Face masks, cleansers, and other topical treatments are great for beautifying the skin, but when it comes to achieving that glow, nothing can beat a nutrient-packed diet. We’ve talked about superfoods for radiant skin before, and here we’ve made three somewhat peculiar (and delicious) additions that can take your skincare diet to the next level. Read on to find out how to work soybeans, sesame seeds and pig’s feet into your diet—and why you’ll want to. 

Soybeans

Soybeans are a staple in Asian cuisine, and it’s easy to see why. They’re one of the most—if not the most—versatile foods in the world. We can serve them still in their pods, drink them as soy milk, curdle them to make tofu, or ferment them to make soy sauce. Miso, tempeh, soybean oil, the list goes on. You won’t have a problem finding a way to incorporate this food into your diet. Here’s why you should: 

Soybeans are full of vitamin E that helps repair and protect the skin.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from photoaging and the effects of oxidative stress. This means it can protect the skin and help it recover from sun damage, environmental pollution, makeup toxins, and more. Soybeans are packed with vitamin E (in fact, vitamin E supplements are commonly extracted from soybean oil), which makes them a great dietary source of the nutrient. 

Soybeans can help support collagen production, improving the skin’s elasticity.

Collagen is what makes our skin smooth and elastic. As we age, collagen synthesis slows, but there are ways to promote production through our diets. Soybeans contain peptides that have been shown to increase collagen, making the tissue more flexible. This reduces the severity of wrinkles and makes the skin smoother.  They can be used topically as a skin-brightening face mask as well.

Sesame Seeds 

The small but mighty sesame seed is a tasty and healthy addition to any meal. They are packed with nutrients that have been found to help prevent an array of health issues from diabetes to certain cancers. Sesame seeds also come with plenty of beauty benefits like improving hair shine and texture, whitening teeth, and amping up your skin’s glow. Here are a couple reasons you should add sesame seeds or sesame oil to your next stir fry or salad. 

Sesame seeds contain natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in sesame seed oil can combat acne and other redness caused by inflammation of the skin. 

Sesame seed oil has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. 

Sesame seeds can combat skin pathogens. Unlike harsh cleansers, the antibacterial and antiviral properties in sesame seed oil can help fight off unwanted microbes without damaging your healthy skin flora. 

Pig’s Feet 

Pig’s feet have a lot of bones, tendons, and connective tissue, making them a great dietary source of collagen. While they may not be the most commonly ordered food in Western restaurants, pig trotters are frequently enjoyed in Asia, where they’re often braised, stewed, or fried. In China, they’re known as a beauty food for their ability to beautify the skin and hair. 

With the collagen craze in full swing, pig’s feet have garnered some attention in the US. More restaurants in New York City are offering pig’s feet dishes after the success of Hakata Tonton—the Japanese restaurant devoted almost entirely to pig’s feet. And ethical butchers around the country are set on selling all animal parts—pig’s feet included—so nothing goes to waste. Here’s why you should give trotters a try. 

Eating collagen promotes your body’s own collagen production to improve skin elasticity.

Although you can’t directly utilize the collagen you eat, your body can use the amino acids to build its own collagen. Improved collagen production in the dermis can make skin appear smoother and more plump while making wrinkles less prominent. One double blind study showed that women who consumed collagen for four weeks showed a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity. 

So there you have it. Three more potently nutritious foods for your skin. Do you have any recipes that include soy beans, sesame seeds, or pigs trotters? Share with us!