Your skin care routine is an important part of the way you look, but it’s not a foundation of health. That’s the role that fundamental nutrition plays. Your body needs a blend of nutrients to function. These come from the foods you eat, defining the need for a varied diet that includes all of the vitamins and minerals that your body uses as raw materials.
When it comes to your skin, all calories are not nutritionally equal. You’re feeding the largest organ your body has — skin needs lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of antioxidants to handle its job as your frontline protector against the outside world.
At Radiance Wellness MediSpa in Southlake and Granbury, Texas, we’re ready to help you make the most of your appearance, offering a wide range of medical aesthetic spa services. We’ve also prepared this primer on the best foods to eat for foundational skin nutrition. Together, we can keep your skin looking as young as possible.
Avocados
If guacamole strikes you as a luxurious indulgence, you know only part of the story. Providing a rich source of vitamins C and E, avocados also add selenium, creating a winning combination for speeding your body’s skin healing times. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in this green wonder fruit aid fluid retention, too.
Berries
Many people groan inwardly at the thought of eating for health, but the fact is that nutrition is often delicious. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and the like are loaded with antioxidants, compounds that help your body fight off the damage caused by free radicals. Time in the sun exposes you to ultraviolet light. These rays can alter your skin’s DNA, so look to antioxidants to block and repair these effects.
Brazil nuts
Speaking of selenium, you can boost your intake by adding Brazil nuts, which also provide vitamin E compounds. In addition to healthy skin, Brazil nuts may improve your hair’s appearance.
Broccoli
Like many vegetables, broccoli is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, making it a low-calorie nutritional powerhouse. However, sulforaphane is the compound that broccoli delivers in bulk, adding protection against sunburn and skin cancer.
Extra virgin olive oil
Healthy fats add key components that help preserve the firmness and elasticity of skin. The monounsaturated fats contained in fresh and flavorful extra virgin olive oil are skin-friendly health boosters.
Fish rich in omega-3s
Your skin can’t get enough omega-3 compounds, so turn to salmon, albacore tuna, trout, mackerel, or char one to three times a week. Salmon also carries the antioxidant astaxanthin, which boosts skin hydration and elasticity.
Dark chocolate
Packing an antioxidant punch that beats those of acai berries and blueberries, dark chocolate is deliciously loaded with flavanols. The more flavanols the better, so chocolate above 70% cocoa content delivers the best skin boosting performance.
Carrots and sweet potatoes
Both of these popular side dishes come loaded with beta carotene, another powerful antioxidant and free-radical fighter. Maximize their nutritional value by avoiding preparation methods that add sugar.
Chances are you have more than one flavorful favorite on this list, which is just a sampling of beneficial foods — other great and great-tasting options include green tea, mussels, leafy greens, citrus, and more.
Combine skin-friendly nutrition with any of our medispa services to multiply the effects of both diet and treatment by booking a treatment at either of our locations. Call your office of choice directly or schedule an appointment online using the link available on this page. It’s never too soon to start working on younger-looking skin, so book today.