BEAUTY FOOD: Foods to eat for bright, clear skin

Putting your best face forward begins with the foods you eat. What you have on your plate can affect how healthy your skin is, how young you look, and whether or not you have blemishes. I know, how very Miranda Kerr of me, but it's absolutely true. With a few easy tweaks to your diet, you can enjoy detox-like beauty benefits. Try to incorporate more of these foods and eat your way to a better complexion:

HydrationProper hydration is a must for healthy and beautiful skin (and your entire system.) Drink your 8 glasses of water a day. If drinking water is too boring for you, make it fruit-infused.

Essential Fatty AcidsThese healthy fats come from foods such as avocado, salmon, flaxseeds, eggs, raw nuts and seeds. Not only are they important for maintaining overall health, Essential Fatty Acids have anti-inflammatory properties that are crucial for healthy skin by keeping it hydrated, supple and wrinkle-free. An added bonus: amazing hair. If you're unsure where to begin, purchase ground flaxseed and sprinkle it on yogurt, oatmeal, or blend in a smoothie.

AntioxidantsAntioxidants are a beautiful skin secret and should be your new beauty BFF. They enhance radiance and collagen, hydrate your skin and can help to banish blemishes. Think color and consume lots of: dark berries, strawberries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes, kiwi, broccoli, sweet potatoes, dark chocolate.

We make the time to cleanse, moisturize, and blow dry, so surely adding more of these foods into our diet should be a piece of (dark chocolate) cake!

Contributing writer: Alicia of thedumbbelle.com
Interesting in contributing? Email [email protected] with an idea or sample.