Tomatoes in September and October are magical. They’re still hanging on at farmers’ markets and backyard gardens, bursting with sweetness and flavor from the last rays of summer sun. Beyond being delicious, tomatoes are also one of the most underrated beauty superfoods — packed with nutrients that nourish your skin from the inside out.

I've always loved a chilled juicy tomato with a pinch of salt and maybe a dollop of burrata or creamy mozzarella, it's the best pairing. I've recently been serving up an easy bruschetta (chopped ripe tomatoes, diced onion, and a splash of olive oil, salt & pepper) that my kids are falling for like mad. I've also got a delicious creamy tomato soup recipe that's protein forward - the perfect meal for a cool fall day. Grab my recipe right here. 

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Here's the thing about tomatoes: they're a beauty superfood and health powerhouse. Here's why they're so great at this time of year - or any time. 

Why Tomatoes Deserve a Spot in Your Beauty Routine

Tomatoes aren’t just a pantry staple — they’re skincare in a bite. Here’s why:

• Lycopene for Skin Protection
  Tomatoes are one of the richest sources of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives them their vibrant red color. Lycopene helps protect your skin against UV damage, reduces inflammation, and supports collagen production. Translation? Fewer fine lines, more glow.

• Vitamin C for Collagen Support
  Each tomato is bursting with vitamin C, essential for collagen synthesis.Collagen is built from amino acids (mainly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline). But to assemble those amino acids into strong, stable collagen fibers, your body needs vitamin C — it’s the spark plug that activates two key enzymes (prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase). Without enough vitamin C, collagen production stalls — which is why skin can look dull, thin, or less firm when you’re deficient. It also acts as an anti-oxidant, protecting existing collagen from being broken down by UV damage and oxidative stress.

• Vitamin C for Brightening
  Vitamin C also brightens the complexion and helps your skin fight oxidative stress (a major culprit in premature aging). It plays a major role in reducing hyperpigmentation and giving that luminous “glass-skin” effect by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers melanin production — meaning it helps fade dark spots and even out skin tone.

• Hydration from the Inside Out
  Tomatoes are more than 90% water, making them naturally hydrating. Think of them as a way to plump your skin cells from within — like a glass of water your skin can eat.

• Fiber for Gut Health
  tomatoes are also rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber is the fleshy part of the tomato that dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in your intestines. This type of fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria and helps regulate blood sugar — both important for midlife women’s metabolism and hormone balance. The insoluble part (from the skin and seeds) helps support healthy digestion by adding bulk to stool and keeping things moving through the gut.

When you put all of this together, tomatoes are truly a beauty ally. Eat them fresh, roast them for depth, or turn them into a soup — your skin and body will thank you.

But they're also great for your health: 

Tomatoes are one of nature’s most powerful plant foods — light, hydrating, and packed with protective compounds that support nearly every system in the body. Their rich red color comes from lycopene, a potent antioxidant that helps protect your cells from oxidative damage. Lycopene has been studied for its role in reducing the risk of heart disease, improving cholesterol levels, and even lowering inflammation throughout the body — key factors for long-term vitality.

Beyond antioxidants, tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and folate, all of which are essential for cardiovascular and immune health. Vitamin C strengthens blood vessel walls and supports immune resilience, while potassium helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. Folate, meanwhile, aids in cellular repair and nervous system function, helping your body renew and rebuild efficiently.

Tomatoes are also a surprisingly good source of fiber, especially when eaten with the skin. Fiber supports gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria and promoting regular digestion — and since so much of our immune system lives in the gut, this connection is more important than ever. The fiber in tomatoes also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and promote satiety, making them a great choice for metabolic health and hormonal balance, particularly in midlife.

And let’s not forget hydration: with water making up about 95% of their weight, tomatoes naturally help replenish electrolytes and support healthy skin and joints. In short, this simple fruit (yes, fruit!) offers a nutrient-dense package that protects your heart, nourishes your gut, and reduces inflammation from the inside out. Sometimes the most powerful wellness foods are the ones sitting quietly in your kitchen.

Seasonal Eating: Why Now Is the Perfect Time

Eating seasonally means you’re enjoying fruits and vegetables at their peak nutrient density. Tomatoes ripened in late summer and early fall are especially sweet and lycopene-rich compared to pale, out-of-season supermarket ones. Now is the perfect time to celebrate this humble fruit with recipes that let it shine, like my delicious protein-forward creamy tomato soup.

Tomatoes aren’t just delicious — they’re beauty food, skin food, and health food all in one. Pairing them with protein makes this soup a powerhouse for women in midlife: glowing skin, nourished joints, and a metabolism that stays strong.

So next time you see those late-season tomatoes at the market, grab them! Your skin (and your beautiful body) will thank you.