Five Foods to Eat for Glowing Skin– College Student Edition

College leads to stressful times, causing students to feel pressure that lead to negative impacts on the inside and out. During nights of last-minute assignments and cramming for exams, it’s inevitable for students to see an increase in stress, which can cause bad breakouts and dull, dry skin. Due to devoting almost all of their time to schoolwork, it’s common that students will fail to keep up with their daily skincare as well.

Avoiding flareups in college is almost impossible. It’s more than likely that students will start to see their skin look worse at some point, but incorporating the right foods into your diet can be crucial toward helping breakouts clear up and leading to hydrated, glowing skin. To work on acquiring the complexion you want and deserve, consume these five healthy foods packed with vitamins and antioxidants on a daily basis.

1. Lemon

With vitamin C, vitamin B and phosphorus, the natural acids found in lemon can help to remove dead skin cells and lighten dark spots. While lemon can be directly applied on the skin as it’s often used as an astringent to help close pores and tighten the face, putting it in your body is another strong route toward restoring bright, glossy skin. Try squeezing it into warm water to have as a drink first thing in the morning, which is also great for your digestion, or onto fish and vegetables for a burst of flavor.

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are an exceptional superfood that are packed with antioxidants to help fight skin aging. They boost the strength of collagen fibers and reduce inflammation-based skin conditions as well. With a rich blue color, these berries are beautiful, and there are so many different ways to use them. Add them into a smoothie or on top of oatmeal, or even just eat them as a healthy replacement for dessert.

3. Salmon

The next food that will bring you closer to a flawless complexion is one of my absolute favorites, salmon! With a long list of skin benefits, its inclusion of dimethylethanolaminel (DMAE) is its most valuable one. DMAE strengthens cell membranes, which reduces deterioration that can lead to premature aging. Also, DMAE works with vitamin B to increase levels of acetylcholine, which is essential for maintaining a smooth, firm face.

4. Avocado

Another superfood, avocado is an essential fruit to integrate into your diet for healthy, glowing skin. Avocados contain monosaturated fatty acids, which contribute to two key benefits for the skin. Not only helping to protect the skin by decreasing premature aging, these healthy fats, which help you absorb fat-soluble vitamins, also provide protection from the sun. Personally, my favorite way to eat an avocado is to mash it up and put it on two pieces of toasted whole wheat bread, another food that ironically does wonders for the skin!

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a phytochemical that strengthens collagen, the protein that keeps individuals’ skin looking youthful. An acidic fruit, a tomato is also rich in potassium and vitamin C, which both contribute to hydration and glow. Tomatoes are very versatile as they can be eaten in salads or on top of avocado toast. They can even be sautéed and served on top of pasta, which is more ideal as cooking these fruits increases the lycopene found in them.