Beauty Secrets For Radically Clear Skin

For too many years, the idea that nutrition could have a significant influence on the skin was dismissed, but that has since changed. Whether the issue is aging, acne, or wrinkle free skin care, many recent studies indicate that nutrition really does matter.

A holistic nutritionist points out that because the body tends to prioritize other organs, such as the heart, when doling out nutrients, the skin is the first to show signs of distress when your diet is poor, "it's a critical barometer of our health." The older we get, the harder it is for our skin to soak up nutrients, making a skin-friendly diet even more critical as we age.

"If someone comes to me for aesthetic reasons, the first thing I am going to say is, 'Tell me about your diet,'" says a noted dermatologist.

Here's a quick and easy look at what to eat and not eat to achieve that desired youthful glow:

Be Wrinkle-free with vitamin C

Vitamin C and other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and A, play a crucial role in neutralizing free-radicals associated with sun, wind, and environmental toxin exposure, which age cells and lead to wrinkled skin. Vitamin C is particularly important for building plump, moist collagen. If you don't get the proper amount of vitamin C, collagen does not hold water well and the results are wrinkles. People who spend a lot of time outdoors, either playing or working, need collagen the most.

Another health article found that higher vitamin C intake is associated with a significantly lower likelihood of wrinkles. So, the first step to wrinkle free skin care is to eat lots of leafy greens and consider drinking orange juice after being out in the sun.

Tomatoes and Green Tea

Tomatoes and green tea have also earned recognition from skin researchers - tomatoes contain lycopene and green tea contains polyphenols.

In 2008, British researchers found that volunteers who took 5 tablespoons of tomato paste daily for 12 weeks and were exposed to UVA light, had 33% more protection against sunburn than the control group; they also had higher levels of pro-collagen (a molecule that gives skin elasticity).

While much of the research on green tea has involved topical applications, some animal studies suggest that ingesting green tea may also help protect the skin from sun damage.

Good Fats

We've all heard how we should eat more fatty fish, such as salmon, and/or add a fish oil supplement to our diet. In addition to having antioxidant properties and hydrating skin cells, essential fatty acids (such as omega-3 - which are commonly found in fish, olive oil, flax seeds, and walnuts) help create a protective layer that shields against environmental stresses and holds in moisture.

These essential fatty acids can also suppress inflammation, which can swell tiny red capillaries on the skin's surface and prompt red patches, or hasten wrinkles by first stretching, then shrinking, the skin. Omega-3 consumption is also believed to reduce excess sebum production in pores, which can aggravate acne.

Essential fatty acids also are good hormone regulators, moderating the breakouts that can occur in premenstrual women. It has even been found that a higher intake of linoleic acid (found in fatty fish) may be associated with the reduced risk of age-related dryness and thinning of the skin