Clear, beautiful skin is something we all lust after, but achieving it may be easier than you think!

 

We treat our skin on the outside with products promising to deliver incredible results, but unfortunately, many commercial products available today offer only temporary benefits with long-term risks due to all the chemicals and fillers added in.

 

Instead of trying to treat your skin primarily from the outside, why not treat it from the inside out?

 

Everything we eat affects our skin. If your diet consists mainly of fried, fatty or processed foods, it’s very likely that your skin will not be at its best. However, if you feed your body only fresh wholesome fruits, vegetables and clean, natural foods, your skin will reward you. Eating a clean diet will keep your body healthy and functioning optimally, and this will reflect in a clear, glowing and beautiful complexion!

Read on to find out some superstar superfoods that we truly dub our top beauty foods!

 

🔵 Blueberries 🔵

This is one small berry that packs a big nutritional punch! Blueberries are a favorite thanks to their juicy sweetness and can be used in anything from a salad to a decadent dessert.

 

Their deep blue hue is the result of compounds called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants that nourish your cells and fight free radicals, helping to protect your body against disease.

 

These anthocyanins that protect you against disease also protect your skin against harmful free radicals that can damage the collagen in your skin. Collagen is a structural protein that is absolutely essential for keeping your skin plump, taut and youthful.

Blueberries are also jam-packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C protects against free radicals, promotes the formation of collagen and keeps the skin healthy and bright.

 

Last, but not least, eating blueberries increases circulation to the surface of your skin, instantly revitalizing a dull complexion and making your skin glow. Just a cup a day a day is necessary to reap all these skin-loving benefits!

🌰 Chia Seeds 🌰

Big things really do come in small packages, as is the case with these tiny seeds. They absorb up to ten times their weight in water, meaning they will keep you full for longer. They also provide serious energy, and were a staple in the diet of Mayans and Aztecs, making chia an ancient superfood. The Mayans would drink the seeds in a glass of water to increase their stamina and energy before long journeys. This is how chia earned its name, from the Mayan word for “strength.”

What makes chia one of our favorite beauty foods is its high concentration of omega 3s, a healthy fat that is excellent for reducing inflammation. Skin conditions such as acne cause redness and inflammation of the skin. Omega 3s will help to control and reduce this inflammation, prevent breakouts and give your skin a healthy glow.

 

Add 1-2 tablespoons to a smoothie or indulge in a delicious chia pudding!

 

🌱 Spinach 🌱

 

Kale may be getting all the attention at the moment, but let’s not forget about this incredible leafy green! Spinach is an anti-aging dream thanks to antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.

These antioxidants keep the skin youthful by fighting off free radicals that attack the collagen in the skin leaving it vulnerable to fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C and E work together to repair and prevent damage, and promote a brighter, more glowing complexion.

 

Beta-carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A in the body, protects the skin against UV damage. Vitamin A also increases circulation to the surface of the skin, prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin, and increases hydration in and around skin cells.

 

Enjoy a spinach salad, add some to an omelette or throw some leaves in a smoothie! You won’t even know it’s there!

🍫 Dark Chocolate 🍫
 

We wanted to end our list on a really good note, and we think chocolate will do the trick! Yes, that’s right, you can enjoy chocolate without the guilt! As long as it’s dark, at least 70%, and you don’t have it every day.

 

Dark chocolate is super rich in flavanols, a group of antioxidants, that offer some excellent benefits for the skin. Flavanols protect the skin against UV damage, and may even help to repair any damage that’s already been done. It also increases hydration, the key to youthful skin.

 

We have more good news! Munching on dark chocolate also decreases stress, by decreasing stress hormones. Stress is the skin’s enemy as it causes a breakdown in collagen, which means a higher risk of wrinkles.

 

All you need is 2-3 ounces a week. Get creative and try a dark chocolate fondue with some of your favorite fruits for dipping.

These are a few of our favorite foods for a beautiful skin. Any food that nourishes your body, will automatically nourish and protect your skin too. Let us know some of your favorites in the comments below!