Most of us desire smooth, clear, glowing, and supple skin. This has created a billion-dollar beauty industry luring several to invest in beauty products, monthly facial treatments, and whatever supplement there is that promises a silky face. However, what happens when a mask, facial, or hormonal treatment goes awry and results in recurrent acne flare-ups or even scarring?  Often, we concentrate on various topical skin treatments and oral medication forgetting that the food consumed could be the reason for most skin issues.

Diet is one of the overlooked aspects of healthy skin despite there being a connection between what we eat and the state of our skin. Your skin exudes what you ingest. Therefore, eating well directly translates to healthier skin and the opposite is true. At the mention of the word diet, some will wander to the diet fads they can indulge in, whereas others will obsess about particular superfoods forgetting that there are plenty of affordable and readily available options.

Foods to consider include:

1. Water- Drinking enough water is the easiest way to have a healthy skin glow. This is because the skin is majorly made up of water and if dehydrated, the skin will look and feel parched. Water can also be obtained from foods with high water content such as watermelons and cucumbers
2. Vitamin E rich foods such as nuts and avocados that are good antioxidants and prevent collagen (the most abundant structural protein responsible for skin elasticity) destruction
3. Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits that are good antioxidants and aid in collagen production
4. Probiotic-rich foods such as mala, yogurt, or fermented porridge. These foods help in lowering inflammation which worsens skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Further, they help boost the skin’s hydration
5. Foods rich in magnesium such as brown rice, dark green leafy vegetables, and bananas to help with sleep. Poor sleep interferes with your skin’s health
6. Foods rich in protein. These foods provide amino acids that help in collagen formation which makes the skin firm and supple
7. Selenium rich foods such as eggs, liver, fish, and chicken help in neutralizing the free radicals and other skin-damaging compounds that may accelerate wrinkling
8. Foods rich in Vitamin A such as carrots, liver, and dark green leafy vegetables that help speed up the healing process, prevent skin breakouts and ensure a moisturized skin
9. Foods rich in Zinc such as Wheatgrass, honey, and dark green leafy vegetables which aid in reducing the severity of acne and early signs of aging
10. Green tea contains polyphenols that lower sebum levels which expose the skin to acne

Skin health encompasses several factors. In addition to the aforementioned foods, exercise, wear your sunscreen and have your skincare routine because a healthy, glowing skin requires work but it is worthwhile in the long run.