Eating right is a fundamental part of maintaining healthy skin.  In many ways your skins health is a reflection of your own personal health.  Following a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can really make a difference in how your skin looks.  Similarly, bad habits like smoking, drinking excessively, and not getting enough sleep can make your skin look dull, old and tired.  Here are some food to add to your diet if you are looking to get glowing skin just in time for summer. 

1. Collard greens 

These greens are high in both vitamin A, and vitamin C – promoting cell renewal and boosting collagen.  Both these things help give that youthful glow back to tired skin.  Collard greens also contain zeaxanthin.  This is an antioxidant that is known to even out the skin tone – even skin means that more light can be reflected off of it, making it look more radiant.

2. Turmeric

This bright Indian spice, part of the ginger family, is known for its anti-inflammatory effects in the body.  The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which gives turmeric its bright yellow color.  Its ability to reduce inflammation helps those who suffer from acne reduce swelling and redness.

3. Romaine Lettuce

Packed with vitamin A that promotes cell renewal, thereby revitalizing skin.  Potassium in these greens improves blood circulation.  The more the blood in the body is moving, the more oxygen and nutrients that cells, including the ones in our skin, are able to get.  This refresher will leave your skin glowing more than before.

4. Wheat germ 

Wheat germ is great for people who suffer from dry skin.  The “germ” is the part of the wheat kernel that serves as the reproductive area of the plant.   The wheat germ contains ceramides, which are fat molecules.  These fat molecules lock in moisture in the skin and help you get that natural glow.

5. Strawberries

These red berries are high in vitamin C, a great antioxidant for beautiful skin.   Vitamin C fights dryness and wrinkles in the skin, while protecting the skin’s natural elasticity.  Maintaining elasticity will keep skin from sagging and looking, well… old. The antioxidant also boosts collagen production which will promote that youthful glow we are all looking for.

6. Tomatoes

The antioxidant lycopene found in tomatoes keeps your skin protected from sunburn.  Sunburn leads to premature aging, wrinkles, and dullness of the skin.  Tomatoes therefore are like nature’s sunblock - think about fighting red with red.  Lycopene also boosts the skin’s collagen according to certain studies, which will help you fight wrinkles and retain that youthful appearance. 

7. Pomegranate

We all know that the pomegranate fruit is an antioxidant powerhouse.  In fact, it is three times more powerful than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries.   Antioxidants combat free-radical damage caused by environmental stress (and the sun) to our bodies.  Countering this day to day oxidative stress, gets our skin looking great from the inside, out.  

8. Oysters

Oysters have tons of nutritional benefits, among them that they are a great source of vitamins and minerals.  They are high in zinc, protein, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin C.  All these play their role in aiding in skin health and luminosity.   Omega 3s in particular plump up the skin’s fat cells, fighting wrinkles and making the skin look younger.  The zinc in oysters on the other hand helps keep skin healthy, clear, and calm with its strong antimicrobial and immunity boosting properties. 

9. Gotu Kola Tea

This herbal tea promotes circulation and the production of collagen.   Boosting these two things will leave your skin brighter and looking more youthful.  As we age, we naturally lose collagen in our skin, which is what gives skin its firmness and elasticity. The aging process leaves our skin thinner, sagging and/or wrinkled.  Boosting the skins collagen production can therefore give back that youthful bounce.  It been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, which should be proof enough to its potential.