.
5. Avocado
Your skin and body need healthy fats to retain moisture — and avocado is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, vitamins C and E, and omega-9 and -3 fatty acids. Spread some on whole grain toast or add to soups and salads.
6. Spinach
With vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin E, and antioxidants flavonoids and phytonutrients, spinach is a powerhouse food that does wonders for your body and skin. If you aren’t a fan of cooking spinach as a side veggie, there are many other ways to enjoy it: add some to your salad, smoothies, soups, omelets, or juice.
7. Walnuts
Most nuts are a treasure for your skin, and walnuts are right up there. This nut contains antioxidant, zinc for skin repair, omega-3s, vitamin C for collagen synthesis, vitamin E for hydration, and more.
8. Green Tea
Green tea is the OG antioxidant-rich beverage that many of us have been told to drink for skin benefits for years now. It contains a powerful antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that fights free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits and protects against UV light damage.
9. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene, and this precursor to vitamin A aids in skin cell turnover, while protecting against skin cell damage from environmental triggers like UV light. Sweet potatoes are also a good course of vitamin C and zinc.
10. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate that contains a cocoa content of 72 percent or higher is an excellent source of the flavonoids epicatechin and catechins that protect against skin cell damage. It has anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce redness in the skin and contains zinc and magnesium, as well.
11. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a super fruit loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C for collagen production, vitamin E, and plenty of water for hydration. You can purchase the seeds already removed from their fruit if the thought of one is intimidating, and they’re excellent in Greek yogurt, salads, fruit salad, and oatmeal.
