6 Essential Foods Which Are
Skincare Superheroes

Clear, healthy skin is the foundation of your beauty routine, and while creams and lotions can do a lot to keep your complexion clear, your diet is key to giving your skin the underlying strength it needs to look great. Here are six essential superfoods which your skin will thank you for eating.

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are one of the best dietary sources of zinc, a mineral that's closely linked with healing. People with low zinc levels are more prone to skin blemishes, including acne and pimples, and can also see variations in skin tone across their face. Kidney beans make a delicious and effective way to keep zinc at a naturally high level.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a major part of the longevity-boosting Mediterranean diet, and its many benefits also extend toward skin health. When it's used in cooking, the antioxidants it contains can reduce inflammation, irritation, and puffiness, while also providing the omega-3 acids which help keep skin supple and moisturized.

However, olive oil can also be used topically, massaged into dry or flaky skin for rapid re-moisturizing protection.

Whether you use olive in food or as an external moisturizer, always choose a high-quality extra virgin oil rather than a processed regular olive oil, as it will have a greater concentration of essential active compounds.

Avocado

Avocados are another source of healthy oils which help keep your skin supple and moisturized. However, this popular stone fruit is also rich in vitamins A and E, which can help protect your skin against UV rays, pollution, and other environmental challenges.

Leafy Greens

Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens are high in a compound called lutein. This substance is a carotenoid and an antioxidant, and helps skin withstand sunlight exposure without turning dry and leathery.

What's more, leafy greens help to protect your skin's collagen from damage, keeping your complexion smooth and supple. Although all kinds of leafy greens are excellent foods for your complexion, the darker the color, the greater the potential benefits.

Soy Beans

Soy beans are one of the best non-animal sources of protein, providing strong cellular foundations to give your skin a smoother and clearer texture. They're also rich in isoflavones, compounds which are linked to wrinkle-free suppleness in later years.

Yogurt

Lastly, yogurt is another great source of protein, providing the amino acid building blocks that a healthy skin relies on. It's also packed with beneficial bacteria which can help keep your skin smooth and glowing.

The beauty salon shelves are laden with products that promise a clearer complexion, but if you eat more of these six skin care superhero foods, you'll be providing a strong foundation of healthy skin to build your beauty routine on.