By now we know that what we eat greatly affects our skin, but there’s still some uncertainty surrounding what the right skin-healthy foods actually are.
To start, you should definitely pass on any sugary foods or refined carbs. Breakouts have been linked to a high glycemic diet. These foods are processed, high in sugar and fat, and are made with white flour and cause your blood sugar to spike. It “triggers a cascade of events that increases hormones and increases sebum, and all this together actually causes acne to flare up,” according to dermatologist Dr. Linda Stein Gold.
Instead, you want to eat colorful fruits and vegetables and lean proteins to keep your blood sugar stable. Some of the best foods for acne and breakouts include berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, whole grains and cold water fish.
In addition to eating healthy and nutritious meals, Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, says that you should also start your day with this acne-fighting drink: Green juice with kale!
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"Kale is an amazing multi-vitamin for skin," she tells Marie Claire. "It has vitamin A (also found in anti-aging creams such as retinol) and helps promote cell growth and healthy cell turnover, getting rid of the older dull skin. Then there's vitamin C and copper, which are the foundation of collagen, and keep skin strong and able to heal itself properly and efficiently."
Not a big fan of kale? Here are some other drinks that skincare experts say will work wonders for your skin and help you have a glowing, clear complexion:
Cucumber-Infused Water
"Since they're 90% water-based, cucumbers help hydrate skin and are also filled with minerals, like magnesium and potassium, that help with keeping the alkaline pH of skin and decrease inflammation," Nazarian says.
Green Tea
"It's packed with antioxidants called catechins and polyphenols, which help protect skin from UV radiation by decreasing the chances of sunburn. And like other antioxidants, they help decrease redness and inflammation," Nazarian explains.
Pomegranate Juice
"A super-juice of sorts, it contains a huge amount of anti-oxidants and polyphenols—over twice as much as green tea—and is fantastic for nurturing fibroblasts in the skin, which are the collagen-making-factories," Nazarian says. "That means more collagen, less wrinkles, and fine lines. The density of antioxidants found in pomegranate juice also improves the tone of skin."
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