Foods for Beautiful Skin

At the end of the day, we are what we eat, and it’s reflected in our skin. So why would we ever want to feed it poorly? “I always believe that the skin is a crystal ball into what is happening internally,” says Los Angeles skin guru Sonya Dakar, whose clients include Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow. She recommends avoiding glutens, white sugars and dairy for the best results. But here are some things the skin care industry thinks you should be ingesting (and in some cases, applying topically) on a regular basis. Choosing your food will make you a happier and younger-looking woman.

1. Berries

Dermatologist Nicholas Perricone is a firm believer in the power of ingesting antioxidants found in foods such as blueberries and acai berries. You can easily find both berries in whole or fresh juice form. Perricone contends that a high antioxidant diet can slow the aging process, especially when it comes to wrinkles, by combating skin-slacking free radicals. Extracts of both berries are also being used in skin care products for these very same properties.

2. Apples

Crunch on these fiber-filled fruits and you can improve skin texture. Similarly, the fruit’s antioxidants combat the creation of fine lines and wrinkles. Apple stem cells are an innovative industry darling when it comes to skin care ingredients. "This is my new love," says Dakar. "They rejuvenate the skin by actually helping repair and reproduce our skin cells."

3. Omega Oils

Omega oils are a favorite of facialists and dermatologists because of their reported moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. They can often be found in serum form but are also available as supplements. A great source of this is salmon, which is also high in selenium, a chemical element that can protect against skin cancer. Don’t eat fish? Avocado has many of the same health benefits.

4. Pomegranates

Studies have shown that this seedy fruit is packed with antioxidants. Said to help regenerate skin cells more quickly, the fruit has become a skin care darling in recent years. It is also packed with acne-busting properties and ellagic acid, which increases elasticity.

5. Green Tea

Green tea has a bonanza of benefits that work from the inside and out. Some studies show the steeped drink can improve psoriasis and dandruff. Others note that the tea’s antioxidants infuse skin with plumping properties and may protect against skin cancer. Plus, green tea fights the inflammation at the root of so many skin flare-ups.

Carey Moss is a Los Angeles-based beauty and fashion writer

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