It is well known that food serves as fuel to keep your body in the best shape possible. By eating a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet you are able to enhance your immune system as well as your overall physical and mental health. But, people often forget that consuming proper food also affects another organ and that is your skin.

There are many models walking on runway shows wearing no makeup and having a gorgeous complexion. While one of the reasons for that may be good genes and effective beauty products, food has proven to be another major contributor to having good-looking skin.

So, in addition to following a personalized skincare routine, you must also rely on foods rich in vital nutrients to keep your skin looking healthy and blemish-free.

Take a look at these five clear skin diet tips you should follow to improve your overall skin health and keep your complexion always refreshed and glowing.

Always hydrate your skin

Regardless of your skin type, you should always opt for having a hydrated complexion. This further brings many health benefits for the skin such as improving its elasticity, combating oiliness and being more resistant to environmental irritants.

One way to go about this is to drink plenty of water. According to experts, eight glasses of water is the recommended amount that everyone should be drinking on a daily basis. This beverage serves as a natural detox that cleanses all toxins from within, making your skin look healthy and moisturized.

If you want to switch it up, you can always turn to teas which will be just as beneficial to the skin as water. For example, a cup of black tea can do wonders for your skin due to the presence of antioxidants and phytonutrients that help the body get rid of toxins and promote skin regeneration.

Eat lots of fruits and veggies

Fruits and vegetables contain an excellent amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help protect the skin from cellular damage caused by free radicals. In fact, research shows that eating such colorful foods can make your skin look more attractive and give it a healthy glow in no time.

For example, vitamin C is one crucial component for promoting radiant skin. It is an antioxidant which supports skin health by helping blemishes heal properly and producing collagen to keep the skin looking young and elastic. Some fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamin C include strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli and sweet potato.

Another antioxidant that also helps promote skin health is carotenoids which are found in red fruits and vegetables such as oranges and carrots. This component acts as an internal SPF for your skin providing beta-carotene which further converts to vitamin A.

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Reduce your sugar and dairy intake

If you are striving for a radiant complexion, your sugar and dairy intake must be reduced to a minimum. These foods are rich in various components which contribute to the development of serious skin conditions such as acne.

For example, refined carbs like cakes, biscuits, bread and pasta can have an aging effect on the skin. This is because the sugar present in them can lead to skin cell damage and affect collagen production. Instead, you should opt for low-GI carbs to help release the sugar into the bloodstream gradually which will further help lower the chances of the development of severe skin infections.

As for dairy products, they include components that may throw your hormones off balance. Milk, for example, contains lactose that is related to testosterone and stimulates the oil glands in the skin to produce more sebum allowing the occurrence of acne.

Opt for more healthy fats

In reality, the skin is made up of fat. So, one way of making sure you don’t compromise the natural elasticity and sheen of your complexion is to include healthy fats in your diet. Such food contains essential fatty acids that act as natural moisturizers for your skin and help protect against free radical damage.

For example, avocados are the best source of healthy fats. According to studies, they help protect the skin from UV damage which can cause wrinkles and other signs of aging. In addition, avocados are also rich in vitamin E that protects the skin against oxidative damage and it is most effective when combined with vitamin C.

Nuts also contain fatty acids and various vitamins and minerals that help make your skin smooth and supple while giving it a natural glow. The most effective nuts include walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts.

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Avoid spicy foods

Hot and spicy foods raise body temperature and dilate blood vessels which often lead to skin irritation and redness. This is because such food contains acidic lycopene that irritates the skin, throws the pH levels off balance and triggers breakouts.

For example, the biggest effect spicy food has on the skin is inflammation. When it is ingested in high amounts, it can trigger the overproduction of sebum. This further clogs your pores and leads to blackheads and often painful pimples.

Another problem that occurs as a result of such inflammation from spicy food is flushing. In this case, the blood vessels are enlarged and increase the blood flow making your skin turn very red and even itchy.

Whatever the case may be, it must be noted that spicy food mostly affects skin prone to inflammation and severe skin conditions. So, if you have this problem, avoid eating such food at any cost.

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Final thoughts

Besides opting for effective beauty products for keeping your complexion always glowing and refreshed, you must also pay attention to what kind of food you are ingesting. While there are many foods containing healthy nutritious values that promote skin health, you should also be aware of the foods that can have a bad impact on your complexion. The reality is that the condition of your skin is reflected by what you put in your body which is why eating a healthy diet is the best approach to achieve glowing skin.