6 Ways to Eat Yourself to Beautiful Skin

            

veggie face

Beautiful skin starts from the inside out, and eating these six foods could help your body's largest organ avoid sun damage, stay moisturized, fight wrinkles, and even prevent cancer.

Carrots

Often thought of as being good for the eyes, carrots are great for your skin, too. The same vitamin A that has made them historically eye-friendly also helps your skin fight blemishes, so reach for the carrot sticks when you've got a breakout coming on.

Safflower Oil

Safflower oil contains high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which are nature's moisturizers. They help keep cell walls supple, which allows more moisture to enter the cells. Some research has shown that safflower oil may even help people who suffer from extreme skin conditions like eczema.

Spinach

A nutritional powerhouse, spinach contains high levels of folate, which are thought to help fight skin cancer. In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, people who ate the most leafy greens had 50 percent fewer skin cancer tumors over an 11-year period.

Flaxseeds

Flax seeds are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help erase dark spots and smooth out wrinkles. A British study showed that half a teaspoon of omega-3s daily was enough for participants to notice improvement in their skin.

Almonds

All hail the mighty almond and its powerful antioxidant, vitamin E. As few as 20 almonds a day could boost your skin's ability to ward of damage from UV rays. And, because vitamin E is an antioxidant, you'll also be fighting free-radical damage.

Papaya

High in vitamin C, papayas are born wrinkle fighters. Studies have shown that people who consume the most vitamin C have visibly fewer wrinkles. Carrots and sweet potatoes are also great ways to get your C in.

Written by Lacy Boggs Renner