6 Holiday Foods That Are Good For Your Skin

We often hear about how not to let our healthy habits fall by the wayside during the holidays. But what about traditional holiday foods that are also good for you? Instead of worrying about what special dishes are void of any nutrients, why not focus on the holiday foods that are good for our skin?

Seasonal foods that are typically cooked during the holidays contain a lot of vitamins that do wonders for our skin, especially if they're prepared the right way. The healthiest foods are usually best for your skin, so when choosing your dishes this holiday season, look for foods that contain fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

"Processed foods equal pimple pleasers," says dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban to Bustle over email. "Anything containing high glycemic high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils has the potential to fuel blemishes."

This holiday season, try to focus on what foods can you do good rather than harm — this way, you won't even have to splurge on any expensive skincare products when you're trying to save money to buy gifts for everyone else. Try to incorporate the following six skin-boosting foods into your holiday meals, whether it's to beat acne, improve skin appearance, or fight wrinkles.

1. Pumpkin

"Pumpkin is packed with enzymes, beta-carotene, amino acids, and antioxidants to help soften and exfoliate the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging," says Shamban. Just be wary of pumpkin desserts with too much added sugar, which can have a negative effect on your skin.

2. Apples

Apples are high in Vitamin C and copper, two beneficial nutrients for our skin, according to Shamban. "Vitamin C improves collagen production while copper helps your skin produce melanin – which is the barrier in our skin that protects us from the sun’s UV rays," says Shamban.

3. Cinnamon

"It contains anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties to help heal acne, eczema, or minor cuts or wounds," says Shamban. You can also apply cinnamon directly to the skin to fight breakouts or to create an exfoliant.

4. Sweet Potato

"Sweet potatoes can help protect against sun exposure and smooth wrinkles," says Shamban. The bright root vegetable contains beta-carotene and vitamins C, A, and E, according to SHAPE — all antioxidants that help prevent cell damage.

5. Turkey

Get out that holiday turkey. The poultry dish can help tighten your skin by increasing collagen, according to HealthCentral. Turkey contains carnosine, a protein that helps slow down the collagen damage process, according to a study published in The Journal of Experimental Gerontology.

6. Cranberries

Despite their own bright color, cranberries can help fight redness in the skin, whether it be for acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema, says Shamban. Cranberries contain anthocyanins, phytochemicals that fight chronic levels of inflammation in the body, according to a NPR article on the fruit.

Eat, drink, be merry, and get fabulous skin.