Eat Your Way to a Better Complexion

Suffering from breakouts, dry skin, or wrinkles? Well, Beauties, eating specific foods can help solve those problems! While we all know it's important to maintain a healthy diet, there are certain foods that you can include in your meals to improve these pesky conditions. We spoke with New York City-based integrative nutritionist and author Esther Blum (she releases her latest book, The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project: 3 Months to a New You, in March 2012) to find out which foods do what, and learn that you really are what you eat!

Breakouts

"You need to think of your skin as your intestines turned inside out, so you want to heal your stomach to treat your face," says Esther. "Foods that are rich in zinc, like oysters, are great for preventing breakouts, and foods high in probiotics, such as Greek yogurt, will heal your gut. Dark fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, blueberries, broccoli, and kale are also wonderful at providing antioxidants, which will help your skin to repair itself."

Dry Skin

"A major way to combat dry skin is by introducing more oil into your diet," says Esther. "Two to three teaspoons of fish oil a day is fantastic, and you should see a change in your skin within two weeks. Absorbing this via liquid form is much better than a supplement.” You can also eat more foods that contain good fats, such as avocados.

Rosacea

"Rosacea is a tricky condition to manage, and it’s different for each person," says Esther. “It’s best to stay away from chocolate, red wine, dairy, and any gluten. Wild Alaskan salmon is excellent for rosacea, as is a green juice made up of kale, spinach, and lemon juice—both are quite calming. All of the juiced vegetables are passively absorbed, so your stomach soaks them right up.”

Wrinkles

"It sounds cliché, but foods that are bright and colorful are rich in antioxidants, which are great for wrinkles," says Esther. "Cantaloupes, oranges, and watermelons all have high water and antioxidant content, which is great for hydrating and plumping up your skin. It's also good to have lots of protein, so include eggs, lamb, and wild Alaskan salmon in your diet.”