10 Foods That Will Immediately Improve Your Skin, According to Doctors.

When you see a blemish pop up or a rash-like patch of pimples, it's usually a sign that you've indulged in too much coffee, alcohol, or aging foods. So you may be asking yourself a logical, but overlooked, question: If what we eat shows up on our face, then which best foods for skin will help us look 10 years younger or solve pimple problems faster than some Clearasil?

1.GREEN TEA

Since green tea contains polyphenols, making it an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, it can be used as a great toner to treat acne," says Kaleroy Papantoniou, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist. "It's great for healing blemishes and scars, flushes out toxins, and also keeps skin supple. The vitamin K in green tea helps lighten dark circles under the eyes, too. So, put used green tea bags in the fridge for a great 15-minute under eye treatment."

2.AVOCADOS

There's a reason why avocados are a popular ingredient for face masks. "Avocados penetrate cells at the deepest level, which is virtually a tasty way to get a basal layer skin dose of vitamins A, D, and E, good fats, and phytonutrients," says Papantoniou. Seriously, is there anything this fruit can't do?

3.

Though it may sound counterintuitive, the high concentration of water in watermelon can actually reduce the water retention that leads to puffiness around the eyes," says Baumann. "And because watermelon is low in sugar—well, compared to many other fruits—you don't have to worry about glycation, the chemical reaction that compromises collagen and leads to lines and wrinkles."

4.

About 75 percent of the fat in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids, which may play a role in the youth boost," says Marie Jhin, MD, certified board dermatologist and author of Asian Beauty Secrets. "The antioxidant polyphenols in olive oil could also quench damaging free radicals."

5.WALNUTS

Walnuts amp up collagen production because they are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, says Papantoniou. If you're wondering what the heck is collagen, it's a protein that helps improve the skin's elasticity, preventing sagging and ultimately leaving your skin plump and youthful. Walnut's rich omega-3 content also helps reduce stress and diminish the risk of heart disease.

6.TOMATOES

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant to protect skin from UV damage, says Zeichner. In fact, a study in the British Journal of Dermatology found participants who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste daily showed 33 percent more protection against sunburn than a control group.

7.CARROT

This vegetable is orange thanks to high levels of beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A … which also happens to be a form of the main active ingredient in Retin-A," says Baumann. "This vitamin has been found to decrease the skin's oil production, and there's also some evidence that it can improve psoriasis."

8.MILK

In addition to the calcium our bones need, milk is a great source of vitamin D," says Baumann. "This is good for your skin because getting your daily dose of 'D' from milk means you don't have to get unprotected sun exposure, which helps prevent wrinkles and discoloration." That said, dairy can wreak havoc on some people's skin; so if that sounds like you, score your vitamin D from a supplement or other food sources.

9.SUNFLOWER OIL

Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid, which can help support your skin cells' membranes. "It may also reduce cellular inflammation, which has been associated with aging," says Baumann. We go more in-depth about this under-the-radar oil in our guide on popular cooking oils and how to use them.

10.BROCCOLI

"If you were to only eat one vegetable, make it broccoli," says Baumann. "It contains a myriad of good-for-your-skin vitamins, including A, C, which is a fantastic antioxidant that also supports collagen production. There's also vitamin K in broccoli, which speeds up the healing of bruises and may even help improve dark undereye circles."