A new wellness trend is making waves online, encouraging people to “eat their retinol” instead of just applying it. The idea? Boost your skin health from the inside out by incorporating vitamin A-rich foods into your daily meals—especially salads packed with colorful vegetables like carrots, beets, spinach, red bell peppers, and cabbage.

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is widely known for its benefits in skincare—it promotes collagen production, fights acne, smooths skin texture, and reduces fine lines. According to Dr. Geetika Srivastava, dermatologist and founder of Influennz Clinic, while topical retinol is effective, consuming foods high in vitamin A is also beneficial for skin health. However, she clarifies that eating such foods doesn’t deliver the same concentrated effect as a serum.

Dr. Mahnaz Jahan Begum, founder of Keraderm Clinics, highlights that vitamin A also supports overall well-being—it helps in vision, immune strength, cell growth, and reproductive health. The body converts plant-based sources of vitamin A (like beta-carotene found in carrots and sweet potatoes) into retinol, contributing to skin renewal.

Animal-based sources such as liver, eggs, and fish, along with dairy products, also offer retinol directly. While this trend won’t replace topical products, adding these foods to your diet can complement your skincare routine—making that glowing skin goal a little more delicious and holistic.