Healthy skin is what everyone craves, especially when we are so interested in showing off our skin with a natural glow. Truth be told, healthy skin means bright skin. 

While expensive creams and serums have the ability to even out our skin tone, reduce the appearance of spots and brighten up a dull complexion, there are many foods that are just as good. We’re talking about particular fruits, veggies and nuts. Just like the rest of your body, your skin needs nutrition too. Light up from within with these six skin brightening foods:

1. EGGS: Eggs contain amino acids and the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which not only protect skin from harmful UV rays but also have the ability to produce new skin cells. 

2. WALNUTS: Walnuts contain essential fatty acids that make up a huge part of our cell membranes. These membranes are what keep our skin feeling supple, moist and plump. 

3. TOMATOES: Keep your skin feeling tight and bright just by eating this red fruit. It produces collagen in the skin which will help to give you a natural-looking glow. 

4. LEMONS: When life gives you lemons, eat them. They’re rich in ascorbic acid—a natural antioxidant. And by eating them, they can stop free radicals from developing. These free radicals are nasty things that are responsible for aging skin and skin damage. Just squeeze a lemon into some water and away you go. 

5. PINEAPPLES: This tropical delight is one of my favorite fruits around. Aside from being high in vitamin C, pineapples also contain enzymes that help to reduce age spots and fine lines, and they leave your skin feeling supple. You can even rub it directly onto your skin for the same effect. 

6. STRAWBERRIES: Strawberries are the ultimate nutrient-rich superfood, and they contain vitamin C that is crucial for collagen production which improves skin’s elasticity and suppleness, keeping you looking young and fresh. 

Abiola Alafe can be reached at 581-2812 or aoalafe@eiu.edu.