Eat for Your Skin

You may never have washboard abs, rippling muscles, or a full head of hair (again), but you can get radiant, supple, glowing skin – and it won't take two hours a day in the gym or a time machine. 

Just eat the right foods for healthy-looking skin – these foods – and no one will ever guess that your insides are falling apart.

Better than a facial, is an avocado. If this South American fruit (yes, it's actually a berry) wasn't already on our Desert Island List for guacamole dip, we would still owe it a debt for being such a tasty source of healthy fats and vitamin E. The former keeps your skin supple, and the latter is an important antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative damage.

You just knew that green tea would be on the list, because it seems this ancient concoction makes it onto every one of or healthy food lists. In fact, the potent flavanols contained in green tea, called catechins, are boons to your skin in multiple ways. They protect it against sun damage, and improve its moisture, elasticity and thickness.

Seeds and nuts are vital for healthy-looking skin, yet Americans don't get nearly enough of these in their diet. Sunflower seeds, for example, are a strong source of linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fat that your skin needs to stay thick, flexible and moisturized. Nuts are rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and walnuts are richer than most others. These fatty acids are crucial in maintaining the health of your skin.

The omega-3 fatty acid royalty, of course, are fatty fish. Studies have concluded that fish oil supplements may help fight inflammatory and autoimmune conditions affecting the skin, such as lupus and psoriasis. Fish is also a great source of the skin antioxidant vitamin E, and zinc, which regulates inflammation, the production of new skin cells and overall skin health.

Be sure to put some yellow and red bell peppers into your salad if you want your skin to looks its best. They are big sources of beta-carotene, a natural sun screen that may help prevent sunburn, cell death and the resulting effects of dry, wrinkled skin. And while it keeps you from getting burned, it has the added bonus of infusing your skin with a warm glow and imparting a healthier looking patina on your face.