Nutrition for Beautiful Skin - it's what's inside that counts!

I have to admit that I have never spent much (or any) money on the nightly and morning ritual of skin care - the eye creams, toners, tighteners, brighteners, etc. Many of these products have ingredients that have some level of toxicity to them (preservatives to keep the all natural ingredients from spoiling) - plus they don't allow the skin to be free and open to cleanse as needed. Some naturopaths more extreme than myself don't use soap at all. It is seen as simply a surfactant (Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants.) These strict natural health peeps are going to rely on the loofah sponge to cleanse the skin instead.
Sorry folks but this natural health girl still uses a body wash and/or soap.
One fellow classmate was so extreme in my naturopath degree program that she was oompa loompa orange from all the carrot juice she drank (more on that later) and did not shave her armpits. I'm all for letting the body detox but I simply could not sit next to her because her cleansing and b.o. would make me gag.
So back to my point. It's what's inside that counts. For healthy, clear and radiant skin - you don't have to buy what all the inf0mmercials are selling for 90 bucks an ounce. Go this route instead:

If you really want beautiful skin, do the same things you would do to strengthen your heart, control your weight, lift your mood and live longer and better: Get regular exercise, sleep enough and eat well.

Discovery Health suggests a number of foods to look at if you want a beautiful-skin diet. Here are a few of their suggestions:

Nuts

The benefits of nuts -- especially almonds -- have to do with antioxidant activity. Vitamin E fights skin-aging free radicals, and also helps your skin hold in moisture.

Red and Green Vegetables

Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which prevents cell damage and premature aging. Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide lots of vitamin A, too.

Citrus Fruits

Vitamin C aids in your body's production of collagen, which is the protein that forms the basic structure of your skin. Collagen breakdown can leave your skin saggy, and vitamin C will help tighten it back up.