Best and worst foods for your skin at every age

In your 30s, you don’t wear the same thigh-high minis and low cut tops you wore in your teens nor do you wear the same makeup. That's just a fashion and beauty given. The way you take care of your skin as you age also needs to evolve. Since what you eat (and don't eat) is a huge piece of the skincare puzzle, that means constantly adjusting your diet to support your skin is a must. In this episode, “Today” Show health expert Joy Bauer tells us what foods we should be adding to our daily menu from our teens onward, to ensure a gorgeous glowing complexion.

What you eat affects your skin-- we all know that one by now-- but the truth is actually more nuanced than that statement. The kind of support your skin needs evolves our time and if you want to give your skin the right nutrients, pay attention to the issues age brings. Here’s what Joy Bauer recommends:

Teens and 20s

Most people in this age bracket are prone to breakouts. Limiting the amount of sugar in your diet will help keep breakouts at bay. Cut down on sweet treats and soda. If you need a sugar fix, smart substitutes are dark chocolate and frozen berries and cherries, which are also rich in antioxidants.

30s

Maintain your youthful glow by stocking up on fruits and veggies with beta-carotene, otherwise known as “nature’s exfoliant,” says Joy. Eating lots of orange colored foods (like carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin and sweet potato) plus dark green leafy veggies will help rid your skin of old cells and create new ones. 

40s

Minimizing wrinkles is the main mission at this age and eating foods that are packed with vitamin C can help a great deal. Joy calls out bell peppers (any color), Brussels sprouts, and broccoli as well as citrus fruits as top contenders.

50s

Focus on hydration not just by drinking lots of water and zero-calorie beverages (naturally flavored seltzer, green tea, coffee in moderation) but also eating what Joy calls "juicy" foods. Get as much water into your system as possible with cucumbers, mushrooms, peaches, oranges, grapes and berries, all of which are made up of more than 90% water.

Do you have any healthy foods suggestions that give your skin a boost? Let us know by posing on our Facebook wall.

If you need a little healthy-eating inspiration, pick up Joy's new book Joy Fit Club: Cookbook, Diet Plan, and Inspiration and find her on Facebook.

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