There’s no escaping the fact, at one point or another, our delicate skin will start to show signs of ageing in the form of wrinkles, sun spots ect. Although a process that is beautifully natural and not something to dread, we’ve still compiled a list of the best foods to eat, to help us maintain our dewy youthful complexions! With a healthy lifestyle and the correct nutrition there’s no reason why we can’t give the ticking clock a run for its money!

Foods high in Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks for collagen and elastin, which are essential for healthy skin. A diet high in essential amino acids will help keep your skin firm and elastic, while a deficiency makes it thin and dry. So make sure you dig in to foods such as; fish, quinoa, lean meats, eggs, watercress, pumpkin, leafy greens, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and sunflower butter, almonds, avocados, figs, raisins and spirulina.

Foods high in omega fatty acids
Foods, rich in omega acids such as; salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts, help maintain the structure and fluidity of the cell membrane making sure nutrients enter the cell and waste products are removed. The wonders of Omega fatty acids stretch far beyond anti-aging benefits so be sure to enrich your diets with lots of omega rich foods for beautiful and supple skin.

Dark green and orange Vegetables
Dark, leafy green veggies such as; kale, spinach and broccoli, can really help rev up your collagen production. These green veggies are rich in vitamin C, which, not only contain anti-oxidising properties that stabilises the enzymes which break down collagen, they also protect your skin from free radicals which contributes to the weakening of collagen. Also make sure to up your intake of carrots and sweet potato, both of which are rich in vitamin A, which can actually help restore damaged collagen. Basically in a nut shell, green veggies are awesome!

Garlic
Garlic contains a high level of sulfur, which is essential for collagen production in the body. Garlic also provides our bodies with lipoic acid and taurine, both help rebuild collagen fibers that have been damaged. So load up your meals with lots of garlic. The anti-ageing effects will definitely outweigh bad garlic breath! Chew on some mint leaves and you’ll be good to go!

Citrus foods
Various studies have proven that citrus fruits such as; grapefruits, lemons and limes, rich in vitamin C, help amino acids; lysine and proline to aid collagen productions. The abundance of vitamin C will also help neutralise the negative effects of free radicals, which destroy collagen and elastin in the skin.