The 5 Best Foods to Keep Your Skin Glowing 💛

For better or worse, our skin is often the first place to reflect our eating habits. 🍓The great news is that often the best potion for our skin is as simple as a handful of strawberries or a few squares of dark chocolate.

Strawberries have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving than oranges or grapefruit. And research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in vitamin C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don’t. 💛👌🏼

Vitamin C fights free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to fine lines. For smoother, better-hydrated skin, add in a few strawberries into your morning routine with yoghurt or blend them in your smoothies.

According to dermatologist Dr. David Bank, kale is loaded with Vitamins A, C and K, lutein, iron, and antioxidants. “The vitamin K in kale helps to reduce the dark circles under your eyes and ‘tightens’ your skin, thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles.” It also helps to reduce the swelling and scars that may form after medical procedures. “Lutein, a carotenoid, also promotes collagen production, which is essential for your skin’s strength and ‘full’ appearance,” Dr. Bank says. 👨🏼‍⚕️🌟

Salmon is rich in antioxidants that calm inflammation, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “The free fatty acids serve as building blocks for healthy skin cells.” How, exactly? “Since our bodies don’t have the ability to produce the fatty acids, [eating them] helps reinforce your skin’s barrier, and keeps moisture in and irritants out,” adds Dr. Leslie Baumann, certified board dermatologist and Founder of Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute.

She recommends eating wild salmon over farm-raised for an optimal dose of omega-3s. Interested in keeping your skin hydrated all night long? Check out How Silk Keeps Your Skin Radiant & Smooth. 💕

The sweet treat is rich in cocoa flavanols, plant compounds with antioxidant properties, which help hydrate skin and improve circulation. Women who consumed a high flavanol cocoa powder drink daily for 12 weeks experienced less skin roughness and scaliness compared to a control group. 🍫❤️

Dark chocolate can also help you to decompress and lower stress-relieving hormones that wreak havoc on our skin. (And if you’re looking for more tips on how to unwind for a better night’s rest, read up on how Cannabis Can Give You a Better Night’s Sleep.)

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil don’t just benefit you on the inside—they soften your skin, too. “Ancient Romans massaged olive oil into their skin,” Dr. Perricone says. “When used topically, olive oil results in smoother, more radiant skin.” 💁🏼‍♀️ Plus, consuming olive oil, a staple in the healthy Mediterranean diet, provides antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce inflammation. In addition to working olive oil into your daily diet, apply as a lip gloss and skin soother, as needed.