10 Common Skin Care Ingredients You Can Find in Food

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Skin care products contain many ingredients you may not recognize. However, you can find some of them in food — maybe even in your own kitchen. These beauty-boosting nutrients are ideal natural ways to improve your appearance gently and effectively. Here are some common ones and how you can use them to create homemade products that could save you some money.   

1. Vitamin C

You can find vitamin C in many different skin care products. It has countless benefits, including brightening dark spots and preventing free radical damage. Vitamin C boosts collagen and iron absorption and raises antioxidant levels in your skin. 

Your body needs vitamin C to protect from free radicals, and a lack can lead to myriad health issues like hemorrhages and bleeding gums. Using Vitamin C on your skin can reduce fine lines and other signs of aging. This powerful ingredient is in many foods, from fruits and vegetables to potatoes. 

2. Collagen 

You may recognize collagen from its anti-aging properties that the media boasts about or from how it aids recovery in athletes. Collagen helps strengthen your hair, skin and nails and has many other benefits for your overall health. Supplements are everywhere, but you can also eat foods that naturally boost collagen production. 

Pork and beef bone broth, chicken, broccoli and aloe vera juice are excellent sources of collagen. Vitamin C from berries and vegetables also provides collagen. Jackfruit isn’t as common, but it contains vitamin C and is an excellent tool for skin health. 

3. Magnesium

Magnesium can balance your skin tone and texture by regulating the regeneration and repair of skin cells. It helps lower cortisol levels, improve muscle function and reduce oily skin. 

You can find magnesium in many skin care products and common foods, like fish, pumpkin seeds, almonds, peanuts, spinach and soymilk. Magnesium is typically found in lotions and moisturizers since it can protect against external damage and strengthen your skin’s barrier. 

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4. Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is a gentle alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) found in many exfoliants and face masks. It’s great for sensitive skin because of its gentleness and ability to penetrate without irritation. Lactic acid helps with uneven texture by brightening and smoothing your skin. It extends the shelf life of many food products due to its ability to control acidity. 

Your body naturally produces lactic acid when you do a strenuous workout. It’s also produced during fermentation and can preserve some food products like olives and cheese. You can find lactic acid in fermented dairy products like yogurt and baked goods, as well as in sauerkraut and pickled vegetables. 

5. Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is excellent for acne-prone skin. It’s a beta-hydroxy-acid (BHA) and chemical exfoliant that can dry out blemishes and boost collagen production. Salicylic acid is mainly found in exfoliants but can also minimize pores and is usually a main ingredient in serums. 

It removes oil and dead skin since it can penetrate deep into your pores. Salicylic acid is in many spices, like cumin, dried oregano, basil and cloves. Other foods high in salicylates are cereals, tea, cauliflower, watermelons, beans and lentils. 

6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has loads of fatty acids that pack a punch for your skin. Fatty acids that you’ll find in coconut oil are myristic, lauric, capric, oleic, linoleic, stearic, caprylic and palmitic. It can reduce inflammation and deeply hydrate your skin. 

Coconut is a versatile ingredient because it is classified as a nut, fruit and seed. You can use it in many recipes as a healthy alternative to other cooking oils. Coconut oil kettle corn, key lime pies, pound cake, pumpkin bread and green beans are all excellent recipes to make using coconut oil.  

7. Caffeine

Caffeine is an essential ingredient in many daily routines, as it’s found in most sodas and, of course, coffee. Coffee lovers everywhere will be ecstatic to know that caffeine is also excellent for your skin and in many skin care products. 

Caffeine is in many scrubs and exfoliants because it can decrease the appearance of cellulite. It’s great for puffiness and inflammation, which makes it the perfect ingredient for under-eye creams. Other foods with high caffeine levels are chocolate, ice cream, cereals, chewing gum, beer and alcoholic beverages, and energy drinks. 

8. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a wonderful skin care ingredient with myriad benefits for your skin and overall health. It’s an excellent anti-aging ingredient found in retinol and is a powerful antioxidant that also stimulates the production of collagen, so it can help diminish wrinkles. Vitamin A can be found in milk, broccoli, eggs and carrots. 

9. Ceramides

Ceramides are great hydration sources, typically found in creams and moisturizers. They can seal in hydration, which can smooth and soften your skin. Ceramides are in many prescription creams for dry skin ailments such as eczema. 

It helps hold skin cells together and replenish your skin. Corn, brown rice, eggs, dairy and wheat can increase your body’s ceramide production. Dryness emphasizes fine lines and wrinkles, and ceramide can improve your appearance by soothing and hydrating your skin. 

10. Glycerin 

Glycerin is another excellent moisturizer with components that can plump your skin. It can be found in many anti-aging products because it acts as a humectant and draws water into your skin. It can prevent dryness and soften and smooth the top layer. 

You can find glycerin in many foods, including processed and precooked items. Glycerin is a thickening agent that’s found in various foods and drinks. It’s also used in chewing gum, honey, dried fruits and vegetables, and beer and wine. Just like it retains moisture in your skin care, it also holds water in food, extending its shelf life. 

Choose the Right Foods to Boost Your Skin

These ingredients are excellent sources for optimal skin health. Incorporate these foods into your diet to reap the benefits or look for these natural ingredients in products to integrate into your daily skin care routine. You won’t have to worry about the repercussions of using harsh products and can trust their ability to boost your appearance.