Lifestyle & Wellness
You are what you eat. Your skin is influenced not just by what you put on it, but also by the food you eat.
No one likes waking up to a red, inflamed spot. Acne isn’t only a teenage issue — Glamour UK says about 20% of women still struggle with acne in their 20s and 30s, caused by everything from stress to hormonal changes.
If you get frequent breakouts, try pairing your skincare routine with a clear-skin diet. Here are four nutrient-rich foods that help your skin glow from the inside out:
1) Nuts & Seeds
Instead of reaching for salty, greasy chips, try almonds or a mix of seeds. Low levels of minerals like zinc and selenium are often linked to problem skin. Nuts and seeds provide those minerals, plus healthy fats and nutrients like vitamin E, copper, magnesium, calcium, and iron — all important for healthy skin (Glamour UK).
2) Leafy Greens
We include nutrient-rich greens like kale, spinach, and broccoli sprouts in our Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum and Mask for a reason. Kale is packed with vitamins A, B complex, C, E, and K, and has plenty of manganese, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, protein, folate, and phosphorus (Glamour UK). Eat your greens — and wear them too!
3) Sweet Potatoes
Stress can raise cortisone levels from the adrenal glands, upsetting hormones and triggering pimples. Help balance blood sugar and lift your mood by choosing complex carbs like sweet potatoes. They digest slowly, giving a steadier blood sugar release (Glamour UK). Root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots are also rich in vitamin A, which can support skin circulation and oxygenation (Health Alicious).
4) Spices
Add spices to your meals not just for flavor, but for your skin. Spices are full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and nutrients (Everyday Health). “Most of us think of fruits and vegetables as antioxidant sources, but surprisingly, herbs and spices pack the most punch,” says Jessica Crescenzi, founder of Beauty Guru NYC (Forbes). You can even spice up your skincare — try our Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot, which contains paprika.
Do you eat any other foods that help your skin? Tell us in the comments below.