What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when we say healthy food? Or, what’s the answer you get when you ask that friend/celebrity about the secret behind her glowing and gorgeous skin? Lots of fresh fruits?

Well, since time immemorial, we have been hearing enough about the benefits of fruits for our health and skin. Hence, in this post, we have decided to list the top 21 fruits you should consume to achieve the best version of your skin.

What Expert Says

“Fruits are rich in antioxidants that prevent oxidative damage. Foods rich in vitamin A can help in reducing acne. Pineapple and cucumbers are great for solving acne issues.”

Why Are Fruits So Important For Healthy Skin?

Maintaining healthy skin is not an easy task. No matter how many products you use, your skin will glow only if you are healthy from within. That’s why getting the right amount of nutrients through your food is a must.

An abundant source of nutrients and essential vitamins is fruits. Vitamin C enriched fruits are great for reducing acne marks and skin brightening. Fruits with B vitamins are great for improving your overall skin health. According to our chief dermatologist, Dr. Harish Koutam, “Fruits are rich in antioxidants that prevent oxidative damage. Foods rich in vitamin A can help in reducing acne. Pineapple and cucumbers are great for solving acne issues.”

What Fruits Do You Need To Add To Your Regular Diet?

1. Oranges

Daily Vitamin C intake is mandatory for radiant skin. The natural oils present in oranges keep your skin hydrated, making it look plump.

Vitamin C is known to aid in collagen production, which keeps your skin firm and reduces the appearance of signs of aging (1) (2). High in vitamin C and antioxidants, oranges help fight free radicals in the body, minimizing DNA damage. This slows down premature aging.

How To Use

A. In Your Diet

• Eat half an orange everyday.
• You could even consume freshly squeezed orange juice. Avoid the pulp if you have ulcers in your stomach, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• You could make a tasty orange smoothie or add it to your salads.

B. For Pigmentation

Apply plain, freshly squeezed orange juice to your pigmentation spots.

C. For Oily Skin

Mix 3 tablespoons of orange juice with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Add a pinch of turmeric to the mixture along with 2 tablespoons of gram flour. Apply it as a pack and leave until dry (around 15 minutes). Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water.

D. For Dry Skin

Mix 3 tablespoons of orange juice with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Add half a teaspoon of milk to the mixture along with a pinch of turmeric and one teaspoon of honey. Apply it to your skin and leave it on for 10 -15 minutes.

2. Papaya

Carica papaya or simply ‘papaya’ as most of us call it, is a naturally moisturizing agent that helps keep your skin hydrated and soft when used topically.

Rich in Vitamin A, C and B, this fruit can prove to be effective in maintaining good skin health. Papaya can also improve your digestive system and prevent constipation. This, in turn, aids in clearing up your skin. Studies suggest that this fruit can also speed-up the wound healing process (3).

How To Use

A. In Your Diet

• Eat a bowl of papaya in the morning as part of your breakfast.
• Papaya smoothies are also a good option. Blending the fruit with some lemon juice will make for a tasty drink.

B. For Smooth Skin

Mash some papaya pieces in a bowl and apply them onto your skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes.

C. To Reduce Pigmentation

Mash a few pieces of papaya and mix with lemon juice. Add a pinch of turmeric. Apply to the affected area and wash off after 10 minutes.

D. To Moisturize Dry Parts Of Your Skin

Mix mashed papaya with half a teaspoon of almond oil and apply to the affected area. Wash off after 10 minutes.

E. Papaya Scrub

Mix mashed papaya with 1 teaspoon of an orange peel. Add a tablespoon of rosewater to the mixture if you have oily skin. If your skin is dry, you can use honey.

3. Lemon

Lemon is popularly used in a number of skincare products. From anti-acne creams to anti-aging lotions, this citrus fruit can prevent a host of skin issues.

Rich in Vitamin C, lemon can help reduce signs of aging, hyperpigmentation and scarring. Lemon is also a natural bleaching agent. It helps reduce sun damage and tan. Addressing a host of skin issues, this ingredient should be made a mandatory part of your skincare regimen.

How To Use

A. In Your Diet

• Lemon juice water with a teaspoon of honey added to it should be the first thing you drink in the morning.
• You can add lemon juice to your salad and even your curries while you consume them.

B. For Tan

Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to a teaspoon of sugar and mix the two. Rub it onto the affected areas and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with cold water.

Note:

Make sure you do not scrub your skin too hard to prevent it from getting dry.

C. For Puffy Eyes And Dark Circles

Mix one teaspoon of lemon with one teaspoon of milk. Gently apply to your undereyes. Make sure you do not allow the ingredients to enter your eyes to prevent burning. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off with cold water.

D. For Pigmentation Spots

If you have oily skin, applying lemon juice alone to your affected areas is recommended. However, if your skin is dry, mix a few drops of lemon juice with some coconut oil.

E. For Acne Scars

4. Banana

Mix lemon juice with rose water and dab it gently on your skin using a cotton ball. Rinse off after 10 minutes.

Delicious, easy to peel and not at all messy! This fruit is packed with antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, and is also very moisturizing (18). It contains Vitamin A, C K, E, folate and minerals that make it effective in improving your skin health.

It is also rich in dietary fibre that is required for a good digestive system, which helps with good skin as well. Bananas are also moisturizing agents that help soothe dry skin.

How To Use

A. In Your Diet

• Just peel it and have it at any time of the day.
• You can even make a banana smoothie that is extremely filling and healthy.
• Bananas can be used to make breads and various desserts.

B. For Smooth Skin

Mashed bananas when applied to your skin can instantly make it soft and hydrated.

5. Apple

Apples are packed with Vitamins A and C that cater to a host of skin issues. Apple peels are also rich in antioxidants that help reduce the appearance of signs of aging. Apples also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress.

Note:

The peel of an apple is rich in antioxidants (14). Gently rinsing an apple for a minute under the tap and consuming it with the peel is the best way to eat it, to reap its benefits!

How To Use

A. In Your Diet

• Eat an apple every day with your breakfast.
• Apple smoothies are a tasty way of consuming this fruit.

B. Topically

Apply a grated piece of apple to your skin for 10 minutes for better skin.

C. For Dry Skin

Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with a grated piece of an apple. Apply to your skin for 10 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.