What we eat massively impacts upon our skin and our food choices are essential for healthy living. However, a worrying 61 per cent of people don't eat a balanced diet.

Research for SoBe V Water, carried out by OnePoll, has revealed that 34 per cent of people eat no vegetables or only one serving a day.

This causes skin to look haggard and can lead to blemishes. Therefore it is important that we eat the right things to have healthy and youthful skin.

Here are the food dos and don'ts for the skin of your dreams.

Do

Eat colourful fruit

As a rule, colourful fruit has lots of benefits for the skin, containing lots of Vitamins C and E, as well as antioxidants.

According to Max Tomlinson, a naturopath, nutritionist, homeopath and medical herbalist, pomegranates and blueberries are great for the skin, as they contain phytochemicals, which have a protective effect.

Go in search of orange vegetables

Orange vegetables contain lots of vitamin A and E, which can help to hydrate the skin.

Vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant, protecting against free radicals that damage collagen and cause dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Get your fill of flax and flaxseed Oil

Flax is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, which is a plant-based omega-3 that has a lubricating effect. This is essential for keeping skin moist and supple, in addition to preventing irritation.

Remember to hydrate

Everyone knows that drinking lots of water is vital for keeping the skin hydrated and there are lots of foods with a high water content, including cucumbers, celery and melon. These will help to give skin a healthy glow and fight away spots and blemishes.

Don't

Eat lots of sugar

Foods that are high in sugar have a damaging effect on the skin, causing wrinkles and dullness.

Sugar creates harmful molecules called glycation end products, which attack the skin's proteins and makes it vulnerable to damage.

Binge on dairy

Dairy products play an important role in diets, but too much can lead to acne. This is because dairy causes an increase in the production of growth hormones and an imbalance is reflected on the skin.

Posted by Matilda Jones