One way to get more skin-enhancing foods on your plate is to opt for orange foods.

This may sound strange, but trust me, it makes “skin food” much easier to understand and is a great starting point. Look, orange foods like carrots and bell peppers contain carotenoids like beta-carotene, which are A+ for skin health.

“The amount of carotenoids in the skin was shown1 correlate with carotenoid intake,” explains registered dietitian Jessica Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES. However, it makes sense to include these foods in your daily or weekly meal plan if possible. “Carotenoids provide skin protection through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and light-absorbing properties,” she says.

In fact, one review study found that a diet rich in carotenoids may even help protect skin from UV damage and therefore promote healthy skin aging. after all 80% of the visible signs of skin aging come from excessive UV2 exposure.

Other skin related benefits include reduction of erythema (or reddening of the skin)3which is huge for anyone trying to brighten and even out their complexion.

Not to mention, adding more antioxidants to your diet is a great way to boost your skin’s resistance to environmental factors like pollution and even the effects of stress on the skin.

In addition, many foods rich in carotenoids also contain a large dose of vitamin C, which essential to support your skin’s natural collagen production4. Hence, why the classic vitamin-collagen pair is often found in skin supplement formulas.

Now, other foods not related to oranges also contain carotenoids, including leafy greens. So, while it may be easier to focus on one color, just know that there is a long list of products to experiment with, more details below.