Fruits are known to be good for our health, but did you know they are equally great for our skin?
It is necessary to treat your skin externally with topical skincare products but to get that glow, your skin needs proper nourishment from inside. Fruits can do that for you.
You may already know that fruits can help you improve your skin health. However, what you might not be fully aware of is the right fruit to invest in.
In this article, we will be taking a close look at some of the best fruits that can really help you get healthy and glowing skin. Unlike many other articles on the internet, I won’t give you a lengthy and muddled list of 15 or 20 fruits. I will only highlight the fruits that have the greatest benefits for your skin. Let’s begin, then.
Why are fruits important for skin?
Fruits are a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support healthy skin. Fruits are not only delicious and refreshing, but they also have a lot of skin-friendly properties.
Incorporating fruits into your daily diet may do wonders for your skin, whether you’re trying to improve your complexion, counteract aging or stop annoying breakouts.
The loads of antioxidants present in fruit can help to combat free radicals that can damage skin cells and contribute to premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin issues. The presence of antioxidants also makes them excellent detoxifiers.
The high water content in fruits helps keep the skin hydrated which is essential in preventing dryness and maintaining skin elasticity. They can also help in increasing collagen production leading to much firmer and healthier skin.
Certain fruits contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that can calm skin inflammation, irritation and redness. They also help in improving body’s ability to build and repair tissues.
Fruits not only benefit in healthy skin but are also crucial in preventing and treating many skin problems. Research has shown that certain fruits are highly capable of fighting acne and blemishes and can also control hyperpigmentation by fading dark spots.
7 Best Fruits for Skin
Here are some of the best fruits that can significantly improve your skin health:
Blueberries
Blueberry is considered one of the best fruits for skin health for many reasons. It is one of the few fruits that can provide all-round benefits for your skin.
It is a rich source of many useful compounds. One of the key reasons blueberries are hailed as a skincare powerhouse is their high concentration of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins.
These antioxidants assist in defending the skin against free radicals, which are known for speeding the aging process and causing skin damage.
Blueberries give you a more youthful appearance by scavenging these damaging free radicals, which also helps to lessen the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
Blueberries are rich in vitamin C and E and also contain large amount of retinol and vitamin A. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production which enhances the firmness and suppleness of the skin, giving it a naturally plump and youthful appearance.
Also, vitamin E works as a potent moisturizer, preserving the skin’s moisture and averting dryness, flakiness, and dullness.
Consuming blueberries as part of a healthy diet has the potential to balance the gut microbiome, which is crucial in a number of skin conditions. In addition to that, its anti-inflammatory properties can calm and soothe irritated or inflamed skin, reducing redness and promoting an even complexion.
A common unknown for many people is the topical application of blueberries. If used topically, Anthocyanin found in blueberries is highly capable of preventing collagen degradation on skin.
It can also protect the outer layer of skin from extreme sun damage and can also improve the skin barrier function. That is why it is widely used in many skincare products as well.
Avocado
If its taste is the reason why you are not eating avocado, I can offer you a more strong reason on why you should start eating it.
Avocado is a superfood in true sense and a powerful one for achieving clear and glowing skin. It is one of the healthiest fruit for skin. There aren’t many foods that have as much of the healthy fats that avocados have.
These good fats give the skin a natural radiant glow by hydrating and moisturizing it from the inside out. Every skin type can benefit from avocados’ nourishing qualities because they aid in replenishing and retaining moisture, making the skin soft and supple.
Moreover, the high content of antioxidant in it helps in combating the sign of premature aging and improves overall skin complexion. It also boosts collagen, thus improving skin’s elasticity.
The topical application of avocado is even more beneficiary. For people with dry and dehydrated skin, using avocado as a face mask can do wonders. Its anti-microbial properties can help people with acne-prone skin as it fights acne and controls breakouts.
Just mash it up and apply it firmly to your face. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. You can also use over-the-counter avocado oil instead of that.
Papaya
Papaya is not only delicious but also packed with incredible benefits for your skin. The rich content of nutrients in papaya is highly capable of providing you a glowing and radiant skin.
Carotenoids, an antioxidant present in papaya can prevent collagen breakdown providing anti-aging benefits. Many studies have suggested that papaya can also help in making the skin bright by fading scars and pigmentation. The enzymes present in papaya are extremely helpful in reducing skin inflammation.
One of its standout qualities is its ability to exfoliate and renew your skin, making it a true enzymatic wonder. An enzyme called papain found in papaya works as a natural exfoliant.
This potent enzyme gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion below. Since exfoliating helps to clear pores, stop breakouts, and even out skin tone, it is crucial for keeping healthy skin.
So along with dietary consumption, the topical application of papaya is equally beneficiary.
