The foods and beverages you consume can make your skin healthier or they can make your skin look worse. Here’s what you should know about the connection between your diet and your skin:

Nutrients To Include In Your Diet

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important to your overall health and the health of your skin. Because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it fights free radicals that can damage your skin cells.

Oranges, strawberries, kale, spinach, pineapples, and kiwi are all good sources of vitamin C.

Beta-Carotene: Beta carotene is another antioxidant that fights toxins in your body. Beta-carotene can also be converted to vitamin A, which helps to repair your skin cells and prevent damage from UV radiation.

Sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, and squash are all good sources of beta-carotene.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E can also help protect your skin from UV radiation. Vitamin E also keeps the membranes of your skin cells healthy so that they can retain moisture.

Almonds, broccoli, spinach, kale, and sunflower seeds are all good sources of Vitamin E.

Things To Avoid
While some foods can help your skin stay healthy, others can cause harm. The biggest culprits are simple carbohydrates, sugars, and foods with a high glycemic index. These foods can all cause blood sugar spikes that lead to inflammation throughout skin.

These unhealthy foods can also contribute to the deterioration of collagen. Collagen is an important protein in your body that helps to keep your skin firm and young. If you consume unhealthy foods and beverages (especially ones with lots of sugar) collagen can be depleted and your skin becomes thinner and more fragile. With less collagen, fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent and your skin may become looser.

Keep your skin, and the rest of your body healthy and beautiful by eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients. It is also important to drink plenty of water each day. Drinking water helps keep your skin clear and helps you avoid other beverages that are less healthy.

To learn more about taking care of your skin and looking your best, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosenthal.