(BlackDoctor.org) — Are you a hottie on a budget, who wants a great face without being forced to buy ridiculously expensive products? If so, nature has everything you need to help you be a goddess/god of great, glowing skin. So glow on!!!
Wild Salmon
Foods heavy in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, herring, and trout play a key role in keeping skin smooth. They provide our skin with oils that lubricate and reduce inflammation, which often leads to redness, acne, and scaly skin
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and, when ingested, are converted into vitamin A, a prime factor in keeping skin kissable & soft. Not a potato person? Carrots will do the trick, too.
Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Mangoes
These juicy melons are heavy in carotenoids, which help protect your skin from sunburn. Don’t let fruit be your only protection though, sunscreen still reigns supreme.
Kiwi
Any food with lots of vitamin C, like kiwi, oranges, and grapefruit, are big skin savers. Vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis and protects against wrinkles. In a study done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who had a diet high in vitamin C foods had noticeably less dryness and fewer wrinkles.
Strawberries
This sweet little fruit will make you skin look sweet & delicious as well. A cup of strawberries has up to 130% of the DV of vitamin C, which is an extremely potent antioxidant that boosts production of collagen fibers that help keep skin smooth and firm. Strawberries also have something called ellagic acid which is an antioxidant that protects the elastic fibers that keep skin from sagging.
Apples
An apple a day keeps skin cancer away with Quercetin, an antioxidant contained in the apple peel. The varieties with the most Quercetin are Monroe, Cortland, and Golden Delicious.
Eggs
A little egg on the face is good for you because eggs have two antioxidants, Lutein and zeaxanthin, which quadruple protection against the UV damage. Eggs also make your skin softer, firmer, and better hydrated.
Dark Chocolate
Studies show that enjoying a small piece of dark chocolate will provide high levels of cocoa flavanols, which have been associated with softer, more hydrated skin. Note the word small.
Milk
We all know that milk does a body good, but what it does for your teeth is a whole lot better! Since it’s an excellent source of calcium, it helps support your jawbone, keeps your teeth cavity-free, and promotes the reformation of enamel. If you’re lactose-intolerant, other great calcium-rich foods include collard greens, baked beans, fortified soy milk, even a handful of trail mix!
Broccoli
Broccoli has been proven to keep gums healthy, along with other vitamin C-packed foods like citrus and peppers. This is probably why Mom wouldn’t let us leave the table until we finished our vegetables.
Olive Oil
If you avoid fat for the sake of your waistline, your face could be paying the price. “A lot of young women have dry, flaky skin because they don’t eat enough fat,” says Joy Bauer, a nutritionist in New York City and author of The 90/10 Weight-Loss Plan. If you’re getting fewer than 20 grams of fat a day (roughly 2 tablespoons of oil), your skin may not be able to lubricate itself and your body may not absorb enough vitamin A, which your skin needs to be healthy and vibrant.
Simple food switch: Sprinkle your salad with olive oil and toss in some avocados and nuts. We swear, this won’t have an adverse effect on your jeans size.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a good source of protein and has been found in clinical studies to help stimulate fat metabolism and whittle your waistline. An added bonus, thanks to the biotin found in yogurt, it helps increase nail strength.
Oysters
Flaky scalps are often due to low levels of zinc. If oysters aren’t your thing, try dark-meat chicken, turkey, crab, dairy, or beans as an alternate source of zinc.
Hot Peppers
The compound capsaicin (this is what makes peppers hot) will boost your heart rate and speed your metabolism by 23 percent for an hour and a half after eating a meal with it. Peppers also contain vitamin C, which helps to protect your skin from damage.
Nuts and Seeds
Don’t be afraid to go a little nuts! Snack on some almonds or sunflower seeds — they contain anti-inflammatory and immunity-enhancing nutrients, including vitamin E, one of the most important antioxidants for skin health. A ½ ounce serving of walnuts provides 100% of the recommended daily intake of ALA (Walnuts have lots of alpha-linolenic acid to keep skin moist and supple.
Leafy Greens
Greens like spinach and arugula are stocked with naturally occurring antioxidants. Eat a mouthful to keep your complexion radiant and blemish-free. Free reign with Romaine! Six leaves provide more than 100% of the DV of Vitamin A which gives skin a refreshing boost of nutrients and oxygen by improving circulation.
Follow our advice, and people may need to start wearing shades around you — thanks to your flawless glow!
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