Cleanse, tone and moisturise is only the first step to healthy skin, and what we put inside our body is just as important as the product we use. The following foods are great for skin.

Almonds

Almonds contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated 'good' fats and are said to help keep skin looking young by preventing the early appearance of wrinkles, black heads and dry skin as well. Almond oil is used in a number of nourishing skincare products and treatments.

Avocado

Avocados are also packed with 'good' monounsaturated fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to keep skin plump and youthful, while preventing dry skin. Avocados contain vitamin C and vitamin E, which work well together as a powerful skin anti-ageing combination. They are also rich in B complex vitamins – vital for all cell formation, growth, reproduction and respiration.
You can even make your own at home remedy for red, irritated skin, simply by mashing up an avocado and applying it to the irritated areas.

Berries

Blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries are all great for the skin. Berries (especially blueberries) are loaded with antioxidants which are effective in neutralizing damaging free radicals that lead to skin cell damage and premature skin ageing.

Blueberries and other berries are also an excellent source of vitamin C and E helping to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy.

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are an excellent source of the mineral selenium. Selenium improves the skin's elasticity and helps protect against skin infections and acne. Selenium is necessary for the production of glutathione, which neutralizes free radicals in the body that can lead to the deterioration of collagen and elastin in the skin. In addition to skin benefits, selenium improves the condition of hair and nails.

Brazil nuts also contain zinc, which reduces skin inflammation, promotes skin cell growth, and helps against dry skin related problems such as eczema and psoriasis

Carrots

Carrots are good for skin as they contain a high source of beta-carotene. Our body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A which helps with the development of skin cells and promotes healthy skin functions. Carrots are also a great source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that works to mop up free radicals that can lead to the premature ageing of skin.

Dairy Products

Some dairy products are good for the skin. Cottage cheese, for example, is another good source of selenium which is an essential mineral for healthy skin. Low fat yoghurts are full of vitamin A, which does wonders for the skin and can also help with thyroid problems and diabetes.

Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with a variety of anti-oxidants and is good for detoxing. Green team is particularly high in vitamins C, D and K, riboflavin, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron. It therefore provides a wide range of benefits due to it's anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea fights off free radicals that cause early ageing.

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice packs a punch for skin with its combination of vitamin A and vitamin E which can help to prevent the formation of wrinkles. Many health expert are lauding pomegranate juice as one of the best things you can eat or drink in the battle against wrinkles. Pomegranate juice can not only help to prevent the formation of unwanted lines, but it can also help to make existing wrinkles smoother and less noticeable.

Salmon

Salmon and other oily fish (sardines, mackerel, fresh tuna) contain essential fatty acids – food for healthy looking skin.

Salmon contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids which our body cannot manufacture on its own. These fatty acids improve the skin by decreasing the occurrence of clogged pores and reducing the body’s production of inflammatory agents that can lead to skin damage. Omega 3 is well known for nourishing the skin, helping to improve the skin's elasticity, reduce dryness and dryness related problems such as eczema.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds contain a lot of vitamin E, a skin nourisher and powerful antioxidant that helps slow down the ageing of skin. The seeds contain essential fatty acids that help keep the skin nourished and soft. They are also thought to reduce the appearance of blackheads and acne, and help soothe psoriasis and other skin problems such as atopic dermatitis.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin E helps the body regenerate vitamin C and therefore is necessary in order to maximize the effectiveness of vitamin C. Any foods that contain high quantities of vitamin C and vitamin E are very effective antioxidants that deliver great benefits for for skin.

Turkey

Turkey is another food that is high in the mineral zinc which helps with skin inflammation problems, promotes skin cell growth and maintenance of collagen and elastin, and fights against dry skin related problems such as eczema and psoriasis..

Water

This one is really the most important and should be at the top of the list! Good hydration is skin’s best friend. Aim to drink a minimum of 1.5 litres of pure, natural water (nothing added!) a day. Remember, you lose half a litre per day doing absolutely nothing!

Whole Grains

Whole grains are a good food for skin because they are loaded with B group vitamins. B group vitamins are essential to ensure the healthy function of skin, including the growth of new cells, and strengthening skin against infections and stress. Specifically, whole grains help to prevent the peeling and cracking of skin, rough skin on the hands and feet, and conditions such as mouth ulcers.