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Lifestyle

6 Foods to Help You Eat Your Way to Healthier Skin

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at DU chapter.

It’s almost summertime, and you know what that means: sun and sweat! Emphasis on the sweat. The sun and warm weather make us feel happy, but the sun can damage your skin, and sweat and sunblock can make you breakout. While sunblock should be your first line of defense against skin cancer and damage, you can also eat your way to healthier skin. Here’s a list of foods that can make your skin healthier.

1. Strawberries

Potluck pasture sweet
Tess Tarantino

Strawberries are high in Vitamin C, which has been linked to less wrinkles and less dry skin. Good news: they’re almost back in season!

2. Red Grapes

high berry grape
Kristine Mahan

Red grapes can help combat inflammation and allergic reactions on your skin. I know my skin gets extra sensitive in the heat and the sun, so red grapes are my friend.

3. Nuts

foods that will help curb test anxiety nut
Torey Walsh

Studies have shown that some acne sufferers are low in the minerals zinc and selenium. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium. And cashews, pecans, almonds, and peanuts are good sources of zinc.

4. Water

SoulCycle ice water
Jocelyn Hsu

This might be an obvious one, but I feel like everyone needs a reminder to drink more water. Water hydrates your skin, and helps keep you from dehydrating in the summer heat.

5. Kale

healthy food kale salad
Alex Tom

Kale hasn’t been in the spotlight much lately, so people tend to forget about it. But it’s still good for you and delicious. It has nutrients that help your body absorb and balance out the free radicals you get from the sun’s UV light.

6. Pumpkin 

pumpkin flavored item sweet pumpkin
Jocelyn Hsu

You might think of this as a fall food, but cooked pumpkin actually helps the growth of skin cells, which is great news in the summertime when your sunburned skin inevitably starts peeling. Also, pumpkin muffins are delicious. 

Taking care of your skin shouldn’t just be about vanity. You’ve only got one face, so handle with care.