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6 Sun-Blocking Foods to Help You Kiss Those Wrinkles Goodbye

We all need the sun to survive. But too much of anything can be detrimental. Too much sun can cause any of us to age faster than we’d like. A major way to protect yourself from premature aging is to protect your skin from the sun. And while protective tools like sunscreen and certain kinds of clothing are great defenses, these measures are not always enough. The biggest key to protecting your skin from the sun that most people overlook is actually your diet. Contrary to popular belief, the food you eat can significantly improve the condition of your skin. This is because other solutions are topical and help to protect your skin externally.

Food is like your skin’s internal armor, helping to fortify it from the inside. And the best part about it? Some of the most common foods, which may already be in your pantry or fridge, can have the biggest impact. If you are ready to renew your skin and look and feel more youthful, check out these six sun-blocking foods that can help you enjoy the sun without compromising your skin.

1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most convenient foods on this list because they are a kitchen staple for most people. So you may already have a skin-boosting superfood hiding away in the back of your fridge. This is largely due to lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes that gives them their red color and also helps them neutralize free radicals from exposure to UV rays. Research has revealed that those who consume tomato paste or cooked tomatoes on a regular basis experience less skin damage or redness after sun exposure than those who do not.

This is because cooked tomatoes offer more bioavailable lycopene than non-cooked versions. Tossing in some healthy fats like olive oil will further boost your body’s ability to absorb fat-soluble lycopene.