4 Foods to Eat for Glowing Skin, Plus 4 to Avoid

The saying “you are what you eat,” may have some truth to it after all. Research shows that the foods you chow down on have the power to make or break your complexion. From olive oil that protects against sun damage to salty snacks that trigger puffiness, our diet really does affect the appearance of our skin. Want to learn more? In this video, we’re spotlighting four eats that can help keep you looking radiant, plus four that can get in the way of your glow.

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Olive oil: One more reason to love the Mediterranean diet staple that’s loaded with heart-healthy fats? Its antioxidants counteract damaging chemical reactions in the body that can age the skin. Yes, please.

Blueberries: The sweet summer berries contain key vitamins that brighten skin and fight off free radical damage that can lead to signs of aging. Berry nice!

Pomegranates: The fruit’s brilliant seeds are packed with a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins, as well as ellagic acid, which may reduce the skin’s breakdown of collagen and fight UV damage from the sun.

Lobster: Go ahead and splurge on the lobster. The shellfish is high in zinc, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm acne.

Sugar: Loading up on sugar can cause glycation, a process that messes with collagen—the protein that keeps us looking youthful—in the skin. Nothing sweet about that.

Alcohol: Keep this in mind that next time you’re knocking them back: Alcohol can damage the liver, which helps to filter toxins out of the body. If the liver isn’t able to do its job, those toxins can accumulate. And that can lead to facial flushing, spider-like swollen blood vessels, and even skin yellowing due to jaundice.

Salt: Canned foods often come with a sky-high sodium content that can prompt the body to retain water, making you look puffy.

Processed meats: Eats like deli meats, sausage, and bacon are all high in nitrites, a preservative that can cause inflammation. Meatless Monday never sounded so good.