5 Foods to Help Clear Your Skin

Beauty starts from the inside out. When it comes to your skincare, it’s not only about what you put on your skin, but also what you eat.

Diets high in processed foods and sweet treats are known to cause acne (ever wake up from a junk food hangover accompanied by a pesky new zit?). While avoiding these foods can help prevent an immediate breakout, adding more plant-based foods into your diet can help improve your skincare long-term.

If you’re looking for clear, healthy skin, consider switching up some ingredients in your diet. While a good skincare routine can do wonders, nothing beats nutritious and delicious plant-based food.

Here are five foods to help with clear skin:

1. Berries

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, instead of initially grabbing that bag of candy, put together a fruit bowl of your favorite berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and more). Berries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, helping prevent blotchy skin and dark spots. 

Pro tip: While fresh berries on their own are a wonderful treat, there are other ways to sneak these into your diet. If you’re craving a sweet morning breakfast, a filling snack, or dessert after dinner, try these Blackberry Cobbler Muffins. 

2. Greens

When we think of healthy eating, leafy green vegetables always come to mind. We all know that greens are good for us, but you may be wondering why. While greens are amazing for you internally, their impact is also significant when it comes to healthy skin. In particular, greens such as kale and spinach (although the list goes on!) contain a multitude of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. These vitamins help keep the skin moisturized while fighting inflammation and sun damage.

Pro tip: Kudos if you enjoy a decadent kale salad, but realistically, you may be craving something heartier. Enjoy this protein-packed vegan Cheesy Black Bean & Kale Pasta for comfort food that you can thrive on. 

3. Avocados

At first, you may conclude that fatty foods are bad for your skin. But there are actually different types of fats—some good for you, some remaining neutral, and others that should be avoided. Avocados are high in healthy fats and are a good source of vitamin E, helping keep the skin flexible and moisturized, while protecting the skin from oxidative damage.

Pro tip: Avocados are easy to incorporate into your diet, as a delicious snack on their own, a topping to your favorite dish, or the highlight of a recipe. Try them in these Crazy Vegan Guac Tacs.

4. Sweet Potatoes

While you may need to put that bag of potato chips down, sweet potatoes are a great starchy alternative. Sweet potatoes are yummy, healthy, and great for your skin. They contain high levels of beta-carotene and magnesium which have anti-inflammatory properties. The skin of sweet potatoes are also good for your skin! They are full of fiber which helps fight against acne.

Pro tip: The smell of sweet potatoes baking in the oven is comforting on its own, but these Vegan Sweet Potato & Sauerkraut Pierogies are the perfect excuse to get crafty in the kitchen.

5. Dark Chocolate

We saved the best for last: chocolate! This indulgent goodie is actually great for the skin. Cocoa powder hydrates the skin and helps protect it from damaging UV rays. Make sure to purchase a vegan dark chocolate (the darker the better), as many chocolate products contain milk and additives that dilute the amount of cocoa, making them not as effective on the skin.

Pro tip: We love baking these Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chips for a weekend treat.

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Kinder Beauty is here to help you on your skincare journey.

To help keep your skin clear, make sure to eat right and invest in the proper skincare. Here at Kinder Beauty, we understand the power high-quality, natural products have on the skin. That’s why we only provide vegan makeup and skincare products in our Kinder Beauty subscription boxes.

Sarah Pruzansky is a passionate environmental and animal rights activist, working as a freelance marketer and social media influencer manager based in South Florida.