The Martha Stewart Show

Food for Healthy Skin

The Martha Stewart Show

Beauty expert Eva Scrivo chats with Martha about the foods you should be eating for healthy and glowing skin.

Good Food for Great Skin

Who wouldn't want beautiful and glowing skin? One important and sometimes overlooked way of achieving this is by watching what you eat. What you put into your body reflects what shows on the outside.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from environmental damage. Many foods -- pink grapefruit, watermelon, and tomatoes, for example -- are rich in lycopene. Tomatoes are the best source of lycopene; it is easier to absorb lycopene from cooked or processed tomatoes.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids -- found in salmon, flax seed, and walnuts -- are essential for healthy hydrated skin.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an excellent source of antioxidants that strengthen skin tissue and help skin repair itself. It has properties capable of penetrating deep within the skin to provide healthier and younger-looking skin. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, pink grapefruits, red peppers, papayas, broccoli, kale, and baked potatoes. Himalayan goji juice is also extremely high in vitamin C; goji berries contain 500 times the amount of vitamin C, by weight, than oranges. For more information on goji, visit gojiisbetter.com.

Minerals
Scientists believe the selenium mineral plays a role in skin-cancer prevention. Taken in a supplement form or in a cream, it protects skin from sun damage. Dietary sources of selenium include whole grain cereals, seafood, garlic, and eggs.

Zinc
This skin-friendly mineral is important if you have acne because it tames oil production. Food sources of zinc include oysters, lean meat, and poultry.

Resources
Skin-care products rich in the same nutrients, such as good-quality cleansers and moisturizing lotions and creams, can help obtain healthy skin. Garnier Nutritioniste has a line of products rich in nutrients. For more information, visit garniernutritioniste.com

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The Martha Stewart Show

Food for Healthy Skin

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