But aside from just lycopene, what is the relation between diet and healthy skin and how important is it?

Nutritionists say the relationship is very important. Every day, our bodies naturally exhibit evidence of our lifestyles as a cell-level battle is raging within each of us — a battle between the natural process of aging and the natural systems that help us resist that very process. Many other nutrients play a critical role in maintaining healthy skin.

• Protein is essential for skin repair.
• Thiamine is a B vitamin that helps skin cells function normally
• Vitamin C helps the body naturally manufacture collagen
• Zinc assists epidermal cell growth

Nutrients help us maintain resistance to the processes commonly associated with aging, and those nutrients reside in the foods we eat. So if you’re trying to look as young as you feel, good nutrition is the obvious starting point.