This article has been updated since its initial 09/13/22 publish date to include more expert insight.
There’s nothing wrong with wrinkles — and aging is an absolutely natural part of life. Your skin will go through a number of changes as you age, and accepting some of those changes is a great way to keep mentally healthy. But you may also be searching for ways to look your best no matter your age, and having healthy, glowing skin is always going to make you look and feel fantastic.
Great skin starts from within, which means getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals into your diet is one of the best ways to boost your complexion. And if you’re honing in on specific vitamins, Vitamin C is one you’ll want to spotlight. Vitamin C helps stimulate your body’s natural collagen production — and collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping your skin look firmer and smoother. “Vitamin C is found in many foods, but one can get it in abundance specifically from certain fruits and vegetables,” says Dr. Madathupalayam Madhankumar of iCliniq. “It is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as an antioxidant, helps in collagen production, promotes skin health, boosts immunity, and many more.”
In addition to creating a smart skincare routine that includes topical Vitamin C, as well as retinol and moisturizing hyaluronic acid, here are five vitamin C-rich foods that boost collagen and can help lessen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Best Vitamin C-Rich Foods
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe isn’t just a Vitamin-packed powerhouse — it’s actually said to have almost the entire daily recommended dose of vitamin C in it. “Consuming cantaloupe can boost immune health, increase collagen production, and it also has antioxidant properties,” says Dr. Madhankumar. “It helps in achieving healthy and radiant skin.”
Kiwi
Another excellent source of vitamin C, kiwi is said to stimulate one’s immune responses to infection and is amazingly rich in antioxidants, according to Dr. Madhankumar. “It also aids in weight loss, regulates blood sugar levels, boosts collagen, and promotes eye health,” Dr. Madhankumar says. “Kiwi is a fantastic fruit for one's skin health as it prevents skin degeneration, tightens and moisturizes the skin, helps remove acne, reduces pores, and prevents premature skin aging.”
Guava
“Guavas are a rich source of vitamin C,” says Dr. Madhankumar. “Consuming one fruit of guava provides double the daily recommended vitamin C dose, as per research. It boosts immunity, has antioxidant properties, and is a great fiber source. Guava helps with skin regeneration, improves skin tone, and has anti-aging properties.”
Oranges
Oranges and other citrus fruits are synonymous with vitamin C — and for good reason. “It helps fight cell damage, aids collagen production, fights anemia, and boosts the body's defense mechanism,” says Dr. Madhankumar. “Oranges can prevent acne, slow skin aging, help with clogged pores, and provide richness to the skin.”
Bell Peppers
Good news if you’re more a veggie person that a fruit person: bell peppers, also called capsicum, are loaded with vitamin C. “The yellow and red colored bell peppers carry more vitamin C in them when compared to the green colored ones,” says Dr. Madhankumar. “They help easy iron absorption in the body and aid in faster wound healing. They carry this unique skin care property of limiting the occurrence of wrinkles and pigmentations.”
The next time you take a trip to Sephora, Ulta, or your local drug store to stock up on skincare goodies don’t forget to also make a pit stop at the grocery store, where some of the most delicious picks in the produce aisle also pack a powerful skin-benefitting punch.
