Nature has provided us with many natural foods which are good for various ailments of the body. I have selected the following foods which are extremely useful for a youthful well maintained skin. The skin should stay wrinkle free , without blemishes or acne , taut and full of vigor. To maintain and encourage your skin to stay youthful , the following foods are useful. They are normal everyday foods and you will be surprised how much they can benefit your skin.

Oranges contain vitamin C which is most essential to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays . This Vitamin helps in preventing wrinkles by producing collagen in the skin. Eat one whole fruit ( not just juice) everyday, regularly for beneficial effects.
Sunflower seeds contain essential fatty acids which help skin secrete natural oils that lubricate it and prevent water loss. This helps keep skin soft and supple, improve hair texture and reduce blackhead formation . Take three teaspoons twice a week or use sunflower oil to cook your food in.
Papayas are a low calorie fruit filled with the goodness of carotenoids releasing vitamin A. They have an anti oxidant effect and help in maintaining younger looking skin. One bowl ( apx. 200- 250 grams ) of fruit a day is enough.
Whole Grains are a source of Vitamins of the B group. They help in replacing dead cells in the skin and in fighting skin infections. Niacin in whole grain helps skin cells to absorb nutrients and release energy. In order to increase intake, simply replace your normal white breads with whole grain bread , biscuits and pasta with whole grain products.
Green Tea is loaded with flavonoids and antioxidants. They prevent skin from UV rays and free radical chemicals in the atmosphere, prevent wrinkle formation and remove blemishes from the skin. Take Green tea without milk boiled in hot water twice a day to enjoy the beneficial effects.
Pulses are a rich source of proteins that help skin glow. They contain biotin which also helps in controlling hair loss. Simply cook well in boiling water to release nutrients and enjoy a protein rich meal.
Aloe Vera is considered a miracle plant with multifarious positive effects on the human body. The juice of this plant is very beneficial for patchy irritated skin, helps prevent acne and skin pigmentation. Simply take 30-40 ml of juice daily for better skin. However do not extract juice from raw pulp but take the juice available at chemists in pre-packaged form. Raw pulp if ingested without processing can contain some harmful ingredients which can cause stomach upsets and more.

Go ahead and incorporate the above foods in your diet and experience smooth, wrinkle free skin. You may note that simply taking minerals and vitamins in pills will not help the skin. It is the hidden nutrients in the fruits that are a must have.