Foods for clearer skin

When it comes to clear skin, we all know what foods we need to avoid. Hint: it’s all the good ones. But there are also loads of healthy and delicious foods that have skin-clearing properties and are super easy to incorporate into your daily diet. Summer is fast approaching and while that means sunny days and loads of Callipos (#livingthedream), it also comes with sweaty upper lips and clogged pores. So, now’s the time to kick-start your summer skin care regimen. Here are five foods that will help you do just that.

Avocado

I will always love avocado, purely for being the hero ingredient in guacamole, but it’s also packed full of vitamin E which contains a heap of skin-clearing antioxidants. Other antioxidants found in avocado help stimulate the production of collagen, which naturally improves the texture and tone of the skin. And if that wasn’t enough reason to smear some avo on your morning toast, it also helps increase your skin’s luminosity. Talk about a high-achiever.

Watercress

Watercress is a leafy green plant that can work wonders for your skin. It’s full of minerals like potassium and carotene, which are like natural cleansers. It’s so easy to add watercress to your diet – just throw some into your salads or onto a sambo and eat your way to clear summer skin!

Fennel

Fennel is as polarising as Justin and Selena’s relationship, but whether you’re for or against this healthy veggie, there’s no denying its benefits. Fennel is like a superfood for your stomach and helps aid digestion. Not only is it good for your gut, it’s also great for your skin and even the health of your hair. Fennel can be shaved raw into salads or sautéed and served with hot meals.

Nuts

We all know nuts are a great snack to control cravings, but it turns out they’re also excellent for your skin. Think almonds, walnuts, cashews and Brazil nuts – they’re loaded with vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper and potassium, which all contribute to the healthy functioning of your skin. Plus, most nuts contain selenium, which is known to actively fight infection and has skin-clearing properties.

Garlic

Being Italian, I’m no stranger to using garlic in the kitchen and aside from being delicious in pretty much everything; it’s also great as a skin-clearing agent. Allicin is a compound that is only found in garlic and it’s like a Bad-Blood-esque soldier against acne-causing bacteria. Garlic is most effective when you ingest it raw, but be sure to have some mints at the ready!

Of course, there are also some products that can help clear your skin for summer! We love:

1. Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster
2. Alpha-H Clear Skin Kit  
3. The Body Shop Skin Clearing Lotion

Have you heard of other foods that are good for your skin? How do you prepare your skin for summer?