My 10 Favorite Foods For Gorgeous Skin

"You are what you eat."

Who hasn't heard this expression before?

And since today my topic of discussion is how different foods can impact your skin, I just couldn't resist using it to open up this post.

When it comes to the health and vitality of your beautiful skin, the foods you choose have more impact on your looks than you realize.

And choosing foods that are both delicious and nourishing for your skin is the ultimate way to enjoy the best of both worlds!

As a matter of fact, you'd be wise to think of your diet as a vital part of your healthy skincare routine, gaining a glowing complexion, and as an aid in slowing down the aging process.

What To Eat For Beautiful Skin

The right foods affect the look of your skin from the inside out, much like how your skincare products work when applied directly to your skin.

Powerful antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and purification qualities exist in abundance in many of your favorite foods. And I'm willing to bet that some of your most crave-worthy treats are on the list!

Let's take a look at some of my most loved foods - they're delicious, and I know they nourish my skin in the best possible way.

Foods Your Skin (& Taste Buds) Will Love

1. Chocolate. I simply had to lead with this one, because who doesn't love chocolate?

For chocolate lovers, when it comes to your skin, there are plenty of excellent reasons to indulge.

First of all, chocolate contains hydrating qualities that help your skin look firmer and more supple.

But the biggest benefit comes from eating dark chocolate, which contains the highest level of a potent antioxidant called flavonols.

Look for chocolate that's at least 70% cacao for the highest concentration of antioxidants to hydrate your skin and improve circulation, leading to healthier, younger-looking skin.

But please do exercise some restraint. Since chocolate is also high in fat, limit your intake to only a couple squares a day for healthy skin minus the added inches to your waistline. :)

Want to do double duty? Slather on some of Eminence Organics’ Chocolate Mousse Hydrating Masque while enjoying some chocolate squares for the ultimate in chocolate benefits, both inside and out!

2. Water. You may not think of water as food, necessarily, but as you've heard me say over and over again, drinking water is one the best things you can do for your skin.

Water hydrates your skin and helps to lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day for both its hydration benefits as well as to flush toxins from your system. It's one of the best ways to keep your skin vibrant and healthy.

If you have to get some hydration from the outside, I highly recommend 100% Pure’s Green Tea Water Bomb Mask. The hydo-gel formula uses 95% aloe water and 5% plant cellulose to deliver so much nourishing hydration to the skin!

3. Colorful Fruits and Veggies. When it comes to the level of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, think color! The more intense, the better.

Studies have shown that the most colorful fruits and veggies are the ones richest in antioxidants. Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are positively brimming with them!

Also, fruits and vegetables such as apricots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash are loaded with antioxidants. Choose your favorites and enjoy!

Antioxidants, as I've said many times, are beneficial for ridding your body, and your skin, of damaging free radicals and toxins, promoting healthier skin, and combating the signs of aging.

4. Vitamin A. Carrots, cantaloupe, and oranges - what do these have in common? Each of these orange-colored foods is rich in vitamin A, a powerful aid in keeping your skin radiant and supple.

Better known as Retinol and Retin-A in your skincare products, vitamin A can deliver some seriously beautiful results.

You can also find vitamin A in green leafy vegetables, eggs, and low-fat dairy foods.

How about enjoying a spinach salad for lunch and a fruit parfait at snack time to give your skin an incredible anti-aging treatment?

Easy and delicious!

5. Vitamin C. Vitamin C is well-known for protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Of course, that does not make this a suitable replacement for your sunscreen, but eating foods rich in vitamin C is a powerful tool to add to your skincare regimen for firmer, smoother, and more protected skin.

Citrus fruits, papaya, broccoli, and brussels sprouts are all rich sources of vitamin C.

My Favorite Vitamin C product pick? Of course I am so proud of my Alana Mitchell Daily Vitamin C Moisturizer!

6. Vitamin E. We're on an antioxidant roll here, aren't we?

Vitamin E is yet another powerful antioxidant that works to protect your skin from sun damage and inflammation.

Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts, olives, vegetable oils, spinach, asparagus, and leafy greens. How about tossing together a tasty Greek salad with a light oil and vinegar dressing for dinner tonight? :)

7. Healthy Fats. I know the term healthy fats may seem like an oxymoron, but not all fats are created equal. Omega-3s and omega-6s are just two examples of healthy fats you should be eating.

Your body needs a certain amount of fat, and there are plenty of healthy ways to get it.

Olive and canola oils, some cold-water fish like salmon and mackerel, as well as flaxseeds and nuts are all rich sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fats.

Adding some of these healthy fats to your diet will do wonders for your beautiful skin by helping to create a natural oil barrier, protecting it from dryness and blemishes.

Bon Appétit! :)

8. Green Tea. This unassuming little cup of tea delivers a powerhouse of antioxidants to your skin.

The antioxidants found in green tea can slow DNA damage and prevent inflammation. There's even evidence it can protect against sun damage.

Again, I am not telling you to skip your sunscreen, but why not also take full advantage of the enormous benefits to your skin by enjoying a nice cup of tea?

9. Almond Milk. Studies have shown that dairy products can be inflammatory to your skin, causing blemishes, acne, and even wrinkles.

As an alternative to regular milk in your coffee or on your cereal, try switching to unsweetened almond milk instead.

Sometimes a simple tweak in your routine is all you need to reap enormous benefits!

10. Coffee. I know, I know, we hear so many different opinions and pros/cons when it comes to coffee.

But if you love your morning cup of java, consider this: In a 2007 study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, women who drank coffee every day slashed their skin cancer risk by as much as 11%.

Now, like anything, moderation is key. No amount of coffee will ever replace a good sunscreen, and of course, we don’t want you to overdo it (coffee jitters are not fun in the slightest).

But if you're a coffee drinker, this is one more reason to go ahead and enjoy your morning coffee guilt free. :)

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the foods I love most that not only taste amazing but are also good for your skin.

And I don't know about you, but I absolutely love the fact that many of my very favorite foods are doing double duty to help keep my skin healthy and luminous!

What about you? Which of the foods we've talked about are among your favorites? Are there any you love that we didn't cover today?