Being focused on getting my aging skin look beautiful, I got to the point where buying expensive skincare products cramped both my style and my budget. And, to make matters worse, when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see any difference.
Yes, our skin is our biggest organ, and because of that, it kind of makes sense to think we need to cover it with all sorts of creams and lotions to look our best.
When I started working as a wellness professional, however, I soon understood that what we put into our bodies has just as much of an impact (if not more) as what we put on them. If your gut is inflamed, full of bacteria, or has other issues, you can tell from the condition of your skin.
So what food helps make healthy vibrant skin? What can you be adding to your diet today to nourish your skin and catapult your health?
Apple Cider Vinegar
I love apple cider vinegar for so many reasons, but make sure you dilute it before you drink it. Vinegar is like an acid to your body so take measures that you don’t drink it straight! Add one tablespoon (at most two) of vinegar to a tall glass of water.
There are many benefits to apple cider vinegar, including better digestion and more energy efficient muscles, but it’s a miracle for your skin health as well.
No matter what age you are, hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your complexion, and apple cider vinegar is an excellent antidote for acne, rashes, and dry skin.
Additionally, it will help restore your gut balance by cultivating the trillions of microscopic organisms living in your microbiome. Made with good bacteria and yeast, vinegar is fermented until it turns into acetic acid.
Without getting too far into the weeds, this is a beautiful thing to add to your diet and has many medicinal effects. And, if you can’t tolerate the taste, you can always use it as an astringent. It’s incredible at killing bacteria, removes dead skin and opens the pores.
Bone Broth
‘Tis the season for warm drinks if you live in the Northern Hemisphere and a perfect time to indulge in bone broth if you’ve never tried it before. The type of protein that’s in bone broth can rebuild elastin and other structures in your skin. It keeps you and your skin healthy!
Bone broth is loaded with gelatin and collagen, which helps skin stay stronger – longer. Another benefit is that because of the increased collagen production, bone broth helps smooth out fine lines, and deep wrinkles will become less prominent.
By regularly drinking bone broth, you’ll be giving your skin the nourishment it needs that those beauty products don’t offer. If you’d like to try making bone broth at home, simply click here for a recipe.
Avocado
OK, let’s face it, avocado is a fantastic fruit. Do you honestly need another reason to eat it?
Avocado is rich in skin vitamins like A, C, E, and K. Vitamin K is a potent antioxidant and is fat-soluble. It also protects against damage to the outside lining of every cell in your body. Most other fruits don’t contain vitamin E which also makes avocados unique.
Avocados provide a wealth of benefits for your skin, especially if you eat them regularly. In addition to all the vitamins listed above, a single serving is packed with antioxidants, folate, and other B vitamins. You can’t go wrong eating this perfect green fruit!
Walnuts
Walnuts are an incredible source of essential fatty acids. They have more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than most other nuts. Omega-3 is hard to get in our standard American diet, but they are important because they fight the inflammatory effect of omega-6.
If that’s not a good enough reason to add walnuts to your diet, then you should consider all the zinc they have which is necessary for our skin to work as a barrier, heal wounds, and fight inflammation and infection.
And, if you still need convincing to go out and buy a bag, walnuts also provide you with antioxidants, as well as vitamin E, C, and selenium. Oh, did I mention they have protein too?
Green Tea
Green tea has a ton of anti-aging benefits for your skin. It also protects your skin from sun damage because of powerful compounds called catechins. Catechins are potent antioxidants that also improve the hydration of your skin and reduce redness.
Green tea also improves skin moisture, thickness, and roughness and increases skin elasticity. It has a super-potent antioxidant that reactivates dying skin cells and has anti-aging benefits that can delay signs of aging! It’s pretty powerful!
The antioxidants and polyphenols found in green tea are some of the most influential on earth to protect the skin from environmental damage.
The Bottom Line About Healthy Skin
What you eat will have a significant impact on your health, and your skin is often a window into how your health is functioning. Make sure you are eating foods that will not only improve your gut but will also keep your skin healthy, attractive, and vibrant.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What difference do you notice on your health when you eat clean and healthy foods? I’d love to hear your thoughts about nourishing your skin from the inside out.
Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult with your doctor to get specific medical advice for your situation.
