Smart Living: Foods For A Flawless Face

By: Melanie Bloom - Email

Posted: Mon 7:46 AM, Feb 11, 2013

The skincare industry is a billion dollars business. Stores are filled with creams and potions to give you healthy, glowing skin.

Experts tell us that what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your face.

Four foods will help you put your best face forward.

Joyce Farah, MD, Dermatologist at Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY, says that your skin is a very good reflection of what is going on internally.

Dr. Farah says if you want clear skin, change your diet.

She recommends you start with anti-inflammatory super seeds like flax and chia.

"They are both very rich in Omega-3 fatty acids," says Dr. Farah.

They also help skin retain moisture.

Next, she recommends probiotics.

"Probiotics, basically, are beneficial bacteria and yeast," says Dr. Farah.

You can find them in yogurt, kefir, buttermilk and even supplements.

They increase good bacteria in your body, which stimulates the skin's protective mechanism.

Dietitian Maureen Franklin from Registered Dietician Upstate Medical University says to pick purple produce. It neutralizes free radicals that damage skin.

"The darker the color, it has the ability, the potential, to have four-times the amount of antioxidants in it," says Franklin.

It also improves circulation to help the skim form new cells, collagen and elastin.

Health experts also say that you can combat dull skin if you cook with ginger, cinnamon and curry powder.

"It can decrease the production of melanin from your melanocytes, so it can help to even out some of this skin pigmentation," says Dr. Farah.

'You are what you eat,' a lot of times, I think is a very important thing to think about for people," says Franklin.

You can also load up your lunch for a cleaner face.

Foods that contain prebiotics stimulate good bacteria. You can find them in whole grains, bananas, onions and garlic.

One last thing that doctors recommend to patients who want clear skin: sunscreen. Dr. Farah says that you need it everyday, even when it is cloudy and when it is cold.