We spend lots of time and money consideringwhat we put on our faces.
But how much do you think about whether or not you’re following a clear skin diet?
But some are rethinking the party line.
Geri Lavrov / Getty Images
Here’s what we found.
Pile these on your plate.
All pack nutrients essential for healthy skin.
A strong support layer underneath helps smooth what’s on top and prevent wrinkles, she says.
Aim for:two 1-cup servings of fruit and 1 cup of red peppers and/or broccoli a day.
Plus, strong membranes hold water in,keeping skin hydrated.
Aim for:2 tablespoons hulled seeds or 23 almonds daily.
It also has antioxidant powers.
Despite their color, dark leafy greens like spinach and kale are also excellent sources of beta-carotene.
Aim for:three 1-cup servings a day.
Aim for:6 cups a day.
It’s a good starting point,Keri Gans, R.D., a NYC-based dietitian, tells SELF.
Some research suggests beauty power behind these foods, but effects aren’t totally proven.
No need to wait, though; the goodies are part of a healthy diet and worth eating regardless.
Aim for:Chocolate is high in calories, so treat yourself to about 1 oz a day.
Reds are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help fight skin-damaging free radicals.
But sip no more than one glass a day, saysKatherine Brooking, R.D., an NYC-based dietitian.
Also, heavy alcohol usemay even decrease vitamin A levels, which is an important nutrient for healthy skin.
One explanation is that low-glycemic foods keep insulin steady, and refined carbs and sugar spike it.
Aim for:3 servings a day (1 serving equals a slice of bread or 1/2 cup cooked grains).
Cutting back on these foods may bring you closer to your clear skin goals.
And skin that doesn’t bounce back easily leads to wrinkles and sagging.
Milk may not be doing your skin any favors.
Some experts say there’s a connection, whileothers are a bit skeptical.
According to theAmerican Academy of Dermatology, there seems to be an association, but a weak one.
Experts suggest two possible explanations for the dairy-acne connection: hormones and insulin.
Milk also raises insulin levels and contains growth factors that act like insulin, Treloar says.
There’s not enough hardcore evidence to say that anyone with zits should cut dairy from their diets.
Butit may be worth experimentingwith a milk-free diet if you have excessive, stubborn breakouts, Treloar says.
(Be sure, however, that you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D elsewhere.)
For those who suffer from rosacea, eating spicy foods can cause a temporary flareup of blotchiness and redness.
She put together this clear-skin eating plan.
