We’re all looking for clearer, brighter, and healthier skin. The skin is the body’s ultimate indicator of health and well being. A big part of it is taking care of your skin is having a good routine with the right skin care products. But did you know that nutrition and the foods you eat are just as important for maintaining an even complexion? Try these five fantastic foods for healthy skin. I’ve also provided a few no non-sense skin care tips that can alleviate skin care problems like dullness, dryness, and blemishes.

5 Foods for Healthy Skin

I’m not here to give you a list of foods and supplements you’ve already heard about. You already know that a diet high in fruits and veggies is good for your skin. Try these five unconventional foods for healthy skin and a luminous glow.

Fresh Carrot Juice– Vitamin A is one of the best foods for healthy skin. Okay, technically this is a drink. But fresh carrot juice is loaded with beta carotene, a very powerful antioxidant that speeds up cell turnover rate. Do you seek out retinols in the skin care products you buy? Retinols are actually a form of Vitamin A and dermatologists discovered in the 80’s that they’re really good at preventing wrinkles and premature aging. I personally recommend drinking fresh, organic carrot juice if you have the time and budget. You’ll get more Vitamin A and it will be absorbed into your body at a much faster rate than munching on baby carrots all day.

Vitamin A is one of the best foods for healthy skin. Okay, technically this is a drink. But fresh carrot juice is loaded with beta carotene, a very powerful antioxidant that speeds up cell turnover rate. Do you seek out retinols in the skin care products you buy? Retinols are actually a form of Vitamin A and dermatologists discovered in the 80’s that they’re really good at preventing wrinkles and premature aging. I personally recommend drinking fresh, organic carrot juice if you have the time and budget. You’ll get more Vitamin A and it will be absorbed into your body at a much faster rate than munching on baby carrots all day. Raw Pumpkin Seeds– These little suckers are full of selenium, a powerful trace mineral responsible for skin elasticity. If you want to prevent fine lines and sagging, throw pumpkin seeds into green smoothies, on top of salads, or mix in with other nuts and seeds for a healthy trail mix. Why raw? Because the heat from roasting and seasoning destroys a lot of the healthy selenium. Stick to raw pumpkin seeds to reap the full benefits.

These little suckers are full of selenium, a powerful trace mineral responsible for skin elasticity. If you want to prevent fine lines and sagging, throw pumpkin seeds into green smoothies, on top of salads, or mix in with other nuts and seeds for a healthy trail mix. Why raw? Because the heat from roasting and seasoning destroys a lot of the healthy selenium. Stick to raw pumpkin seeds to reap the full benefits. Goji Berries– If you keep up with my blog, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with goji berries. With more than 10 times the antioxidants of wild blueberries, goji berries are perhaps the most nutrient rich fruit in the berry family. East Asian medicine has been using goji berries for thousands of years as part of their practice. With their high levels of antioxidants, they can certainly help with free radical damage and other signs of premature aging. Try my caffeine-free morning detox drink. The combination of lemon and goji berries will instantly wake you up AND perk up your skin.

If you keep up with my blog, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with goji berries. With more than 10 times the antioxidants of wild blueberries, goji berries are perhaps the most nutrient rich fruit in the berry family. East Asian medicine has been using goji berries for thousands of years as part of their practice. With their high levels of antioxidants, they can certainly help with free radical damage and other signs of premature aging. Try my caffeine-free morning detox drink. The combination of lemon and goji berries will instantly wake you up AND perk up your skin. Aloe Vera Juice– You’ve probably heard of applying aloe vera gel to your skin. But have you considered drinking the juice? Aloe plants are 99% water, making them extremely hydrating and great for plumping up the skin. Many people notice softer and more supple skin when consuming aloe juice regularly. You can find aloe vera juice at most health food stores. I like adding it to my green smoothies in the morning for a hydrating boost. You can even apply aloe juice directly to the skin after cleansing for a natural toner!

You’ve probably heard of applying aloe vera gel to your skin. But have you considered drinking the juice? Aloe plants are 99% water, making them extremely hydrating and great for plumping up the skin. Many people notice softer and more supple skin when consuming aloe juice regularly. You can find aloe vera juice at most health food stores. I like adding it to my green smoothies in the morning for a hydrating boost. You can even apply aloe juice directly to the skin after cleansing for a natural toner! Moringa–Chances are you haven’t heard of this superfood. Moringa is one of the hottest superfoods on the market right now and one of the key foods for healthy skin. You might already be using a beauty product that has moringa in it. It’s super rich in sulfur, a mineral that EVERY (yes, every) cell in the body uses. Adequate sulfur levels in the skin are key for producing two other substances for skin health: collagen and keratin. Fresh moringa leaves might be hard to find at your regular grocery store. That’s why I recommend consuming moringa tea instead which is pretty easy to find.

Other Healthy Skin Care Tips

As mentioned, it’s not about just what you eat. Sure, what you eat plays a big role. But there are also some other things you can do to take care of your skin. I worked at a makeup counter for years, and noticed that often, a solid skincare routine definitely helps.

Drink Water– You’ve heard it before, but let’s hear it again. Drinking water is essential for hydrating your body and your skin. When dehydrated, the body can’t function efficiently. Even worse, it holds on to every drop of water it can get, leading to tired, sagging, and puffy looking skin. Drink water whenever you have a chance!

You’ve heard it before, but let’s hear it again. Drinking water is essential for hydrating your body and your skin. When dehydrated, the body can’t function efficiently. Even worse, it holds on to every drop of water it can get, leading to tired, sagging, and puffy looking skin. Drink water whenever you have a chance! Exfoliate– Dead skin cells are one of the leading causes of dry, flaky, and dull looking skin. Dead skin cells can also clog the pores, causing acne and breakouts. Exfoliate 1-3 times a week to slough off dead skin and reveal a youthful glow.

Dead skin cells are one of the leading causes of dry, flaky, and dull looking skin. Dead skin cells can also clog the pores, causing acne and breakouts. Exfoliate 1-3 times a week to slough off dead skin and reveal a youthful glow. Have an AM and PM routine–Certain products and procedures work better at certain times of day. In general, mornings are a great time to protect your skin from the day’s stressors like sun damage, free radicals, and pollution. Evenings are a great time to apply comprehensive treatment to the skin while it repairs and rejuvenates. I recommend having specific moisturizers and products that you use in the morning and certain products for the evening for maximum results.

There’s no need to pay for fancy or expensive skin care procedures. Let your beauty radiate from the inside out with these foods for healthy skin. What are some of your natural beauty remedies?

Photo Credit: sunshinecity of Flickr