Get Better Skin by Next Week with These 9 Beauty Foods

The summer heat and winter cold both take their toll on skin, and we rush to try the latest beauty cream or facemask to restore some vitality and radiance.

However, we often overlook the importance of diet in maintaining healthy skin. According to Los Angeles nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, you can reveal better skin in just one week by eating the items on this list. Step away from the drugstore, and head to the grocery store instead!

1. Lemons

Snyder recommends starting the day with some hot water and lemon to detoxify the body. It does this by helping your liver and digestive system to eliminate waste quickly, and she says you should continue drinking lemon water throughout the day, or squeeze lemon onto salads or into green juices.

2. Sweet Potatoes

These veggies are full of beta-carotene rich starches, which can boost dull complexions, says Snyder. This is down to the combination of vitamin A and vitamin C, as they work to neutralize cell tissue-damaging free radicals.

As an added bonus, sweet potatoes also contain biotin, which stimulates hair and nail growth.

3. Almonds

Almonds make a great snack, and they’re also good for your skin. They’re full of vitamin E, which Snyder says is a major skin antioxidant, as it’s already present in human epidermal tissue, where it makes skin smooth and supple.

Research also shows that vitamin E could help fight skin aging by protecting skin against damaging ultraviolet rays, while also keeping the skin from drying out.

4. Chia Seeds

These tiny seeds are full of fiber, minerals and antioxidants, as well as the perfect balance of essential fatty acids. It’s these fatty acids that Snyder says gives your skin that “glow.”

Sprinkle them into smoothies or yogurt, or soak them overnight in almond milk for a filling dessert.

You can also take an algae-based DHA supplement to ensure you’re getting the proper amount of omega-3 fats, says Snyder.

5. Pineapple

Snyder hails pineapple as a wonder food for skin. It helps by improving digestion, removing toxins and reducing inflammation in the body. Pineapple also helps the body produce collagen.

6. Beets

Beets are full of antioxidants that can fight the signs of aging, and they can help keep skin youthful, says Snyder. Their vitamins and minerals protect skin from premature aging and wrinkles by stimulating cell production and repair.

Add beets to your morning juice with some apple and a little ginger for a cleansing drink.

7. Figs

The seeds of figs are full of nutrients that assist the digestive tract to clear toxins and mucus, which could stop important nutrients from reaching the skin. Snyder says that this process is essential to creating that “inner glow.” As figs are high in natural sugars, Snyder recommends limiting your daily amount to only a couple.

8. Spinach

Spinach is high in vitamin A, which is needed for skin and hair growth, but it’s also full of vitamin C, which is essential for building and maintaining collagen levels, says Snyder.

9. Medjool Dates

Dates are beautifully sweet, and also high in fiber, which is good for cleansing the body. They’re also rich in copper, which is important for helping the body absorb iron, form collagen and red blood cells. Use dates as a sugar alternative in baking or cooking.