As you may already know, filling your diet with power foods like leafy greens, dark chocolate and citrus can help ward off chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. But did you know that certain foods—specifically fruits, can also do wonders for your skin?
In fact, the foods you consume can be just as important (if not more) than the over-the-counter serums and creams you apply daily. So which fruits will benefit your skin type the most?
For Normal Skin:
- Grapes help protect against UV rays. Containing phytosterols, they also keep the dermis moist and strong.
- Peaches also help protect your skin against UV radiation.
- Cherries brighten skin.
- Raspberries, like grapes, keep skin moist and strong.
- Papayas both brighten and provide many nutrients and hydration to your skin.
For Oily Skin:
- Apricots provides your skin with moisture and doesn’t clog your pores.
- Apples exfoliate skin.
- Oranges like apples, lemons and strawberries, exfoliate skin, while cutting through dirt and oil.
For Dry, Sensitive Skin:
- Coconuts moisturize.
- Mangoes, due to their high omega fat content, provides loads of hydration. They also soften the skin.
- Bananas, olives, and avocados also provide hydration, soften skin and create a barrier that protects the skin from excessive drying.
For Combination Skin:
- Acai packed with moisturizing omega-fatty acids, aids in rejuvenating and rebuilding skin.
- Grapefruit exfoliates, wards off skin cancer and helps build up collagen — the most abundant protein in the human body, responsible for holding us together.
- Pumpkin seed oil helps fight acne.
- Cucumber reduces redness, swelling and dark circles, as well as tightens pores.
- Blueberries combat inflammation, acne, and combats the aging process.
For Overall Healthy Skin Try These Foods:
- Olive oil: A 2012 study in PLOS ONE analyzed the diets of 1264 women. What they discovered is that a higher consumption of olive oil, about 2 teaspoons, was associated with 31% fewer signs of aging compared to those who ate less than about 1 teaspoon.
- Tomatoes: A 2008 study found, that individuals who ate 5 tablespoons of tomato paste daily, along with olive oil for 12 weeks, had 33% more protection from UV radiation and sunburn than those who consumed olive oil alone.
- Green tea makes skin more smooth and elastic, a 2011 study published in the Journal of Nutrition says.
- Coffee reduces the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer (for women) a 2007 study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention
Use this infographic, designed by bestprobioticskincare.com, for a handy cheat sheet.
