8 Ways To Improve Your Skin From The Inside Out

Healthy, glowing skin starts from the inside and unless your skin is getting the nutrients it needs, then it simply won’t look its best. Good quality skincare can go a long way in tackling your skin concerns, but if you’re regularly suffering with breakouts or stubborn dry patches then you may want to evaluate your diet and think about adding in a few of the foods we’ve listed below:

1. Tomatoes
   These sweet red fruits are a great source of the phytochemical lycopene, which helps eliminate damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure that speed up the ageing process. Your body gains the most nutrients when the vegetable is heated and just half a cup of cooked tomatoes or pasta sauce contains 16mg of lycopene. That daily dose, along with ample sunscreen, will help protect your skin from the sun.
   
   
2. Sweet Potatoes
   Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin C, a super antioxidant which is necessary for collagen and elastin production. The more collagen you have, the less creased your skin looks. A recent study found that volunteers who consumed 4mg of vitamin C daily for three years, reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 11%.
   
   
3. Spinach
   This super vegetable has grown in popularity in recent years and for good reason. It’s an excellent source of folate, which helps repair DNA, bolstering cell’s ability to renew themselves, and the water in the greens penetrates cell membranes for plumper, less wrinkled skin.
   
   
4. Safflower Oil
   The ultimate moisturiser for those who suffer from flaky, dry skin, safflower oil is a source of omega-6 fatty acids which keep cell walls supple and allow water to better penetrate the skin. Studies show it may help those who suffer with eczema.
   
   
5. Green Tea
   Love your morning cup of tea? Have you considering switching to green tea instead? This super tea releases catechins when brewed, a type of antioxidants with proven anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking two to six cups a day may help reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralising changes which occur in sun-exposed skin, according to a study by the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
   
   
6. Flaxseeds
   These tiny seeds are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids which help to erase spots, improve the appearance of fine lines, help wounds to heal and keep your skin hydrated and smooth. Flaxseeds are also known for being high on the anti-inflammatory index which means skin irritation, redness and tissue inflammation may be reduced.
   
   
7. Dark Chocolate
   Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate can reduce skin roughness and protect against sun damage. The lower sugar content is good as well, as a high sugar diet can speed up the natural ageing process of the skin. You only need a few ounces per day though, so don’t use this an excuse to stock up.
   
   
8. Carrots
   Great for clearing breakouts, carrots are a good source of vitamin A which helps prevent the overproduction of cells in the skin’s outer layer, where dead cells and sebum combine to clog pores.