There are a lot of compelling reasons to go vegan. While some people swear themselves off animal products for health or ethical reasons, there is a third equally compelling reason – your skin. Your body’s largest organ reacts to the foods you eat just as your internal organs do. When bad stuff goes in, your skin can suffer visibly. The saturated fats found in animal products can clog not only your arteries but your skin’s pores as well. Excess oil secretions, increased inflammation, loss of elasticity, and overall poor skin condition can all be helped by adopting a vegan diet.

It is now widely accepted now that diet can help prevent illness, promote good health, and possibly even increase longevity. A vegan diet can literally alter your chemistry, keeping your body more balanced and efficient. Vegan foods lower the high levels of fat, cholesterol and sugar in your diet. A vegan diet can not only heighten your energy levels, stamina and mood, it can also improve the quality and elasticity of your skin.

A trip down the beauty aisle is a reminder that we are sometimes still lost in a culture of treating symptoms. A dizzying array of topical beauty products all promise clear skin and youthful radiance all in the convenience of a plastic tube. Could it be possible that a diet rich in leafy greens, complex carbohydrates and natural oils is the best way to solve your skin problems? Without subjecting your sensitive skin to harsh chemical additives and preservatives?

Nutritious fats like omega-3s are found in fruits like avocado, and many nuts provide both oils and protein that will act together to maintain the youthful quality of your skin. Nutrients and vitamins like zinc are found in beans and legumes. Zinc has been found to decrease the redness and irritation that comes with pimples. Vitamin C and E are common in fruits, which act as antioxidants that can actually slow down the onset of wrinkles and smooth their appearance.

So, what do Alicia Silverstone, Natalie Portman, Emily Deschanel, Reagan Pasternak, Carrie Underwood, Anna Silk, Tea Leoni, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Anna Pacquin, Ellen Degeneres & Portia DiRossi, Woody Harrelson, and Jennie Garth all share in common? You guessed it. A vegan diet is behind some of the best skin in Hollywood.

Celeb or not, people who have maintained a vegan diet for a long period of time tend to show fewer signs of aging and are often mistaken for being younger. If you want to combat the effect of prematurely aging skin, it just makes sense to start cutting out foods that contribute to the problem.

Of course, as a vegan you’ll face a whole other set of challenges as you become increasingly aware of the amount of processed soy products that are available. Cutting out meat and dairy leaves a huge void that begs to be filled with junk food, bread, pasta, and spun soy. It takes some research and experimentation to find new things to eat that you’ll love, and properly balance your diet. Most people who transition to a vegan diet become more conscious of what they eat, and end up making better, more informed food choices all around. Sure, becoming vegan is a challenge, but its one your skin will thank you for.