6 Summer Foods That Your Skin Will Love
You are what you eat! When it comes to young, healthy looking skin, this old adage definitely rings true. Good nutrition is an an essential part of smart skincare—nosh on junk food all day and you can undermine even the most well-planned skincare regime.
Snacking on the right foods, however, will help you enjoy smooth, soft and glowing skin in addition to a healthier body and more energy. And with tons of local produce in season, summer is the perfect time to add these skin-loving foods to your weekly menu:
#1: Avocados. Avocados are one of the best foods for healthy skin. They’re packed with Vitamins A, C and E, along with potassium, niacin, Vitamin E and protein. In fact, avocados contain more Vitamin E than any other fruit.
#2: Tomatoes. Home grown or from the roadside stand, tomatoes are a tasty way to help achieve younger looking skin. They’re packed with collagen-building Vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene to help counteract premature aging. Watermelon and pink grapefruit are two other great sources for lycopene.
#3: Blueberries. Blueberries, along with blackberries and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants, which fight free radicals that roam around our system, weakening our cell structures, damaging skin tone, and even accelerating the formation of wrinkles. Start your morning with a delicious berry smoothie.
#4: Cucumbers. This cooling summer treat really does help to fight wrinkles and reduce inflammation. It’s not a myth—placing chilled cucumber slices over your eyelids for 10 to 20 minutes can reduce puffiness under your eyes. Snacking on cucumbers is also a great way to stay hydrated, which helps your body flush out impurities so skin looks brighter.
#5: Yogurt & other dairy. Dairy is an excellent source of Vitamin A, as well as protein, which contributes to firmer skin. The probiotics, or healthy bacteria, in yogurt gives your immune system a boost, which can also translate to better looking skin. Choose low-fat dairy, and watch for added sugars, which can pack unwanted extra calories. Our own PA Dutch Farmers Market of Wyomissing is famous for its array of fresh, locally produced cheeses, goat and cow’s milk, and much more, so pick up your favorites on your next visit.
#6: Almonds & Flaxseed. Okay, so these aren’t technically summer foods, but we had to include them on this list. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, a key nutrient that helps your skin stay silky smooth while offering a mild boost in protection from sun-induced aging (but this does not mean you can skip the sunscreen)! Plus, they’re packed with protein, zinc and calcium. Flaxseed is one of the best plant-based sources for Omega-3 fatty acids, which is essential to keeping skin smooth, moisturized and protected. Ground flaxseed is easier to digest; stir it into smoothies, yogurt or your favorite muffin recipe.
Healthy eating habits are a must for maintaining younger looking skin, but if you have specific issues you want to address, such as acne, age spots, or unwelcome lines & wrinkles, it’s time to see the professionals. Medical skin care treatments like laser resurfacing or a chemical peel can help you get a clearer, more youthful complexion in minimal time.
Give us a call to discuss your options; our aestheticians and dermatology staff will be glad to help you design a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs. But no matter what your method is for achieving healthy skin, once thing is certain—it never hurts to “feed” your face!
