You don’t always have to buy pricey skincare products to help cleanse your skin and offer it a glow. All you need to do is to eat the right foods to help your skin looking healthy again. Always look to see if the foods you’re consuming contain antioxidants as they have many properties that help with skin. Antioxidants help fight cell damage caused by oxidants. You need a balance of antioxidants and oxidants in your body, as too many oxidants can cause heart disease and cancer. Oxidants are naturally made in your body, and can also be a harmful result of alcohol and pollution. However, your body does need a certain level of them as they fight microbes and viruses. From strawberries to sunflower seeds, we’ve curated a few skin-boosting foods to incorporate into your diet right now. 

Fruit

If you want glowing skin, make it a priority to incorporate fruit into your diet. Fruits are filled with antioxidants that will help give you the healthy-looking skin you’ve always wanted. Some antioxidants that are found in fruits are vitamin A, C and E. Blueberries have many health benefits. They have the most antioxidants than any other fruit. The vitamin C in them help make protein for the skin, helps prevent acne and minimize wrinkles. Strawberries also contain vitamin C.  They help prevent the presence of dead skin, because of the alpha-hydroxyl acid in them.

Orange peels are also effective for glowing skin, as they are filled with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, along with vitamin C. These fruit also contain nutrients like potassium and calcium that help hydrate your skin and get rid of dead skin. You can either make an orange mask using honey and yogurt, or buy a mask that contains orange extracts. 

Tomatoes have many health benefits for the skin. They are full of vitamins and minerals. It contains an anti-aging oxidant that helps with having younger-looking skin. The acid from the pulp helps get rid of unwanted pimples and also protects skin from the sun.

Nuts

If you are looking for a healthy snack, add come chia seeds into your salad, or grab a handful of almonds on your way out. Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and chia seeds are great for your skin.  The seeds contain antioxidants like selenium and Vitamin E, which work together to help keep the skin smooth. Sesame seeds help prevent clogged pores, as the zinc in these seeds helps to manage the amount of oil you produce. Chia seeds are great for the skin, because they are full of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 helps prevent pimples and keeps skin moisturized.

Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, and can contribute to strong cell membranes as a result. This is due to the fact that more nutrients are absorbed, while harmful substances are eliminated. You can easily incorporate walnuts into your diet, by adding them to your pasta or salad. This way you reap the benefits of having smoother skin, as strong membranes help your body retain more water.

Almonds are also a great source of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that is great for protecting your skin from the sun and helps keep the skin hydrated. It also helps to reduce acne and fight against skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.

Photo: iStock