Papaya is capable of penetrating even up to the inner layers of skin which helps in deep cleansing of the skin. It can also moisturize the skin and can help in treating skin conditions like eczema.
Watermelon
Watermelon offers several benefits for the skin due to its high water content, essential vitamins, and antioxidants.
Packed with a high water content of around 92%, this fruit is a natural source of hydration for your skin. It can be considered one of the best fruit for skin hydration.
The abundance of vitamins and minerals found in watermelon further adds to its skin-nourishing qualities. It contains plenty of vitamin A, which is essential for fostering healthy cell growth and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
In addition, the presence of vitamin C helps to increase collagen formation, giving rise to firmer, more elastic skin. The high vitamin C content in watermelon can also help improve skin tone and brighten dull or uneven skin.
Lycopene, a potent antioxidant well-known for its capacity to combat damaging free radicals, is also abundant in watermelon. This antioxidant encourages a healthy complexion by shielding the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and sun damage and promotes a healthy complexion.
Also, the astringent properties of watermelon allow it to shrink skin tissues which help in improving overall skin texture. In addition to that, its strong anti-inflammatory properties help calm skin down.
Also Read: 6 Essential Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Oranges
Oranges are well known for their high vitamin C content. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, UV radiation, and environmental pollutants.
Oranges’ vitamin C can aid in fading hyperpigmentation, black patches, and uneven skin tone. Orange eating on a regular basis or the use of skin care products containing orange extract can promote a more radiant complexion.
Oranges have a high water content, which can help keep the skin hydrated and maintain its moisture balance. The natural citric acid in oranges can act as a mild exfoliant, gently removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. This can result in smoother and fresher-looking skin.
It also supports collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and a youthful appearance. This is why it is considered one of the top fruit for skin brightening and reducing skin dullness.
Grapes
Grapes, whether consumed as a fruit or applied topically, are really good for skin. Grapes are packed with antioxidants, including resveratrol, flavonoids, and vitamin C.
The presence of resveratrol in grapes has been linked to anti-aging effects. Resveratrol is well known for promoting cellular longevity and supporting the formation of collagen, which is necessary for preserving the suppleness and firmness of skin.
Vitamin C, present in grapes, plays a crucial role in reducing the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
The high water content of grapes helps in keeping skin hydrated for longer periods of time. The antioxidants in grapes can contribute to skin regeneration and repair. They can help support the healing process of wounds, cuts, and other skin injuries.
Grapes are among the best fruits when it comes to sun protection ability. The topical application of grapes is highly beneficial in clearing out toxins from skin, improving skin’s inner health and rejuvenating it.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is notable for having strong anti-inflammatory qualities. Punicalagins and ellagic acid, two substances present in pomegranate are believed to aid lessen skin irritation and redness.
These ingredients function by neutralizing free radicals, reducing inflammation, and shielding the skin from harm brought on by external stimuli.
Pomegranate can produce outstanding benefits in your skincare regimen, whether you have sensitive skin, acne, or rosacea. As a result of its anti-inflammatory characteristics, inflamed skin can be calmed and soothed, reducing redness and fostering a more even skin tone.
Moreover, pomegranate is a rich source of vitamin C, a vital nutrient for collagen production. Its extract also contains antimicrobial properties that can help control the growth of acne-causing bacteria, potentially reducing breakouts.
Also Read: 6 Worst Food Combinations for Skin Health
Can Some Fruits Pose Risk to Your Skin?
Yes, but very rarely!
Some citrus fruits may cause breakouts worsening the existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Certain fruits, such as strawberries and pineapples, are known to release histamine or trigger histamine release in the body. Individuals with histamine intolerance might experience skin reactions like hives, redness, or itching after consuming these fruits.
Some fruits contain enzymes that might cause irritation or allergies in some people when applied directly to the skin. For example, papain in papaya and bromelain in pineapple can be irritating for some skin types.
Another extremely important thing to remember is not to overconsume fruits with higher glycemic index as they can spike the blood sugar level and trigger insulin resulting in excess sebum production. Some fruits with high GI are mango, banana, raisins, pineapple and dried cranberries.
Few Tips for Extra Benefits
A minor but quite important thing to consider while consuming fruits is to prefer them eating raw rather than drinking fruit juice since the juice digests much quicker which can elevate blood sugar level.
It is better not to mix fruits with any kind of dairy product. It might be a common breakfast combination for many of you but it may negatively impact the skin for some people.
Always prefer fully riped seasonal fruit to get full benefit. And wash them properly under running water before eating them.
Since fruits don’t take much longer time to digest, so it is preferred to eat them about 30 minutes before eating a heavy meal as heavy meal takes longer time to digest.
