Wondering what to eat for clear skin? Is it wine? Please say it’s wine!
This post may contain affiliate links*This is the million-dollar question — can we really eat our way to smooth, silky, pimple-free skin? The answer isn’t a hard yes, but it’s not a no either.
And I should know, I’ve spent my life in search of the answers for my problematic skin, one that has sprouted volcanoes during the most in-opportune of moments (big dates, prom, meeting-his-parents, etc.). And now that I’m in my thirties I get to enjoy the onset of crow’s feet along with the occasional zit.
Alas with my creds out of the way as to why this topic is important to me, I’ll share with you the best tips I’ve learned in my decade-plus search for ways to better my skin. Please share your tips and thoughts with me below, as a girl can never get enough advice!
What to Eat for Clear Skin: 8 Choices
1. Yerba Prima Colon Care Formula
When you are constipated, toxins build up in your body. And your skin — your body’s largest organ — does have a role to play in elimination. Said another way, if your gut doesn’t get rid of toxins, your skin may have to step up and help. And “helping” means breakouts.
So this colon supplement is something you swallow rather than eat, but man does it do miracles. And let me calm you immediately by assuring you that this is not a scary pill, or a laxative, or a “colon dump 300 maxx out elimination.” It’s simply a fiber-rich supplement to help keep your colon clear of toxins.
Yerba Prima Colon Care is formulated with psyllium seek husks, oat bran, and apple pectin.
2. Extra virgin olive oil
Olive oil is full of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your skin and your heart. Think of olive oil as a nice lubricant for your digestive system — its natural laxative properties will support proper elimination of those toxins.
3. Orange foods (NOT Cheetos)
By orange foods, I mean foods that are naturally orange — mangos, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, apricots, pumpkin, cantaloupe. These foods are high in vitamin A which is great for your skin. In fact, a very strong prescription anti-acne medication known as Accutane is actually just synthetic vitamin A in an extremely high dose.
4. Circulation movers (paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, turmeric)
These spices keep your circulation moving to give you a natural flush to your skin. They’re also anti-bacterial. What’s more, the paprika and cayenne have vitamin A too!
5. Garlic
Garlic has an arsenal of skin-clearing properties. It’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and antiseptic. If you’re coming down with a cold, eat raw garlic. If you need to clean your skin, eat raw garlic. If you’re going on a date, don’t eat raw garlic until you come home.
6. Sunflower seeds and almonds
These pack a real punch full of vitamin E which is essential to your skin’s healing process. So if you want to get over that pimple faster, you’ll need more vitamin E. You can also use it as a topical agent to scars, scabs, and cuts.
7. Caffeine
Feeling puffy? Then have some green tea or coffee. The caffeine will help eliminate some of that puffiness and act as a mild diuretic.
Chocolate, contrary to popular belief, is also a good option. Just make sure it has 75% cacao — the flavanoids are an added benefit to the natural caffeine.
8. Kefir (organic and hormone-free only)
This somewhat pungent and sour drinkable yogurt is my go-to every morning with cereal and sometimes just on its own. The protein from this cultured milk product is great for keeping skin elastic. Plus, all of the pre and probiotics help ensure that the bacteria balance in the body remains healthy (good bacteria is our friend!)
Note: if you suffer from lactose intolerance, this still could cause you some problems. While it’s much easier to digest with its cultured properties, some folks still feel bloated from kefir. So try it and then go a few days without to see how you do.