Best Foods For Healthy, Clear, Glowing Skin

Many foods help to keep skin clean and bright. Foods rich in powerful antioxidants and nutrients target skin problems like acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and other skin problems at the cellular level. In fact, they can give better results than most topical skincare products. Below is a list of foods for healthy, clear, glowing skin. Consume them to reduce inflammation, repair oxidative damage, increase cell turnover and promote collagen synthesis. Swipe up!

Turmeric

Turmeric, a root that has a yellow, pulpy flavor, is commonly used as a condiment. Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. There is increasing scientific evidence that turmeric, whether used or applied topically, can help treat psoriasis, skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, skin infections and skin aging.

Consume ½ inch washed and peeled turmeric in the morning. Chew thoroughly and rinse your throat with water. You can also add ground turmeric to a glass of milk before bed (avoid milk if you have hormonal acne). You can even apply a turmeric paste to your skin (mix with Fuller’s earth, flour, aloe vera, etc.) to visibly reduce pigmentation, acne and scarring.

Tomato

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid that acts as an antioxidant and also gives tomatoes an attractive red color. Lycopene helps to remove harmful oxygen radicals that cause a toxic buildup that leads to rashes, acne and skin aging. Scientists at the National School of Health Sciences (NHS), tested to see if tomato powder could protect human skin from erythema caused by UV radiation. It was found that tomato powder can actually protect your skin against the harmful effects of light.

Include tomatoes in curries, salads, grilled vegetables, etc. You can drink tomato juice. Use tomato juice (mixed with flour) as a mask.

NOTE: Avoid applying tomato juice to your face if you have sensitive skin.

Carrot

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid that gives carrots their red or orange color. Beta-carotene has antioxidant properties, preventing cell damage and DNA. However, you must avoid eating too many carrots as it can cause discoloration.

Add carrots to your stews, bake carrot cakes, add it to your stir-fry vegetables or salads, drink carrot juice or a smoothie to get the best carrot benefits for your skin.

Papaya

Sweet and delicious, papaya contains the enzymes papain and chymopapain, vitamins A, C, B and fiber. Fruit improves bowel movement and digestion, while also regulating blood pressure. This can help you get youthful and infection-free skin as better digestion means you’ll clear out toxins that can prevent acne and pigmentation. Papaya’s antibacterial activity is also found to help treat burns in children.

Eat a mixture of ripe and unripe papaya. Boil unripe papaya or make raw papaya salad. Eat a ripe papaya or add it to a smoothie. You can also apply papaya meat to your skin every other day for smooth, glowing skin.

Neem Leaves

Neem is an Ayurvedic drug used to treat a number of diseases and disorders. The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, seeds and oils of this tropical plant have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties. Neem oil is a promising tool for treating scleroderma skin ulcers and neem extract helps reduce acne. It could also be a potential treatment for cancer.

You can consume the top leaves of the neem plant. Wash them well and mix them to make a paste. Consume ¼ teaspoon of this mixture first thing in the morning. You can mix it with honey to cut out the bitterness. Add it to smoothies. You can also boil the washed neem leaves and prepare the extract. Apply this extract to your skin or use it in a bath.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts such as almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and flaxseeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. While PUFA helps reduce inflammation, fiber helps the digestive system to function properly by improving gut microflora. With reduced inflammation and good intestinal function, skin problems like acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, etc. can be prevented.

Eat mixed nuts and seeds every day. You can soak them in water overnight and use them the same or add them to smoothies and salads. Applying almond powder to the skin also helps to reduce dryness and makes the skin soft and radiant.