Foods for Skin: 7 Anti-Ageing Foods

Foods for skin: 7 Anti-aging foods to help reduce ageing lines and smooth your skin

It seems like everyday I am reading about a new “cleanse” or “diet” to help clear my skin of the effects of ageing.  All of these trends have one thing in common: they are constantly telling me what I can’t eat.  The truth is that I continue to cut out these so-called “toxins” but continue to see little change in my skin.  Finally, here is the list of 7 foods you CAN (and should) eat in order to improve your skin and fight-off those signs of ageing.

1. Blueberries:

Is there anything these tiny super-fruits don’t do? These tiny blueberries pack a power antioxidant punch! This means they give your skin extra protection from sun damage, pollution and even stress.

2. Pomegranates:

Generally, fruit packed with vitamin-C like pomegranates will guard against wrinkling from sun damage. However, pomegranates also have something called punicalagin (say that three times fast) that might increase your body’s production of collagen, a tissue that makes your face look smooth. Tip: Pomegranate juice isn’t the same as the fruit- get those seeds in your diet!

3. Tomatoes: 

It almost seems counterproductive, but tomatoes are actually great for reducing redness on your skin. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which has shown to decrease redness, decrease the effects of sunburn and improve smoothness in to your skin.

4. Avocados:

Avocados are everyone’s favourite “good fat”. The truth is, the monounsaturated fat of avocado keeps your skin hydrated and helps your skin absorb important vitamins. Side tip: Hydration is good for everything – your skin, your mind, your body. Drink more water – enough said.

5. Olive Oil:

Just when you though the entire list would be fruits and veggies that never feel filling, I’m happy to include something I put on everything except cereal. Olive oil has minerals, protein and vitamins that are essential for skin health and can be skin smoothing.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the king of olive oils and has superior benefits for improving skin health and contributing to anti-ageing.

6. Fish:

Specifically fish like tuna and salmon that contain large amounts of omega-3 are great for keeping collagen and smoothing skin. These fish have also shown to be cancer-preventing which is, you know, important too. Not a fish eater? Try the glorious combination of avocado and salmon. Grill those two, enjoy, and get the double dose of skin – improving foods.

7. Sea salt:

This might be the easiest change in your diet. And, yes, I am completely aware that the sea salt trend seems as ridiculous as 21-day cleanse that so many people favour these days, but the effects and results are real. The process of making sea salt includes the evaporation of salt water bodies and not much else as compared to the heavily processed regular table salt. The minimal processing allows for retaining of minerals and people have reported less acne, smoother and healthier looking skin. Let’s be clear though: those sea salt potato chips are still terrible for you and your skin.

Eating better and making some swaps in your diets in crucial for improving your skin and reversing the effects of anti-ageing. However, skin specialists say lowering stress, 7+hours of sleep per night and exercise can also smooth fine lines, wrinkles and clear redness and acne. So, grab some blueberries, hit the gym and get to bed at decent hour every once in a while and enjoy your radiant skin.

Article written by our skin expert Laura Wilson