The right selection of food is vital for your skin health. Poor quality, unhealthy, or nutrient-imbalanced diet can negatively impact cell turnover and repair processes. However, certain natural skin healing foods can do wonders for the speedy repair of damaged or injured skin cells, resulting in a fresher and healthier look.
A well-balanced diet comprising fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds may act as therapeutic ingredients to help you get a younger and soft texture. These foods are enriched with skin-friendly proteins, fatty acids, antioxidants, and some good proteins that speed up the healing process. Let’s dive deep to know about the benefits of certain foods for faster healing and repairing processes caused by hypersensitivity, eczema, scars, infection, burn, injury, or surgery. So keep reading!
10 Best Natural Skin Healing Foods
Yogurt
Yogurt contains protein, calcium, and healthy vitamins to boost skin rejuvenation, elasticity, and nourishment. Being anti-inflammatory and prebiotic in nature, yogurt is exceptionally good for healing damaged skin tissues along with synthesizing new healthier cells. The good nutrient value of yogurt makes it amazing to restore your natural youthful skin and protect its top membrane against infections and environmental pollutants.
Nuts
Consuming a handful of nuts and seeds can enhance your skin’s freshness. Some best nutrient-rich and skin-rejuvenating nuts include almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and cashews. They are packed with healthy vitamins (A, C, D, and E), antioxidants, plant proteins, and minerals to offer skin repairing and curative benefits. Nuts may also help your skin combat acne, skin sensitivity, and eczema issues by providing a shield against pathogens.
Seeds
Seeds like hemp, pumpkin, and sunflower are exceptionally good for locking the skin’s natural hydration and protecting it against oxidative stress. These plant-based proteins speed up wound healing by boosting cell renewal and regeneration. Seeds are rich in vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids,and healthy minerals, which may help the skin to delay the signs of premature aging, pigmentation, and acne, thus improving skin glow and elasticity.
Avocado
Avocadoes are the best solution for faster wound healing, cell repair, or collagen synthesis. They’re loaded with essential fatty acids, plant sterols, antioxidants, and vitamins such as vitamins A, D, and E to nourish your skin cells. Research indicates that avocado oil can magically enhance wound healing by reforming the lost connective tissues, mitigating the risk of soreness or infectivity. Avocadoes are known for their incredible skincare benefits against sunburn, aging, acne, psoriasis, or eczema; therefore can be a skin health booster.
Tomato- Best for Treating Sunburn and Blemishes
One of the biggest concerns of unhealthy skin is uneven skin tone, and tomatoes are the best solution to this problem. Tomatoes contain a high amount of antioxidants, lycopene (carotenoid having anticancer properties), and vitamin C needed to recover cell damage and pre-mature aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmented skin problems. According to recent research, eating lycopene-rich food or fresh tomatoes may help reduce skin sensitivity to UV rays, sunburns, or skin cancer. Moreover, tomatoes also help repair damaged skin cells by speeding up the wound-healing process.
Berries- Fights Oxidative Stress
Berries are full of healthy nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins C and K. Due to having anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, elderberry) can promote the healing of minor cuts, blemishes, and ruptured skin cells. The National Institute of Health claims that berries also contain a high amount of anthocyanin that helps the skin to fight oxidative damage, microbial attack, and certain infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Coconut- Best for Scar Healing
Coconut is incredible for skin moisturization and protection. It fully moisturizes the deep layers of the skin to heal its damaged texture. Besides that, coconut has strong antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it amazing to reduce and treat the signs of certain skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, acne breakouts, and hypersensitivity. Moreover, coconut oil is also used to moisturize dull, flaky, and acne-prone skin, leaving skin hydrating and fresh.
Fish and Salmon- Best Skin Healing Foods for Burns
Fatty fish like herring, tuna, salmon, and mackerel contain a high value of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamin E. These fish types may help you get younger, healthier skin by reducing inflammation. The study reveals that fish skin collagen offers greater tensile strength and thermo-stability that helps promote wound healing. Salmon is also a proven source to reduce hyperpigmentation, sunburn, and eczema to get healthier skin.
Skin Healing Herbs
Some herbal remedies can effectively treat or heal skin infections and wounds. You can use these herbs directly, in tea, or the form of dried extracts packed in capsules or pills. However, be careful about its dosage, as inappropriate intake of herbs may pose serious health risks.
Besides that, you should also avoid the direct application of various herbs to open wounds as it can induce infection. The most important herbs to boost skin healing and repair include:
- Turmeric
- Echinacea and goldenseal
- Chamomile
- Dandelion
- Lavender
- Green Tea
- Peppermint
- Thyme
- Rosemary
Soy
Soy enhances collagen synthesis and improves cell regeneration, wound tissue repair, and cell turnover. It contains a high value of isoflavones that is highly beneficial for improving skin texture and appearance. Therefore, you can add tofu, edamame, or soy milk to your diet to enhance your skin glow.
Bottom Line
Your food choices largely determine your skin health. Incorporating natural healthy foods into your diet may produce supple and beautiful skin. Therefore, consume nutrient-rich and anti-inflammatory foods to quickly recover from an injury or skin ailment. Additionally, staying well-hydrated, taking plenty of rest, and avoiding alcohol may help induce faster healing.