There’s nothing more embarrassing than having to deal with facial blemishes. Though many have the misconception that blemishes and acne only happen to teenagers, the fact is that more than 20% of all women in their 20s and 30s suffer from some sort of facial imperfection, including acne. Blemishes, break outs, and acne can be caused by stress, fluctuating hormones, and diet. If you want to improve your skin, here are 15 foods that are known to promote clear skin.
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Kale
Kale is seriously a super vegetable. The leafy green is full of manganese, iron, potassium, protein, folate, phosphorus, and various vitamins including A, B, C, E, and K. With all of these vitamins and minerals together, kale isn’t only good for you, it’s an ideal food for clear skin. Try eating kale chips or boiling it.
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Seeded Red Grapes
Grapes are the perfect snack and they provide plenty of health benefits. When it comes to clear skin, it’s best to eat red grapes with seeds, since the seeds have power antioxidants in them that are able to reduce skin inflammation. These seeds have been used to treat eczema and psoriasis. Eat them by themselves, in a salad, or with cheese!
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Broccoli
Broccoli is another vegetable that is full of all sorts of vitamins and antioxidants including Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Each of these vitamins plays a huge role in keeping your skin glowing and clear. Try steaming broccoli or eating it raw with some dressing or in a salad. Another benefit is that broccoli is extremely low in calories!
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Artichoke
Artichokes aren’t your everyday vegetable, but they have all sorts of vitamins and minerals including fiber and antioxidants. Artichokes have been proven to have more antioxidants than any other vegetable. This veggie aids in digestion but it’s high antioxidant content is perfect for keeping the body free of toxins so that your skin can be clear and luminous. Try eating them boiled or in a dip.
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Brown Rice
Brown rice is a healthy grain to eat when you need fast energy. Instead of eating white rice, whole grain brown rice will leave you feeling fuller for longer. Apart from it’s dietary benefits, brown rice also contains protein, magnesium, antioxidants, and Vitamin B complex, which are all helpful in keeping the skin clear of break outs and blemishes.
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Water
Water is probably the best, most convenient, and cheapest way to achieve clear skin. Water helps your body detoxify by flushing away toxins and other unwanted chemicals within the body. It also keeps the skin hydrated and fresh. Drink as much water as you can each day, and increase your fluid levels on hot days as well as on days that you exercise.
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Avocado
Avocado has become a craze in the food and diet world because of it’s richness in good fats. However, avocado has also gained popularity due to it’s high levels of Vitamin E as well as Vitamin C, both of which can keep the skin looking youthful, bright, and inflammation free. Avocado oil has also been used in order to stimulate collagen production. Eat it raw or in a salad for a tasty and skin-healthy meal.
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Nuts
Nuts not only contain a variety of healthy fats, but they also have zinc and selenium, two minerals that many people are lacking in their diet. A lack of zinc and selenium has been shown to cause acne. Almonds, pumpkin seeds, and Brazil nuts make for the perfect snack during the day and they contain plenty of copper, potassium, iron, and Vitamin E.
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Beets
Beets are used for all sorts of things, including dyes. However, beets are extremely high in Vitamin A and E, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Each of these vitamins and minerals are essential for optimal skin health, especially the health of your epidermis. Eat beets in a salad or even in hummus.
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Acai Berries
Acai berries have become a hit fruit for those looking to lose weight, but did you know these little berries are also great for clear skin? Acai berries are credited for helping get rid of free radicals and toxins in the body due to their high content of antioxidants. Acai can be taken in pill form and it’s also available in juices, if you can’t find fresh berries local to you.
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Peppermint
Peppermint comes in all sorts of forms, including gum, candy, tea, oil, and so on. Peppermint is not only good for freshening your breath and calming the body, it’s also great for your digestive system. A poorly functioning digestive system along with high levels of stress is known to cause break outs. Try drinking peppermint tea or try adding peppermint oil to a recipe to get the full effects that peppermint provides.
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Garlic
Garlic is one of the best spices around since it’s so versatile, but who knew that it was also the perfect ingredient for clear skin? Garlic gloves contain the chemical allicin, which is known to be able to get rid of all sorts of bacteria and viruses that are in the body. Acne and other types of skin problems are typically linked to bacteria in the body. Garlic is amazing in almost anything!
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Legumes
Legumes, including beans, lentils, and peas, are usually praised because of their protein content, an important part of the body’s ability to heal. Legumes also contain fiber and various other vitamins that help with digestion and detoxification. Detoxification is key when it comes to clear skin. Try eating beans on their own or adding them into any meal you eat.
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Watercress
Watercress is a leafy green, similar to lettuce, but it has a peppery taste to it. Watercress leaves contain a lot of potassium, manganese, carotene, and plenty of antioxidants, all of which are good for promoting healthy and clear skin. Try eating watercress in a salad, soup, or in a sauce for pasta and meat.
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Tofu
Tofu is extremely common in vegetarian and vegan diets, but even if you do eat meat, give tofu a shot, since it’s so full of protein. Tofu is full of calcium, healthy fats, iron, and manganese too. Try using it in place of meat in a stir fry or in smoothies, salads, soups, and even in dessert recipes.
