Let’s face it: You are what you eat. So, for those who long for that healthy glow – but don’t want to spend extravagant amounts of money on skin products, such as creams and lotions (which might not work anyway) – try changing the foods you eat on a daily basis. It only makes sense: A steady diet of fries and soda can those make those bad skin days all too frequent.

Rx for Gorgeous Skin

• Vitamin C keeps collagens (the tissue in your skin) strong and keeps it from sagging. Weak collagen can mean that there are wrinkles and lines in your skin. Vitamin C also helps prevent your skin from bruising. Oranges are the key source for vitamin C, but lemons and limes are also great choices that contain this vitamin as well. Squeeze some lemons into water, add a splash of sugar or sugar substitute, and you’ve got a thirst-quenching – and healthy – drink.
• Zinc helps disable impaired collagen, therefore making room for new collagen. Dark, leafy greens are full of vitamins A, C and zinc. Try adding spinach to your pasta or arugula to your salad. Pairing these kinds of vegetables with feta cheese, bacon, or walnuts dulls their slightly bitter taste and makes them all the more delicious.  
• High-fiber foods keep your intestines healthy by removing unwanted waste from your body. This may help your skin to be clearer. Brown rice contains many amino acids that are used in repairing skin cells. Also, oats have an anti-inflammatory effect on your skin, so try having some oatmeal for breakfast.
• Vitamin A supports skin cell growth and development and helps skin resist infection. Without this vitamin, your skin can become dry and tough. Cantaloupe, egg yolks, dried apricots, and carrots are all high in this mega-vitamin.
• Antioxidants prevent skin from aging. EGCG, a particularly potent antioxidant, inhibits inflammatory chemicals that cause acne and the aging of skin due to the sun. Another cool fact is that EGCG keeps tumor cells at bay and prevents skin cancer. All true teas (white, black, and green) have EGCGs, but green teas have the most. So, help yourself to a pot of green tea in the morning or afternoon. And antioxidants are abundant in those oh-so-healthy fruits and vegetables, of course, as well as nuts, grains, and some meat, poultry, and fish.
• Omega-3 fights inflammation, which causes skin to age, and helps protect against sunburns. Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Omega-3 fights against aging skin and the protein supports skin cells and makes your skin glow. For dinner this week, bake some fish. Take your pick from salmon, Atlantic mackerel, or tuna.

More Smart Skin Ideas

• Swap butter for some olive oil. Olive oil contains essential fatty acids that help prevent dry skin.
• Not only are our bodies made up of mostly water, but water plumps skin and can make wrinkles less noticeable. Dull, ashen skin is also a sign of dehydration.  
• Don’t eat too much meat. Most meat is high in saturated fats, which can block the chemicals responsible for maintaining the balance of your hormones. Your hormones are responsible for the health of your skin. For instance, an imbalance of your hormones can trigger acne problems.

Best Face Forward

Other tips for that healthy, glowing complexion include:

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater, and monitor sun exposure to protect your skin from aging, premature wrinkles, and possibly even cancer.
• Cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize as part of your daily routine. Start by using a gentle cleansing product, then follow with a granulated wash to scrub off dead skin cells. Use a toner or astringent to remove any dirt or residue. Finally, apply a moisturizer to keep skin soft and silky. There are products for both men and women available at your local store.
• Smile! It goes a long way toward improving your appearance – and spirits.

This article has been reviewed by BodiMojo expert Dr. Jessica A. Hoffman.

Bountiful Fruits:

What’s the link between blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and plums? They all have high antioxidant content, according to one recent study, which said that these four fruits have the highest “antioxidant capacity” of any food.