Top Foods & Diet for Radiant Skin & Hair
When it comes to helping your skin look its best, there’s more that you can do than just use amazing skincare products (although that certainly helps)!
Is there a best diet for healthy skin? Well, not in the way that you’d normally think of a diet! The best diet for your skin involves eating the right nutrients found in fresh fruit, vegetables, proteins and legumes that support optimal skin health.
You don’t need to go on an avoidant, nutritionally-limiting diet for beautiful skin and hair - in fact, eating the right way to support a healthy glow involves eating healthy, whole foods that contain exactly what your skin needs!
When it comes down to it, the molecules in food that tend to help us the most are antioxidants, fatty acids, and the right types of proteins - this includes collagen, by the way! Read on to find out which nutrients you need to create the best diet for your skin.
What’s In the Best Foods for Healthy Skin?
The great thing about the ideal diet for beautiful skin and hair is that there are so many foods out there that truly benefit your skin. You don’t have to look hard to find the right food that’ll deliver essential nutrients to your skin, fortifying it from the inside out for a natural glow. Three of the most important things that you can include in your diet plan for glowing skin are:
- Fatty Acids
- Antioxidants
- Collagen
Antioxidants
Any diet for healthy skin includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables - for good reason. Eating your greens and a variety of fresh fruit makes sure that you get a wide range of antioxidants from different sources - the most common being Vitamin C in citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, strawberries, and more.
The best diet for your skin includes antioxidants from more than one source - while Vitamin C is amazing for skin inside and out, it’s important to look to other antioxidants such as Beta Carotene and Lycopene. These lend bright orange and red vegetables their rich colours and can be found in sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and papaya. A general rule of thumb is that the more brightly coloured a vegetable or fruit is, the more beta-carotene is present!
The major benefit of eating antioxidant-rich foods for healthy skin is they help to reduce the effects of wrinkle-causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can show up on the skin as premature fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss and hyperpigmentation. By ensuring you’re including plenty of natural antioxidants in your diet plan for glowing skin, your skin will glow from the inside out!
L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Serum
Antioxidants work great on your skin too - this Vitamin C-powered serum from L’Occitane works hard to nourish skin and ward off the signs of ageing.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids, aka good fats, have an essential role in a diet for healthy skin. The kind you’ll want to incorporate into your list of foods for healthy skin are called Omega-3 fatty acids and can be found in a huge variety of food sources - both plant and animal-based - so there’s no reason why your skin needs to miss out on this fantastic nutrient for your skin.
Studies have found that one of the most noticeable ways Omega-3s benefit skin is by supporting your skin’s moisture barrier. By having enough Omega-3s, your skin can strengthen itself better against external stressors, leading to less irritation and more glow.
Another reason why Omega-3s are essential in a diet for beautiful skin and hair is through their ability to reduce inflammation - whether it’s caused by eczema or acne, studies found Omega-3s were able to relieve inflammation and discomfort associated with both for skin that was smoother and healthier from within.
Sources of Omega-3s include fish - not just oily fish, either! - as well as flaxseeds, avocados, chia seeds, and walnuts.
Omorovicza Miracle Facial Oil
Fatty acids in natural plant oils benefit your skin from the outside, too - the Omorovicza Miracle Facial Oil is packed with naturally derived fatty acids that moisturise and balance skin.
Collagen
No diet for beautiful skin and hair is complete without collagen - whether you use a collagen supplement or eat collagen-rich foods, this is one protein that you can’t miss out on when it comes to making your skin look the best it can!
Studies have found that compared to the placebo study group, participants who supplemented or consumed collagen almost always had more elastic skin, firmer skin, and skin that was more hydrated in comparison.
Most proteins are natural sources of collagen, however, to ensure that you’re getting the right amount every day - just like skincare, consistency is key - a collagen supplement might be the better option as part of a diet plan for glowing skin.
Sisley Night Cream with Collagen & Woodmallow
Collagen makes an excellent moisturiser, locking in essential hydration for softer skin overnight in this formula from Sisley.
Tips for Sticking to a Diet for Healthy Skin
The best diet plan for glowing skin isn’t restrictive - it’s just committing to eating more of the foods that nourish your hair and skin from within. Making sure that you’re getting enough protein, Omega-3s, and antioxidants will go a long way to making sure that you’re helping your skin from the inside out as best you can.
Drinking plenty of water may help, too - by ensuring that your body is processing everything properly makes sure your body is making use of every microgram of nutrients for radiant skin. Eating well for healthy skin also makes sure that your skincare routine reaches its full potential and helps you on the way to getting your beauty affairs in order and reaching your skin goals!
Or, if you’re still trying to put together a skincare routine, try our skin analysis - you’ll get either a routine tailored just to your skin type or our best recommendations to help you reach your skin goals!
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