When I first developed an interest in creating a skin-care routine, I wasted precious time and dollars testing out various products that ended up doing more harm than good—at least for my sensitive, acne-prone skin.

If this sounds like you, keep reading.

When I say “skin-care routine,” I don’t just mean the topical products you may apply; I am also referring to your daily habits: the foods you eat, your cleanliness, etc.

So before splurging your money on an intensive, acid-infused skin-care regime, have you ever considered eating your way to gorgeous skin?

It really can be as simple as it sounds.

BELOW, 5 AFFORDABLE FOOD STAPLES TO HEAL YOUR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE-OUT:

#1. Tomatoes

First up, tomatoes!

I would be an absolute liar if I said I enjoyed consuming tomatoes.

However, if you worry about your skin being damaged from frequent or prolonged Sun exposure, eat your tomatoes.

The lycopene found in tomatoes prevents skin photo-damage and is also great at soothing irritated and inflamed skin, making it a suitable choice for those with oily, acne-prone skin.

I’d say tomatoes are almost like edible sunscreen.



How to incorporate tomatoes into your diet:

Tomato sauces, pastes, and juices are a great way of sneaking this food into your diet if you’re not a fan, but please be weary of added sugars as they are damaging to the skin.

General rule for skin health: the less added ingredients, the better!

#2. Blueberries

Up next, blueberries!

These tiny, but mighty, anti-oxidant rich berries work wonders for our bodies.

Increase your blueberry intake and you can expect your complexion to brighten up and transform over some time.

Blueberries regenerate and repair the skin, even serving as gentle skin-exfoliators due to their naturally occurring fruit acids (AHA’s).

How to incorporate blueberries into your diet:

Snack on a handful of these berries on their own or add them to your smoothies / bowls.

#3. Sweet Potatoes

On to my personal favorite, sweet potatoes!

Out of all the foods I experiment with, these are by far the most reliable food for skin-renewal.

Their orange color is due to the high levels of beta-carotene they contain (like carrots).

According to Dr. Nadia Musavvir, “high beta-carotene content is essentially a retinol ‘precursor’”.

Your body converts the beta-carotene into retinol (or vitamin A).

Retinol is a very popular ingredient found in many topical serums to combat the signs of aging; consuming it orally has some skin benefits too. Edible skincare!

How to incorporate sweet potatoes into your diet:

Thinly slice your sweet potatoes, cover them in olive oil and season, then bake or fry!

You can have these as a side dish: homemade sweet potato fries or chips.

#4. Green tea

Do you suffer from acne, even as an adult?

If you do, green tea is the way to go!

Powerfully antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-aging, the EGCG that this tea contains is responsible for combating oily skin, ultimately slowing down the development of acne.

How to incorporate green tea into your diet:

Consuming matcha green tea latte’s is a fun place to start for newbies; however, these are usually sweetened with added sugars that may take away from this tea’s skin-related benefits.

Make a cup of regular green tea at home and add some lemon if you like—I would recommend having it after a full meal like lunch.

Last but not least…

#5. Avocados

This delicious and fatty fruit increases the elasticity of your skin as well as its firmness.

It also provides significant repair for damaged skin; the high concentration of vitamin E moisturizes the skin and strengthens its barrier.

Avocados keep your skin looking plump, supple, and fresh!

How to incorporate avocados into your diet:

My go-to breakfast is to slice your avocados, season to your liking, drizzle on some olive oil, and squeeze a little lemon on top.

Sourdough toast pairs great with the citrusy avocado spread.

If you aren’t a fan of the taste, try sneaking half an avocado in a banana-heavy smoothie!

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The list of superfoods for your skin’s health most definitely does not end here.

This is a collection of my top 5 skin-healing and nourishing foods—I have personally witnessed their impressive results.

Please keep in mind that there are also certain popular foods that do great damage to your skin!

Balance is key; trial and error will bring you the utmost clarity and success.