We are firm believers that regardless of what skincare you apply topically, beautiful skin begins with how you nourish your body. We are what we eat, and nothing reflects this more directly than our skin. Gone are my college days when I could indulge in a late-night bag of cookies and wake up fresh-faced and bright-eyed. After learning about the skin-gut connection (and seeing the direct effects of my sometimes-indulgent diet across my complexion) I veer towards the habits and foods that experts recommend for healthy, glowing skin.
Our Hydrating Glow Oil was inspired by these very vitamin-rich superfoods I love to reach for; its formula features papaya, camu camu, kiwi, avocado, maracuya, and many more delicious ingredients. But it is equally, if not more important for your skin health, to ensure that you incorporate these nourishing foods in your daily diet.
We've pulled together our favorite tips and resources for you on the connection between what we consume and the state of our skin - from breakouts, to luminosity, to premature aging. Here's to eating (and drinking!) your way to truly glowy skin.
xo, Giovanna
Everything by Dr. Nigma Talib
Start by listening to this Goop Podcast by Dr. Nigma Talib, naturopathic doctor and aesthetician. It is filled with knowledge on the skin-gut connection, and sets the groundwork for reading her fascinating must-read book Younger Skin Starts in the Gut. Her book breaks down the specific effects of Gluten, Dairy, Wine, and Sugar on our skin, and gives actionable advice for how to incorporate nourishing foods and habits to maintain a youthful, healthy, radiant complexion. Once you see her incredibly accurate diagrams mapping "Wine Face," "Sugar Face," etc., you will be convinced - see below! 
Listen to Whitney Bowe M.D.'s Wisdom on the Skin Microbiome
This MindbodyGreen Podcast with integrative celebrity dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D. was eye-opening. She dives into her work on the skin microbiome, shedding light on what you may unwittingly be doing to sensitize it, and how you can in turn strengthen your microbiome and skin barrier through proper skincare and nourishment. Explore her blog for extensive resources and recipes on the skin-diet connection.
Reach for These Delicious Foods
Nutritionist Dana James has identified the best foods to eat for glow; foods rich in fat, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Some of the most potent? In addition to simply going for color-dense foods ("eating the rainbow"), she suggests these:
- Avocado
- Salmon
- Halibut
- Papaya
- Mango
- Chia Seeds
- Hazelnuts
- Olive Oil
Limit These Potential Triggers
We've likely all seen the effects of these foods groups on our skin. With each passing year, I see the correlation more strongly in myself; when I indulge in excess sugar (lifelong sweet tooth here) I see it on my face within a day in the form of a breakout. And when I get too cozy with a bottle of red wine, the luminosity of my skin gets dampened - the mechanics of which Dr. Nigma Talib explains thoroughly.
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Gluten
- Dairy
Hydrate to Brighten, Plump, Detoxify
Truly hydrated, bouncy skin begins with your internal hydration. Dr. Dana Cohen's book Quench explores how to achieve optimal hydration, not only through drinking H20, but through eating water-packed foods, like key vegetables and fruits. As aestheticians will agree, she explains that topical hydration will have little effect unless you are sufficiently hydrated from within. This will also in turn plump and detoxify the skin, leaving it truly glowy and ageless.
Celebrate with Tequila
The one alcohol that Dr. Talib has given her stamp of approval to? Tequila! Mezcal also makes the cut. At the top of our list these days is the Latina-founded Doña Vega Mezcal by Mexican entrepreneur Sonya Vega Auvray. Enjoy it on the rocks with lime, and enjoy the ensuing glow!
