Like many women, I’m tired of using expensive beauty products to keep my skin looking good. So, I started looking into the best foods for healthy skin after 60. What I found was a list of foods that are not only great for your skin, but, that also may help you to live a healthy life more generally. 

What Are the Best Foods for Healthy Skin?

Of course, everyone’s body is different, so, you should check with your doctor before changing your diet. That said, I hope that this list is a good starting point for your own search into how to live a healthier life while enhancing your outer glow. If you have any other tips for skin care over 60, please share them in the comments at the end of this article.

Red Bell Peppers

Did you know that green peppers are just unripe red peppers? Because they are not mature, green peppers have only half the vitamin C and a small amount of vitamin A. So, as far as healthy skin goes, red peppers have much more going for them. Vitamin C helps our bodies produce collagen, which decreases as women get a little older.

Red peppers are also rich in carotenoids that can help prevent wrinkles and increase blood circulation to your skin.

Dark Chocolate

Chocolate is, without a doubt, my favourite health food. Don’t forget to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. It is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and plant substances called flavanols. All these ingredients promote glowing skin.

Cocoa also relaxes arteries and increases blood circulation, leading to healthier skin. Also, no matter how seductive, avoid chocolate with milk and added sugar. A Snickers bar or luxury Belgium chocolates are not going to help your skin glow.

Coconut Oil

Most women know about the wonderful benefits of coconut oil. It is one of the richest sources of saturated fat, which is good for your skin. Coconut oil is rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, perfect for keeping skin moist, soft, and wrinkle-free. It is a truly versatile product and I use coconut oil as a makeup remover and as a face and body cream. It is also great for hair and cooking!

Spinach

Spinach consistently appears on every list for enhancing health and beauty. It is the one food that I eat every day in my green smoothies. Its amazing nutrient-rich ingredients include iron, folate, chlorophyll, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin A, fibre, plant protein, and Vitamin C. As we’ve said before, Vitamins C, E, and A are especially great for your skin.

If you add luscious green spinach it to your diet you are cleaning your skin from the inside out!

Celery

Celery might not be a food that you think of for enhancing your skin. But, did you know that celery contains natural sodium and potassium and can help to prevent dehydration? In older women, this can help to prevent skin dryness, flaking, and wrinkling.

Papaya

Papaya is an amazing and relatively unknown fruit with lots of nutritional benefits. It is low in calories and fructose making it excellent for digestion. The link between digestion, general health and good skin is an important part of the 2000 year old Indian Ayurveda philosophy.

The antioxidant nutrients found in papaya include Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, all great for glowing skin!

Carrots

Carrots are not only good for your eyes, but also for your skin. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gets converted to vitamin A inside the body. Vitamin A helps prevent the overproduction of cells in the skin. That’s where excess sebum combines with dead cells and clogs pores causing inflammation and breakouts.

Do you have any other tips for skin care over 60? What are your favorite foods for healthy skin? Please join the conversation.

Watch my interview with Lynda Goldman for more healthy eating tips for older women.