There are many ways to provide essential energy and nutrients and prevent skin diseases. Researchers are still learning how a nutritious diet promotes skin, hair, and nail health. If you are healthy on the inside, you will be healthy on the outside, too—skin and all.
It is important to understand how your diet and hygiene affect your skin.
Skin wrinkling is a natural part of the aging process, but using sunscreen and moisturizing creams, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet can slow it down.
The right nutrients can stop your skin from breaking down and keep it strong.
Limiting sugar and carbohydrates is also beneficial, as these foods can damage your skin’s collagen. Too much sugar in your diet also enables the production of an aging culprit known as advanced glycation end products—oxidative stressors that form when fat or protein combines with sugars.
Nutrition plays a very important role in chronic skin conditions. For example:
- Skin Dryness can be worsened by a high-fat, high-sugar diet, along with alcohol consumption and smoking. You can prevent dry skin by eating foods with high water content (like fruits and vegetables) and increasing your fluid intake.
- Eczema can be triggered by allergies in some individuals, so eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce these skin symptoms.
- Rosacea may be triggered by alcohol consumption, spicy foods, or hot drinks. Avoiding these may reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Best Ways to Care for Your Skin
Though diet is not a standalone cure for skin conditions, making sure to consume plenty of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods may help boost skin health in combination with hydration, hygiene, and healthy skincare routines. Consider including one or more of these foods in your diet, and take note of any changes:
- Yellow/orange/red fruits and vegetables
- Leafy greens
- Berries
- Tomatoes
- Beans and nuts
- Fatty fish
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