A host of healthy, natural foods offer potent healing and preventative powers to remedy a wide range of skin troubles. If you want to reap some of these benefits, eat any of these 5 foods:

Blueberries:

Blueberries are high in antioxidants which target free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin cells. The antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant sources of nutrition) in blueberries neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals, reducing cell damage. When skin cells are protected from damage and disintegration, the skin looks younger for longer. Blueberries are also an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E and riboflavin.

Tomatoes:

Free radicals caused by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can be reduced just by eating tomatoes. Tomatoes contain a high level of lycopene, which is a substance that is used in some of the more pricy facial cleansers that are available for purchase over-the-counter. To receive the most benefit for your skin, try eating cooked tomatoes to get a more concentrated lycopene level.

Carrots:

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is a required nutrient for healthy skin. They also contain high levels of antioxidants, which as mentioned previously, prevent free radical damage of skin cells. Vitamin A is required for developing and maintaining skin cells, and a deficiency of the vitamin can cause dry skin. Carrots are also a superior source of fiber, biotin, vitamins K, C and B6, potassium and thiamine.

Olive Oil:

Olive oil is a common folk remedy for very dry skin; it is rich in essential fatty acids and effectively holds moisture to the skin without subsequently drying the skin out, which is a problem with many commercial moisturizers and creams. Olive oil is extremely high in Vitamin E which plays a big part in healthy skin. If olive oil is eaten raw it will promote healthy skin from the inside out. It can also be used in bath water or rubbed right on your skin as a natural moisturizer .

Sweet Potatoes:

The Crayola-colored orange in sweet potatoes comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that’s in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones. A regular influx of new cells keeps the surface of your skin smooth, fresh-looking and resistant to irritants and damage.

In addition to consuming these foods that are extremely beneficial to your skin, you should avoid certain foods that trigger bad skin reactions. Such ingredients include sugar, white flour, saturated fats and fried foods, which are especially bad for the skin, since they can trap oil and bacteria beneath the skin, causing acne and other skin ailments. Consuming the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can reveal beautiful, youthful-looking skin