Top 10 Foods to Enhance Your Natural Beauty

Feeling a little ragged? Dealing with “maskne”? Not quite ready to re-enter society?

If you’re hoping to get your skin back on track, we suggest reaching for one (or all) of these 10 beauty-boosting foods…

10 Beauty Boosting Foods

Green Tea

Ditch your usual Earl Grey for green and white varieties of tea. These varieties possess double the antioxidants, which help protect against those pesky UV rays and air pollutants. Tea also improves the visibility of natural and not so natural highlights. Simply soak your hair in cool tea, wrap it in a shower cap and rinse after 15-30 minutes.

Dark 70% Cacao Chocolate

Aside from being downright delicious, dark chocolate contains a large amount of flavonoids, which improve the texture and hydration of the skin, while battling damaging UV rays. Chocolate also releases endorphins – happy is always attractive.

Yogurt

A dazzling smile can go a long way; so keep your pearlies, well, pearly by adding yogurt to your diet. Not only is yogurt loaded with calcium it also has high levels of phosphorous that has been proven to strengthen tooth enamel. Yogurt also aids with digestion (bloating is never cute), and the lactic acid found in Greek yogurt is magic at clearing away dead skin cells when used topically.

Berries

These summertime gems are loaded with Vitamin C, which is a very good thing. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating a diet high in Vitamin C contributes to a significantly less wrinkled appearance as you age. Way to go berries! (We love these superfoods).

Coffee

Caffeine addicts rejoice because coffee is absolutely loaded with antioxidants that are essential for healthy skin. But before you indulge in that second double shot Americano, hear this: it’s best if you limit your coffee intake to 8 ounces a day – too much java can dehydrate you. Caffeine is also a topical diuretic, so it’s ideal for tackling puffy eyes.

Sweet Potatoes

While you’re not likely to flip out every time you break a nail, it’s safe to say that it’s an inconvenience you can do without. Sweet potatoes are bursting with beta-carotene, which improves the integrity of your hair and nails.

Oysters

Oysters are better known as the aphrodisiac of the sea but they have plenty of beauty benefits too. Oysters contain zinc, which not only boosts collagen production but also speeds up the healing process and helps improve acne by regulating the skin’s oil production.

Kale

Is there nothing this leafy green can’t do? Kale is jam-packed with a host of vitamins, including Vitamin A, which is vital for a dazzling white smile. Kale is also loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation – bu-bye puffy eyes!

Avocados

Avocados are loaded with antioxidants that help protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Avocado contains essential fatty acids, which help lock in your skin’s natural moisture for a dewy, radiant glow. Applying avocado oil to the skin also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Mix half an avocado with a quarter of a cup Greek yogurt for a quick facemask.

Almonds

If you’re not too happy about those stray grays give almonds a try. Almonds contain a large amount of catalase – an enzyme that impedes the graying process by limiting the build-up of hydrogen peroxide in your hair follicles.