Clear skin is on everyone’s wishlist, but not many people know how to obtain it. Sure, you can try a fancy new cleanser or moisturizer to get the results you’re after, but dermatologists say that new products aren’t always the answer.
Instead, you should be worrying more about what you’re putting into your body as the foods you eat play a big role in your skin’s appearance. According to dermatologist Dr. Linda Stein Gold, skin conditions like acne can be the result of a high glycemic diet, meaning that the food you eat has a high glycemic index and causes “the sugar in the blood [to go] up quickly, and that triggers a cascade of events that increases hormones and increases sebum, and all this together actually causes acne to flare up,” she explains.
“They’re the sugary foods, the white bread, the donuts and the muffins,” Stein Gold says. A healthy, skin-smart diet should include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, which all contain nutrients and vitamins that can help your skin. Here are the foods that should definitely be in your diet if you want clear skin:
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Spinach
Dark, leafy greens like spinach should be in your diet if acne is a top concern because they're rich in chlorophyll. It helps cleanse bacteria and toxins from the digestive tract and bloodstream, which is good for the pores. Plus, spinach is also rich in vitamin A, another anti-acne agent.
Salmon
Salmon is an excellent choice for acne sufferers because it's loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which is known to boost collagen in the skin and help fight inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties will help keep acne flare-ups at bay to keep your skin looking good.
Pumpkin Seeds
Studies have linked acne to a deficiency in minerals such as zinc and selenium. An easy way to boost these levels is by snacking on pumpkin seeds, which are loaded with these acne-fighting minerals. Not sure how to incorporate them into your diet? You can start by roasting them for a snack, or you can add them to your salads and yogurts for a healthy topping.
Dark Berries
Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries are great for acne because they're loaded with skin-clearing antioxidants. Plus, they also have a good amount of fiber, which will help keep you fuller longer and away from any pore-clogging, unhealthy snacks.
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