Top 10 Foods for a Perfect, Young-Looking Skin

Rebecca Lewis October 17, 2012

Been using expensive skincare products but not satisfied with the results? Well sometimes, the best way towards a healthy, glowing skin is through your stomach. While most fruits and vegetables are beneficial to your skin, there are a few that score the most.

1. Protect your skin from sunburn with tomatoes

A German study reveals that consumption of tomato paste combined with olive oil for 10 days prevents sunburn. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants such as lycopene and carotenoids that help slow down cellular damage caused by free radicals.

2. Develop a youthful skin with salmon

Worried of wrinkles and fine lines? Eat more of salmon. This delicious and highly nutritious seafood contains astaxanthin – a special type of carotenoids that promote skin elasticity.

3. Keep the moisture and softness of your skin with flaxseeds

Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. But aside from that, these heart-friendly fatty acids also help moisturise the skin, leaving it soft and supple, and making fine lines less obvious. Studies show that regular consumption of omega-three fatty acids helps prevent skin cancer and sun damage. If you are not a lover of fish products, flaxseed is a great source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Eat curry to avoid skin irritation

Turmeric is a very healthy spice that is often found in curry dishes. Recent research reveals that taking curcumin (compound contained in turmeric) supplementation boosts photo protection in the skin and makes it less vulnerable to damage and irritation.

5. Repair damaged skin cells with eggs

Eggs are a complete source of proteins that are essential in maintaining good health. They also contain biotin that brings back the moisture on your skin.

6. Produce more collagen with pomegranate

Collagen is the building block of a beautiful, young-looking skin. When applied externally, the antioxidants contained in pomegranate can greatly boost the production of collagen, leaving your skin beautiful and glowing.

7. Beans and legumes

Legumes are rich sources of protein that is essential in repairing damaged skin cells. During digestion, these proteins break into amino acids, enhancing cell damage repair and regeneration.

8. Probiotics

Sometimes, stress, infection, and bacteria disrupts the normal functioning of the stomach, leading to a range of digestive problems and skin diseases including eczema, acne, psoriasis, and wrinkles. Making sure your tummy is in good condition is one way to keep your skin healthy. Probiotics are good bacteria that help eliminate the bad ones. They are present in yoghurt, kimchi, buttermilk, and some other food products. Probiotics may also be taken in supplement forms.

9. Build more collagen with citrus fruits

Check the label of the most popular skincare products and you’ll see that they all contain vitamin C. It’s because this vitamin helps in the production of collagen. At the age of 35, the collagen in your skin starts to tear apart, making your skin looks saggy, dry and unhealthy. By consuming more foods that are high in vitamin C, you can keep your skin looking flawless for many, many years to come!

10. Prevent premature aging and cell damage with red and green vegetables

Any imbalance in your body will reflect on your skin. So make sure you feed yourself with healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. To maintain a lovely skin, you want to eat more of carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and other dark-coloured and green produce. Red fruits and veggies contain beta-carotene that is converted into vitamin A that prevents premature aging and cell damage. Green, leafy produce are also loaded with vitamin A.