Do superfoods give you youthful-looking skin? If you truly are what you eat, it’s time to trade in your macarons and sea salt caramels for healthy options, especially if you’re concerned about the state of your skin. After all, choosing certain superfoods can improve your complexion and even smooth the surface of your skin. If you’re ready to take a hard look at the ingredients in your diet and in your skin care routine, here is a comprehensive list of superfoods worth checking out.

5 Superfoods For Youthful-Looking Skin

Pineapple

Did you know that the pineapple you can find in your local grocery store is a superfood? This delicious fruit is rich in vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial to your complexion. One of the main vitamin ingredients? Vitamin C which, as a skin care ingredient, targets the appearance of an uneven skin tone.

Pineapple also contains bromelain, enzymes which, when used in skin care, act as an effective natural exfoliant that can lift away dead skin cells. This gentle exfoliation softens the skin and visibly boosts the look of elasticity for a more youthful-looking complexion. Bromelain is also minimally irritating, making it ideal for all skin types including sensitive.

According to Healthline, the majority of studies on the efficacy of pineapple or bromelain have used concentrated pineapple extracts rather than fresh pineapple. “These extracts deliver much higher doses of bromelain to the skin.” Healthline also says, “If you want to experience the benefits of topical pineapple, try specially formulated skin care products made with bromelain or pineapple extract rather than applying fresh pineapple to your skin.”

Maria Marlowe, a certified holistic nutritionist and healthy recipe developer, adds pineapple to her morning smoothie to invigorate her complexion and leave the skin looking vibrant. Here's her tropical superfood recipe that she says is beneficial for "gut and skin health." 

Ingredients

• 1 cup pineapple, peeled and chopped
• 1 orange, peeled
• ½ inch piece of ginger, peeled (about 1 tsp) 
• ¼ cup plain coconut-based yogurt (or you can use dairy yogurt)
• 2 scoops collagen powder 
• 4-5 ice cubes 

Method 

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend on high until you have a smooth texture. Talk about easy! Including prep work, your smoothie should be done from beginning to end within 5-10 minutes. 

Kakadu Plum

This miniature pear-shaped superfruit is no bigger than an almond and is found in Australia. Kakadu plum is said to have the highest concentration of Vitamin C within the fruit family, more than 100 times higher than the Vitamin C content of oranges. Antioxidants naturally occur in our bodies. But we can also increase our antioxidant levels with nutrients. Kakadu plum contains the highest concentration of Vitamin C within the fruit family, more than 100 times the Vitamin C content of oranges. Adding this superfruit to your diet can help minimize the appearance of dark spots, protect against free radical damage, and improve overall skin radiance, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and preserving a youthful glow.

Kale

Kale boasts a ridiculously long list of nutrients including Vitamin A, B, C, K, calcium, iron, fibre and phytonutrients. These essential nutrients not only benefit the body internally but, when applied topically through skin care products, can assist with a variety of skin concerns and conditions. Kale preserves the skin’s hydration levels and prevents environmental stressors wreaking havoc on the skin (such as premature fine lines and wrinkles). Additionally, kale has rich levels of vitamins such as Vitamin C to help you achieve a brighter-looking complexion. Since kale is incredibly rich in a wide range of vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients (particularly Vitamin C), using skin care products containing kale can act like an all-around savior for our skin.

Mangosteen

You may have heard of mangosteen as “The Queen of Fruits.” Native to Southeast Asia, mangosteen is a superfruit that promotes natural radiance of the skin. It’s known as a superfruit because of its high antioxidant concentrations, specifically xanthones, which protect the skin in a number of ways. By capturing free radical compounds, xanthones prevent environmental skin damage while also helping to restore radiance to the skin and diminish the visible signs of aging. This fruit is covered in a leathery rind that protects the sweet, white fruit inside. The mangosteen fruit also promotes microcirculation, which improves the appearance of skin vitality. 

Camu Camu

In addition to Kakadu plum, the Amazonian camu camu berry is another superfruit packed with skin-glowing nutrients and 30 times more Vitamin C than oranges. Its potent antioxidant and Vitamin C content effectively addresses environmental stressors, promotes an even skin tone, and delivers powerful anti-aging benefits, making it a true superfood for the skin.

Due to their tartness, camu camu berries are not usually eaten as a snack. Instead, they are commonly freeze-dried into a powder or added to blended juices for consumption as a dietary supplement. This versatile superfruit can also be easily incorporated into smoothies or other types of food to boost your Vitamin C intake.

Are you noticing skin changes after including these superfoods in your diet or skin care routine? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. You can also discover a customized skin care routine for your skin type by visiting your nearest authorized Eminence Organics spa.