These are the 16 Most Beautifying Superfoods

“Superfood” has become something of a buzzword lately, but make no mistake—these ingredients have earned their title. Defined as nutrient-rich foods that have been shown to promote long-term health and wellness, superfoods do so much more, with vitamins and antioxidants that have been proven to reduce risk of chronic diseases and cancers, promote gut health, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity. From the healthy fats in avocados and salmon to vitamin-packed lemons and mangos, L’OFFICIEL guides you through the best superfoods to add to your daily diet and beauty regimen for maximizing wellness, including skincare, haircare, and long-term health.

Goji berries have been used in traditional Eastern medicine, first in Tibet, for centuries. These berries are superior to any other source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fatty acids, so you can take a break from those oranges and carrots. Among other health benefits, goji berries can help reduce signs of aging on the skin, protect against UV rays, balance the skin tone, produce collagen, and help the skin retain moisture. Can’t get enough of these berries? Try Apothékary's exfoliating clay mask for anti-aging and hydration.

There’s basically nothing avocados can’t do—besides being packed with essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and other antioxidants, they’re also high in protein and vitamin A. A great healthy fat to add to your toast or salmon dish, they’re especially helpful for hair growth and promote clean hair follicles by keeping your hair’s oil and pH levels balanced.

Containing high amounts of vitamin C, soluble fiber, and plant compounds, lemons have a variety of beauty benefits, from reducing skin damage and premature aging, to decreasing oil on the skin and inflammation. Lemons also help hair growth by strengthening the follicles and helps balance out the pH of your hair, stopping any developing dandruff. Add it to your nighttime tea routine or try out this hair oil—enough is never enough.

Sweet potatoes are another staple to add to your weekly diet, whether it’s in the form of fries, a bowl, or a baked potato. High in vitamin C, sweet potatoes help produce collagen, and its potassium and pantothenic acid helps keep the skin moisturized. Combined with their B vitamins and zinc, which are major nutrients important for hair growth, sweet potatoes may also be beneficial for your hair. The Beauty Chef's Glow Inner Beauty Essential is an easy way to incorporate sweet potato (along with a number of other superfoods on this list) into your daily routine and promote beauty from the inside out.

A great source of healthy (unsaturated) fats, nuts are a classic superfood snack. Essential ingredients for skin and hair health, fatty nuts reduce skin inflammation, nourish and moisturize the skin, and can even prevent acne. For hair, fatty nuts can stimulate blood flow required for hair growth, shine and strength through the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin E. It’s easy to add nuts to your diet through buying a pack of trail mix or baking them into your dessert.

Full of nutrients, mangos have high levels of copper, folate, Vitamin B6, and fiber, and antioxidants. But what makes mangos help your hair grow? You guessed it—Vitamin C. By producing collagen through this nutrient, mangos will strengthen and lengthen your hair while adding a bounce to your skin and fighting anti-aging properties. Besides being a delicious addition to your diet, try out this mango and cherry shampoo and conditioner set from Briogeo.

Salmon is arguably the best superfood source from the ocean. Along with being a solid protein choice, all types of salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids, B12, and iron, which keeps your hair shiny and strong. These same fatty acids help hydrate your skin, keeping its elasticity, and giving you a glow. At the grocery store, we recommend going for the wild salmon rather than the farmed, simply because wild salmon contains less of the “bad” (saturated) fats, is less caloric, and is higher in minerals such as potassium, zinc, and iron.

Are papayas the most underrated fruit? Originating in Central America and Southern Mexico, papayas are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and potassium, so for the skin, it's perfect for reducing wrinkles and controlling your acne, and for hair, it prevents dandruff while conditioning it and helping it grow. Newly launched Black-owned label BAO Essentials has a whole line of skin-loving products harnessing the power of papaya enzymes, inspired by the founders' Caribbean heritage. The Cedella Papaya Enzyme Toner is a great way to use the fruit in your everyday life, besides just consuming it.

What’s bee pollen, you ask? Bee pollen is a combination of the pollen that builds up on bees’ bodies, including any nectar, enzymes, honey, and wax. A study found that the pollen, in the form of a granule powder, has antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, hydrating, and lightening benefits for the skin.

Honey is a fantastic way to add unrefined sugar to your diet, beneficial for its bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants like organic acids and phenolic compounds. Because of its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, it can help oily, acne-prone skin, but still keep the moisture so your skin looks smooth and strong. It's no wonder honey is a key ingredient for Guerlain's high-performing skincare, like the best-selling Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil. Honey also makes a great hair moisturizer, adding shine to dull hair, so try out this honey-infused mask or DIY it. 

Antioxidant-packed mushrooms are a low-calorie superfood that help boost the immune system. Fungi-based supplements are on the rise, but mushrooms have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Mushroom Design's specially formulated capsules contain nine types of mushrooms for optimal performance. To take advantage of their topical benefits, many beauty brands are making mushrooms a key ingredient in their formulas, too. Snow mushroom can act like a natural hyaluronic acid, like in Frwrd Skincare's Mushroom Super Serum, where it is blended with chaga and turkeytail mushrooms, while others types can be combined for a potent calming effect, like in Biophile's Bio-Shroom Rejuvenating Serum.

Last but not least, eggs are not only elite when it comes to nutrition, but they're also necessities when it comes to beauty. Egg yolks are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help your skin retain moisture, and the whites contain albumin, a protein that helps tighten pores and remove excess oil. Vitamins A and E, in addition to biotin and folate, can keep your hair thick and strong. For nails, science has shown that the biotin can increase fingernail thickness while decreasing brittleness and their chances of breaking.