As the saying goes: you are what you eat. If you feel like you’ve tried everything to clear up your skin and you still aren’t seeing the results you want then maybe it’s time to turn towards your diet. We are supremely connected beings and there is a cause and effect for everything within our bodies. Skin care concerns that aren’t being addressed by your skin care regimen could likely stem from a problem with your diet and/or lifestyle. This is an ancient ayurvedic principle that has been fact-checked by modern medicine.
I know green juices/smoothies can seem like a trendy millennial breakfast but they are actually a great way to activate the daily vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin in any skin type. Continue reading below for more information on which foods can help alleviate or exacerbate certain skin concerns and how to eat right for your skin type.
Acneic Skin Type
Eating low-glycemic foods is the key to keeping your breakouts in check. Berries, grapefruit, leafy greens, and most non-starchy vegetables should be your go-to snacks. Sugars—both processed and the natural variety—are prone to elevate testosterone levels. This leads to the hormonal imbalances that can cause breakouts on the skin.You’ll want to avoid foods containing lots of sugars, alcohol, peanut byproducts, caffeine, dairy, soy, and gluten. Acneic skin types also benefit from being a light drinker. One too many alcoholic drinks can wreak havoc on your skin for up to 28 days in women. Peanuts and peanut byproducts are considered high-androgen foods which are known to exacerbate acne. Dairy, soy, and gluten are known to clog pores and can be especially troubling for those with cystic acne.
Sensitive Skin Type
With sensitive skin types, balancing your diet includes watching what you eat and also what you drink. Spicy foods, foods high in sugars, and too much salt can lead to inflammation and dehydration—the latter which exacerbates sensitive skin. Foods that contain and are naturally high in quercetin and essential fatty acids should be your go to. These ingredients are naturally found in: leafy greens, tomatoes, red onion, buckwheat, peppers, and olive oil. Buckwheat is particularly helpful for sensitivities caused by rosacea. Alcohol and caffeine are not friendly to the sensitive skin type… and, sadly, you’ve got to cut soda too.
Dry Skin Type
If your skin is dry, then you already know hydration is everything. First things first: you want to make sure you are staying hydrated by drinking lots of water. And you’ll also want to keep that hydration going throughout the day by eating hydrating fruits and vegetables. Your go-to snacks should be: citrus fruits, watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries, cucumber, lettuce, and spinach. That’s right. Salads and fruit cups are the way to go for you my dear dry skin type. But you can also have foods high in omega fatty acids like eggs, salmon and walnuts. Drinking in moderation is important for you as too much can throw your skin of its game.
Oily Skin Type
Oily skin types will want to avoid the same foods as the acneic skin types since the triggers for these two skin types is often similar. However, it is suggested that oily skin types eat foods that are high in fiber. Fiber aids in detoxifying the body. To perfect your glow, try eating whole grains, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, beans, tuna, soy, and pumpkin seeds. You’ll also want to take a cue from the dry skin types and hydrate heavily. Getting your proper daily amount of water can also help flush toxins and discourage an overproduction of sebum.
So if you see something on the list that you now know you should avoid, try making and adjustment in your diet and let me know how it goes. If you’d like a more in-depth skin care consultation, you can book one with me anytime. They are free when you come visit the spa!
Book My Consultation