If the saying ‘you are what you eat’ holds true, you may as well stock up on these dermatologist-approved foods that’ll improve your skin.
When you’re seeing constant blemishes or rash-like patches of pimples, it’s time to step your diet game. These four foods will help you look 10 years younger:
Salmon
Salmon’s antioxidant-rich makeup reduce inflammation, explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
“The free fatty acids serve as building blocks for healthy skin cells.”
What does this mean? Dr. Leslie Baumann, certified board dermatologist and Founder of Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute adds: “Since our bodies don’t have the ability to produce the fatty acids, [eating them] helps reinforce your skin’s barrier, and keeps moisture in and irritants out.”
Watermelon
“Though it may sound counterintuitive, the high concentration of water in watermelon can actually reduce the water retention that leads to puffiness around the eyes,” says Baumann. “And because watermelon is low in sugar—well, compared to many other fruits—you don’t have to worry about glycation, the chemical reaction that compromises collagen and leads to lines and wrinkles.”
Carrots
“This vegetable is orange thanks to high levels of beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A…which also happens to be a form of the main active ingredient in Retin-A,” says Baumann. “This vitamin has been found to decrease the skin’s oil production, and there’s also some evidence that it can improve psoriasis.”
Related: This is How Sugar Affects Your Skin
Olive Oil
“About 75 percent of the fat in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids, which may play a role in the youth boost,” explains Marie Jhin, M.D., certified board dermatologist and author of Asian Beauty Secrets. “The antioxidant polyphenols in olive oil could also quench damaging free radicals.”
Photo Credit: Jacek Chabraszewski/Shutterstock.com; Carol Mellema/Shutterstock.com
