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Best Foods For Your Skin

Grapes, Strawberries, Blood Oranges, and Watermelon

Elina Fedotova of Elina Organics, says that colorful fruit are key to achieving good skin! She says, "Colorful fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, and healthy fats like butter or plant oils help improve skin immunity and protect against environmental UV damage. Liquid collagen is popular as a skin-rejuvenating food or supplement, but when you do that, make sure you are making the smoothie with collagen peptides. The collagen is broken into small pieces called peptides which absorb much better and signal your body to regenerate collagen." So clearly, collagen is vital if you want to have glowy skin.

Elina also says, "It is a scientifically proven fact that people who eat very high levels of antioxidant-rich diets with fruits and vegetables and anthocyanosides — they can stay in the sun without any protection much longer because their body can protect them naturally from UV damage." Her three rules for healthy skin?

1. No processed foods.
2. Eat tons of antioxidants.
3. Use an SPF — preferably one that is a mineral Zinc Oxide based — alongside protective hats in the sun.

So not only can certain foods make your skin look radiant, they can also protecting you from the sun with proper precautions! We love to hear that!

Leafy Greens, Broccoli, Asparagus, and Edamame

Leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, and edamame are some of our favorite foods to eat that will give you that inside-out glow. Nutritionist and wellness expert Jessica Green says, "Silica rich foods are a great place to start — these include celery, asparagus, banana, cucumber, green beans to name my favorite. When you juice some of these, they can become more bio-available. Celery juice for instance is excellent at giving your skin a beautiful natural glow. Collagen rich foods can help improve skin elasticity — bone broth is my absolute favorite for not only its skin benefit but bone broth is also very calming for the gut."

Skin elasticity can easily be improved through these foods and can make you look 10 years younger! I definitely notice a significant difference in my skin when I regularly eat collagen-rich foods than when I don't!

Avocado and Olive Oil

Avocados and olive oil are really going to up your skin game, and giving you that gorgeous glow for summer we're really looking for. Kristen White, RDN, CLT, says, "Clean fats like olive oil, avocados, coconut oil, and tallow in our diet help replenish needed vitamins and fatty acids to help skin look its vibrant best." That's exactly what we want!

In regards to olive oil, it really is the must-have when it comes to achieving a glowy complexion. Jenny Jiles, a holistic nutritionist says, "Olive oil is the GOAT. We know why all of those women in the Mediterranean look so vibrant and sexy as they age, because olive oil is such a staple in their diet. Don’t be afraid of this healthy fat, it’s filled with antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids which help protect your skin from free radicals to reduce those fine lines and help you glow from the inside out. Add olive oil to any and all of your meals, savory or sweet (yes, trust me on that)." So I guess the key to looking like an Italian goddess this summer (and always) is olive oil!

Chia, Flax Seeds, and Sunflower Seeds

Many seeds and grains are going to be crucial in giving you radiant skin. Plus, they have so many healing properties that can help reduce redness and inflammation in the skin. Christine Glaser, CEO of DIY Skincare Business, says, "Chia and flax seeds are also helpful for all skin types and can aid in toxin removal." And sunflower seeds actually have antibacterial properties too that help get rid of toxins in order to keep your skin looking fresh and clear; thus the radiant skin we're trying to achieve here!

Red Bell Peppers, Carrot, and Tomatoes

You always want to have a variety of colors when eating fruits and vegetables because this will help you get the most out of your diet and achieve maximum radiance. A health expert and dietician, Chrissy Arsenault of Kori, says, "Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Choose 2-3 colors of fruits and veggies at every meal – fruits and veggies are rich in antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E) that protect your skin from damage." And tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers are very rich in color so they will give you so many great nutritional benefits that will assist in giving you a perfect inside-out glow!

What foods should I avoid for my skin?

If you want radiant, clear, acne-free skin then you definitely want to avoid foods high in dairy or sugar. Jessica Green says, "When it comes to foods to avoid for radiant skin, sugar and dairy float to the top. Both are inflammatory. Sugar causes glycation which damages the skin's elasticity. Dairy (cow dairy specifically) tends to be one of the most common foods that cause reactions for people including acne and puffiness." I'm definitely taking note to try and cut our these foods now!

​Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate

“As we mature we have to exfoliate more due to our skin not turning over as quickly as it did years ago which leaves our skin more dry, textural, and lackluster,” says Taylor. When we neglect exfoliation in our skincare routine, this can contribute to makeup not blending smoothly into the face and appearing flakey. However, it’s important to avoid any exfoliating products with harsh formulas that can damage the skin barrier. A gentle exfoliant that’s great for everyday use is Dermalogica's Mini Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator which starts as a dry rice-based powder and develops into a smooth, foamy texture when activated with water.

​Choose Your Skincare Routine Wisely

“Layering in serums and oils can make a major improvement in our skin prep as we mature,” shared Taylor. “Your makeup can only look as good as your skin prep.” Serums can be a splurge item, but our favorite anti-aging regenerating option from Olay can be snagged from the drugstore for under $30 and applied morning and night for an extra surge of hydration. As for oil, Herbivore’s $15 Botanicals Phoenix facial oil uses rosehip, CoQ10, and botanical extracts to provide hydrating and anti-aging properties to dry, mature skin types.

​Your Primer Matters

“Opt for a hydrating primer versus a mattifying or silicone face primer,” Taylor says. Our favorite is clean beauty brand, MILK Makeup’s, Hydro Grip primer which utilizes niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for extra hydration and all-day makeup stay.

​Switch To A Fluid Foundation

Taylor shared that when it comes to using makeup to look younger, “liquid or cream foundations are preferred over powder or matte foundations.” By using a liquid formula, you’ll avoid a makeup base that emphasizes fine lines. Although it only offers light coverage, the Tinted Cover from NUDESTIX glides onto the skin smoothly without creasing to provide an even skin tone and a flawless natural makeup finish.

​Reach For A Cream Blush

“Consider switching to a cream blush with a higher placement to illuminate and lift cheeks,” says Taylor. She also offered that “one of [her] favorite cream blushes is the Kulfi Mehndi Moment Long-Wear cream clean blush in [the shade] Pinky Promise for a natural, lifted look.”

​Creamy Textures Are Favored

If you’re hoping to hide dark spots, concealer likely has a permanent spot in your makeup bag. However, something to take into account when using this product is that it has a texture creamy enough that it won’t settle into lines. “Always check the texture on the back of your hand before purchasing,” advised Taylor. “When choosing concealers, going too light can accentuate under-eye issues - opt for a more direct match to your skin for the most natural look.” Erica’s current favorite crease-proof hydrating concealer is the Kulfi Main Match.

Choose A Lipstick That Sticks

Lipstick that bleeds away from where you want it to stay can be a problem especially heighten for those with fine lines around their mouth area. To combat this, Erica “suggests using a satin and cream lipstick that won't accentuate fine lines.” She went on to mention that lip products with a balm-like formula are great for creating a makeup look that makes you look more youthful. Taylor’s favorite is the Kulfi Heirloom Satin Lipstick, but Maybelline’s SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick is another affordable option that provides beautiful results.

"I thought [Princess Diaries 2] would be a really fun thing to do and it turned out to be great," she tells Variety. "I always think it's funny now because I'm working with Julie Andrews now on Bridgerton, but I also spent time writing her as a queen in that movie, and so it was kind of great to get to work with her both times. It's also sort of come full circle in a weird way."

Shonda Rhimes goes on to explain one cut scene she remembers really fondly — and how Andrews' expert performance made it even more heartbreaking to cut. "That was pretty much one of my favorite scenes," she says. "It was this moment where Julie Andrews [has] had her heart broken, and some staff comes in and they start to ask her a question and she screams, 'Do I never get a moment to myself?!' and it was such an amazing moment the way she played it, and the elegance with which she did it. It's really about the pain of being a queen."

"She did it so well," Rhimes continues. "But in general, honestly, she's the nicest person you will ever meet and she was so nice to me, I was nervous to meet her, I was shaking, [but she's] so lovely."

After Julie Andrews sent the sweetest graduation gift to a fan, I'm not surprised to hear how incredible she is. I still have my fingers crossed that we'll see Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries 3 — and that Shonda Rhimes will return as screenwriter.