When it comes to skincare, beauty really does come from within. As it turns out, you can eat your way to a glowing, supple complexion if you stick to water-dense foods that will ensure your skin is hydrated and gets all the nutrients it needs.
Most of these foods, which we’ll list below, are also rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, which famously repair the damage caused by free radicals at a cellular level, making them crucial in any anti-aging beauty routine.
Here are the best foods for a flawless complexion:
Bone Broth
Celebrities such as Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian swear by it and often start their day with a serving of bone broth to infuse their skin with collagen.
Known for its skin-changing properties, collagen is the main structural protein in the body (it’s found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons) and has been proven to increase skin elasticity and hydration, leading to a plump, brightened complexion, per a 2014 study published in the Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.
Avocado
Avocados are chockful of healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, making them ideal for skin hydration. Aside from providing moisture from within, they also have anti-aging action.
"According to research, avocado oil is quite healing for dry skin, and it may have more youth-boosting properties than olive oil — and research supports the positioning," states MindBodyGreen, citing a [2018 study] from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Salmon
Its rich content of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids makes salmon a great food for promoting skin health. This fish owes its orange-pink color to a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, which "may help protect your skin from damage, wrinkles, and other signs of aging," per MindBodyGreen.
Broccoli
"Broccoli is loaded with [vitamin] C, which boosts collagen production to soften fine lines and wrinkles," New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein tells Women’s Health magazine.
This cruciferous vegetable is also packed with another powerful antioxidant known as sulforaphane, which "doesn’t just stabilize free radicals the same way consuming vitamin C might — it activates the body’s natural detoxification and antioxidant enzymes," explains registered dietician Molly Knudsen.
Spinach
Spinach boasts a high content of vitamin E and beta-carotene, both of which have potent antioxidant properties. They protect skin cells from free-radical damage, which is responsible for aging signs (such as hyperpigmentation and fine lines) and can also cause cancer.
"Plus, the water in greens penetrates cell membranes — which makes for plumper and less wrinkled skin," says Mirela Mitan, founder of MMXV Infinitude skincare.
Citrus Fruit
It’s no secret that citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C, which boosts collagen production in the body, smoothing fine lines and making your skin look firm and youthful.
“Intake of this vitamin is a key element to improving skin’s overall texture," says Mitan, so make sure you incorporate oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes into your diet.
Pomegranate
Pomegranates are another antioxidant-rich food and owe their anti-aging properties to the potent action of polyphenols — plant compounds with numerous health benefits. According to a study published in 2009 in Nutrition Reviews, pomegranates boast three times as many antioxidants as green tea and red wine, so make sure to put them in your shopping cart.
Blueberries
Blueberries offer a wealth of skin benefits, which include stimulating collagen and fighting premature aging. This superfood is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients, and can help rid the skin of toxins, fight free radicals, and even reduce inflammation associated with acne, per Healthline.
Walnuts
Walnuts combine the benefits of healthy polyunsaturated fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, with the anti-aging and skin-protecting action of antioxidants. They are also loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
"Walnuts offer up healthy omega-3 fats that strengthen the membranes of your skin cells, locking in moisture and nutrients that keep it plump and glowing and keeping out toxins that can damage skin cells," registered dieticians Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh tell Self.
Sweet Potatoes
To reap the benefits of antioxidants, add sweet potatoes to your diet. This versatile veggie is high in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which diminish wrinkles and give your skin a youthful glow, respectively.
Eating around four milligrams of vitamin C every day, or about half a small sweet potato, can reduce wrinkles by 11 percent, showed a 2007 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
