5 Foods to Eat for Clear Skin

Today, I'll introduce you to some of the very best foods to eat for clear skin.

We all know the age-old saying: You are what you eat. And when it comes to skin, the foods you turn to daily can impact the state of your skin. 

Knowing which foods promote clear skin can help you take care of your visage from the inside, out. 

My personal skin story is ongoing. Though my skin is relatively clear now, it has by no means been that way throughout my life. Especially as a teenager, I faced constant breakouts, unsure about what was causing flare-ups. 

I know just how frustrating it can be trying to solve skin problems, but choosing foods to support your skin can be a small step in finding a solution. 

Below, I'll break down what you should add to your grocery list for healthy, clear, and glowing skin. 

The Best Foods to Eat for Clear, Glowing Skin

Before getting into the specifics about which foods will help you achieve a healthy, glowy complexion, it's important to note that basic nutrition is the very first step. 

Having your basic nutrition down-pat lays a solid foundation on which you can build to improve your skin even further. 

This means that before you begin to think about adding these skin-boosters to your daily meals, you should first ensure that you're getting enough protein, fat and carbs so that you're cells are all adequately supported. 

If you know you have a solid grasp on nutrition already, these foods can help bolster your skin health even further. 

Blueberries

Not only are they super tasty, but blueberries are great fruits for supporting clear skin. They're full of antioxidants and vitamins, which can help bolster skin health. 

These little gems benefit skin in many ways, including: 

• Increasing collagen production, resulting in a plumper, healthier appearance
• Help heal blemishes, thanks to vitamins C and K
• Reducing signs of aging

How to use blueberries: 

• Sprinkle on oats, cereal or salads
•  Add to smoothies
• Snack on them raw, alongside some nuts

Probiotics

Probiotics are often found in fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, and kombucha. Probiotics have been shown to promote healthy gut bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent acne-causing bacteria from triggering breakouts. 

Probiotics benefit the skin in many ways: 

• May slow skin aging by preventing free radical damage 
• Anti-inflammatory properties can treat "acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and photoaging"
• Reducing acne outbreaks

How to get the benefits: 

• Take a probiotic supplement
• Add more probiotics to your diet with foods like kombucha, kimchi, kefir, yogurt, pickles, miso and sourdough bread
• Use probiotics topically with probiotic cleansers or toners 

Ginger

Looking for ways to add more flavour to your food? Want to get some beauty benefits while doing it too?

Your answer is ginger. 

When consumed in a food or drink, ginger both reduces inflammation and increases circulation. It can also be used directly on the skin to reduce the appearance of acne spots and scars. Ginger has been used for its healing properties for centuries and can benefit the skin by: 

• Rejuvenates and restores skin, thanks to antioxidant properties
• Improves skin texture and colour
• Combats Acne

How to get the benefits: 

• Add ginger to your cooking
• Make a ginger tea with sliced ginger, lemon and honey
• Make a topical face mask with ginger, honey and lemon
• Rub a ginger slice on scars, blemishes or spots to allow the juice to work its magic

Avocado

You may know by now that avocados are full of healthy fats, but did you know that these fats play a role in supporting your skin and skin health?

According to Healthline, the fats and vitamins in the tasty green goodness have a multitude of benefits including: 

• Helping skin conditions like eczema
• Preventing skin damage, thanks to vitamins A and E
• Improving skin's elasticity
• Reducing breakouts

How to use it: 

• Smash it on toast
• Mix it in salads
• Add it to a green smoothie
• Use avocado oil topically, or look for a cleanser containing avocado oil 

Do you have any other foods you rely on for clear skin? Let me know in the comments!