10 Foods You Didn't Know About That Will Give You Glowing Skin

It goes beyond carrots. (Photo: Getty Images)

If you’ve been adhering to a beauty diet, you might know that foods like avocado, salmon, and blueberries promote glowing skin. But if you want to change it up a bit, we’ve got the scoop on a batch of lesser-known skin-loving foods you can add to your repertoire. Here, beauty nutritionist Paula Simpson’s top picks.

Collard greens
These babies contain zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that evens skin tone and brings out your natural radiance. Sauté it with a little oil to increase the absorption, Simpson says.

Turmeric
Used for centuries in Eastern and Asian cooking, this anti-inflammatory spice contains curcumin, which helps relieve acne. Sprinkle it over soup, rice, egg salad, frittatas, and omelettes.

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Asparagus
Healthy bacteria in your colon equals healthy skin. Prebiotics, which are partially digestible foods like asparagus, promote the growth of this healthy bacteria.

Wheat germ
Have a dry complexion? Amp up your consumption of wheat germ. It contains ceramides, a fat molecule that locks in moisture and promotes a natural glow.

Red meat

Yes, Simpson is giving you the go ahead to eat red meat in moderation, but it must be grass-fed and organic. “It contains alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant that promotes healthy collagen,” she says.

Artichokes
Those with congested skin can benefit from eating this veggie: It contains silymarin, which reduces toxicity in the liver. Pick deep green artichokes with leaves that are close together, Simpson says.

Pomegranate juice
This antioxidant powerhouse combats free-radical damage. (It’s three times more potent than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries!) “This is one fruit where the juice is as beneficial as the fruit itself,” Simpson says. “The peel contains more antioxidants than the flesh, which are released in abundance when the fruit is squeezed while juicing.”

Sardines
So they might not be the most popular fish around, but sardines contain antioxidant-protecting selenium, along with omega-3 fatty acids to prevent redness and irritation. For a quick and easy dish, sprinkle them with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, or combine with chopped tomatoes, basil, and oregano.

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Oysters
Cooked, Eastern wild oysters are one of the richest sources of zinc, which contains strong antimicrobial properties that help keep the skin clear and calm.

Gotu Kola Tea
Tired of green tea? Switch it up with this herbal tea, which promotes collagen production and circulation to give you a natural glow. (It’s been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine!)

By Elizabeth Swanson

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