“Forget about the perfect blowout, red lip, or even killer outfit. Nothing looks as good as that glow that radiates from the inside out. It’s youthful, radiant and gives people a little glimpse into your soul. The truth is, the secret to flawless, glowing, irresistible skin is not found in your favorite beauty store (no matter how many dollar bills you throw its way). Trust us, we have both battled everything from dry skin to embarrassing red angry acne and the scars they left behind. What finally worked in clearing it all up and gave us the skin we only dreamed of was not a miracle in a jar or purchased off of an infomercial — it was food. Food is what actually feeds, repairs, and rejuvenates your skin cells. Just like your eyes are a window into your soul, your skin is a window into your digestive system and when you aren’t eating the right nutrients for your body, your skin is going to tell you – and the rest of the world. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and also happens to be one of your best vehicles for detoxing.

Eating for your skin is easy, fun and actually delicious when you know what to look for! And the good news is, all the foods that help your skin glow also happen to keep your body strong and healthy. So while you’re feeding your skin, you’re also feeding your sexy body.”

1. Get Green, Get Glowing

“Dark leafy greens are Queen when it comes to medicine for the skin. They contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that replenish your skin, hydrate your cells, and get you GLOWING. Most dark leafy greens come rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are key for stimulating collagen production in skin cells (which is essential for the elasticity of your skin). Beta-carotene also helps heal sensitivity in skin by reducing damage that has been caused over time to skin cells. Additionally, as these greens detox your skin, they also help you get rid of skin impurities that are caused by a build up of toxins in your body over time. We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: aim to eat 4-8 dark, leafy, sexy greens a day.”

Think: kale, collards, spinach, beet greens, and arugula

2. Fats

“Essential fatty acids (like omegas) are the fats that your body can’t make on its own. And guess what? They are GOLD for your skin! EFAs are the building blocks of healthy, luscious cell membranes (your skin is a whole lot of cells) and help keep the skin hydrated, plump, and radiant by playing a critical role in producing the skin’s natural oils and increasing blood flow. They also often come packed with other skin-loving nutrients. Nuts, for example, also deliver high doses of vitamin E and selenium, nutrients often deficient in the body that help prevent breakouts while fighting against free radicals. Without these bad boys, your skin gets dry, inflamed, and pimply.”

Think: avocado, nuts, hemp seeds, beans, flax, eggs, and grains

3. Eat with the seasons, with the locals

“Your skin needs different support depending on the effect the season is having on it, and lucky for us, Mother Nature has got your back. When it’s summer, eat foods that are produced in the summer as these will nourish your skin with what it needs to combat the heat and sun. When it’s winter, put away those raw veggie sticks and start cooking sweet potatoes. The foods that are being harvested in your neck of the woods will also help your skin cope with the stresses caused by the climate in your area. Eating seasonally and locally gives your skin exactly what you need, when you need it. Pretty magical, eh?”

4. Get herbal

“Herbs are often overlooked when it comes to nutrition, but they are such a key staple in the ultimate beauty routine! Herbs can be used as serious healers for specific skin conditions, but they also provide great general support to your skin in the form of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. They also rid your skin of harmful bacteria and nourish it with the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Brew some in tea or mix it in your morning smoothie for the ultimate beauty elixir.”

Think: basil, amla, ashwagandha, chamomile, dandelion, burdock, fennel, sage, rose hips

5. Hydrating Veggies

“When your food options are limited (we’re talking to you vegan, gluten-free, raw enthusiasts), you often have to resort to dried, packaged foods for sustenance. And while there is nothing wrong with some organic almond butter smeared on top of ezekial toast, that meal is not doing any wonders for your skin. Yes, there are some good fats in there, but your skin NEEDS hydration in order to glow. This is where your farm fresh, water-rich veggies come into play. Take beets for example: beets are composed of 75% water that, rather then going through your system and detoxing your body like the water you drink, actually hydrates your SKIN. It’s also loaded with phytoceramides, lipids that come from plants and help prevent wrinkles as well as sagging skin by nourishing cellular walls. Think about the difference between a plump grape and a wrinkly raisin — what’s the difference? Water. Do you want to be a plump grape or a wrinkly raisin? Yeah, thought so.”

Think: Beets, cucumbers, celery, watercress, carrots

6. Limit Alcohol Intake/Drink Water Between Drinks

“Your goddess-like skin is not something we expect you to keep to yourself, but when you are out on the town sharing that light with the world, it’s important not to harm your skin. Keep in mind the 1:1 ratio of a glass of water per alcoholic drink in order to balance the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Save your skin and yes, spare you the hangover. Try sticking to clear alcohol like vodka, gin and anejo tequila. These clear alcohols contain less congener than their dark counterparts. Congeners are to blame for that head-to-toe dry feeling Sunday. It’s all about balance, baby.”

7. Boost Inside, Glow Outside

“If you aren’t already taking a daily probiotic to support your digestion, try them for your skin’s sake! A hydrated, clean gut translates into hydrated clear skin and helps your body efficiently absorb the nutrients from your food — the nutrients that are plumping, hydrating, and repairing your skin. Including a probiotic in your diet is essential when looking to hydrate your body from the inside out. When your gut is thriving, your skin is too.”

Think: Floracor-GI – it’s a prebiotic probiotic enzyme that will rock your world.

8. Get [Mineral] Rich

“It seems like we are all increasing our intake of water these days to stay hydrated, energized, and toxin-free (yay!). But the question is; are you paying attention to what exactly is in your water? If you aren’t, it’s time to start. Make sure that your water is rich in minerals. Cells require electrolytes in order to pick up nutrients, water, and oxygen in your bloodstream, so if you are low in minerals, your cells won’t be fully nourished, healthy, and plump — which translates to serious skin issues. Our favorite mineral is silica, a trace mineral that is known to make water wetter and provide deep cellular hydration for your body. It also helps your body form healthy connective tissue, so while it’s hydrating your skin from the inside out, it’s also plumping it for the ultimate sexy glow.”

Think: Sakara Beauty Water! It has all the minerals (including silica!) your body needs and your skin craves.