Eat These 9 Plants for Healthier Skin

Facial cleansers, serums, and lotions are often the first things that come to mind when we think of skincare routines and skin health. But did you know the foods you eat could also help improve your skin? More specifically, whole-food plant-based ingredients can help boost skin health due to their robust nutritional profiles. This isn’t a greenlight to toss out your expensive products. Instead, try incorporating these nine foods into your diet to further help your skin look its best.

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Is a plant-based diet good for your skin?

First up, let’s be clear, the very best thing you can do for your skin regardless of how sunny (or cloudy) the weather may be is to wear SPF. Sunscreen helps protect against the sun’s harmful rays, which can cause burning, premature aging, and skin cancer. Find our guide here for the best vegan sunscreens.

But another great way to support your skin’s health is through diet. Plant-based foods are particularly beneficial for the skin because they contain plenty of vitamins and minerals, and boast antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Want to learn more about which ones are best? Find our list below.

RELATED: The Best Foods for Strong Healthy Nails, According to a Dietitian

Vegan foods for healthy beautiful skin

Incorporating these nine plant foods into your diet could help boost your skin’s health.  

Estella Schweizer

1 Tomatoes

Slice them, dice them, put them on a sandwich, or include them in your next kale salad. Tomatoes are packed with the antioxidant lycopene, which helps protect your skin from age-inducing free radicals. This Heirloom Tomato Salad is a tasty way to load up on tomatoes during your lunch break.
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Laura Theodore

2 Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and help keep the skin hydrated, making them one of your greatest allies in the battle against wrinkles. Recently, flaxseeds went viral on TikTok after beauty influencers claimed flaxseed facials yielded results similar to Botox injections. According to a number of health experts, flaxseed can in fact help boost skin health, but the best way to get the benefits of flaxseeds is by consuming them. You can get your flax fix with these vegan blueberry-coconut oat bars. 
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Pexels

3 Dark chocolate

Keeping a clear complexion can be pretty sweet—the cocoa powder in dark chocolate is filled with anti-aging antioxidants known as flavonoids. To satiate your sweet tooth and maintain your healthy glow, we recommend keeping some dark chocolate cups on hand for mid-morning or afternoon snacking.
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Hannah Sunderani

4 Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin C, a nutrient that may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by bolstering collagen in the skin. For a full serving of this youth-boosting veggie, try our stuffed sweet potatoes, or these tasty smoky vegan sweet potato tacos.
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So Vegan

5 Spinach

Spinach is packed with nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C, both of which are associated with maintaining good skin health. Vitamin C, in particular, is key for collagen production, which is the protein responsible for strengthening skin and helping to keep it looking firm and supple. To get more spinach into your diet, try making this delicious creamy vegan spinach ravioli. 
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Alejandra Schrader

6 Citrus fruit

Citrus fruits pack a powerful punch of vitamins and nutrients that help keep your skin smooth and silky. Under their thick skin, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes present a plethora of flavonoids and a huge helping of vitamin C. Citrus fruits have also been linked with lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Eat them solo, incorporate them in your favorite poolside drinks, or enjoy them in this grapefruit and fennel salad.
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Vegan Richa

7 Safflower oil

While safflower oil may come in handy in preparing tofu scrambles or crisping your favorite vegan bacon, it also helps to protect and moisturize skin when applied topically. Besides external use, incorporating safflower, which has anti-inflammatory properties, in your cooking also promotes dermatological health, and may be useful in treating skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Try this healthy, flavorful roasted cauliflower dish.
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Desiree Nielsen

8 Walnuts

Walnuts are another superfood laden with omega-3 fatty acids. They will also help you feel as young as you look, as they are linked with good heart health and low cholesterol. Serve walnuts as an entrée in this plum and radicchio salad or incorporate them into your dessert menu with this no-bake, stewed berry coconut cake.
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Ruth Barnes

9 Carrots

Carrots’ high levels of beta-carotene will provide you with vitamin A and antioxidants that are crucial for healthy skin. Go simple and pair some carrot sticks with your favorite brand of hummus, or infuse a Moroccan influence into your evening meals with this spicy carrot salad. 
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