Gorgeous skin can be a lifetime quest for many. Most people associate good and clear skin to certain products, hormones, and even genetics. However, there is something we often leave out of the equation that’s equally or even more important than anything else – nutrition. Nutrition has a very significant relationship to our skin’s health. The food we eat is literally used by our body to produce skin. That same food will dictate whether our skin is healthy and firm or battling inflammation and toxins.

To better understand what foods exactly will help us achieve that dream of beautiful skin, we have listed a few foods your skin will love that we, here at Allure Az, consider to be the most important.

First of all: water, water, water
No, it’s not technically a food, but staying hydrated will help your body naturally function and detox on its own. On the contrary, not drinking enough water could be overworking the kidneys and not helping them get rid of all the unnecessary toxins that are naturally present in daily life. As a result, the body overproduces oil and a thicker layer of dead skin. If you’re not sure how much water you should be drinking, a safe equation is usually your weight in pounds divided by two; aim for that amount in ounces every day.

Omega-3’s:
Omega-3’s are among one of the most studied nutrients. This amazing compound has the ability to reduce inflammation, protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays, and fight acne. Recent studies have suggested that acne is caused primarily by inflammation in the body, therefore, increasing our intake of this healthy fat will have a direct impact on the skin. Some omega-3 rich foods include fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, and chia seeds.

Protein:
Proteins are one of the building blocks necessary for healthy looking skin. With enough protein the skin will look plump, glowy, and tight. In this very important macronutrient we also find two of the amino acids needed for collagen production, L-lysine and L-proline. It’s important to note that not all protein is created equal. The best protein options will be animal source proteins, also known as “complete proteins” because they contain all nine essential amino acids. Good examples of these complete proteins are fatty fish, plain greek yogurt, eggs, and poultry. Vegans don’t need to worry though, as long as the plant protein sources are being combined there will be enough nutrients to ensure healthy and plump looking skin.

Probiotics
Researchers have found a direct link between the microorganisms living in the gut to our skin’s health. Things such as consuming processed foods, increased stress, toxins, pesticides, or food sensitivities can all cause inflammation in the skin that can look like rosacea, eczema, and acne. Some probiotic rich foods that can improve your gut health include kombucha, brined pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, full fat plain yogurts, as well as eating high fiber, whole foods. Additionally, adding a probiotic supplement to your diet will guarantee the right amount for a healthy gut.

There’s so much we can do nowadays to improve the appearance of skin. Both facials and the beloved skin care routines are crucial for healthy skin, however, let’s not forget that keeping up with a healthy diet and plenty of water to go hand in hand with that regimen is as important!