The Truth About Food and Your Skin Does it matter what you eat?

The bottom line: In general, no—it doesn’t matter what you eat.

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But wait! I said, “in general.” The fact is that one study will come out and say one thing, another will say another, then a year later out comes yet another making claims that contradict the other two. I mean, remember when eggs were bad for you? Then they said they were okay? Now, no one is really sure what’s going on with eggs. So, when it comes to what “experts” say about food and skin, it really comes down to how your skin reacts to various foods, not what some study says it will or won’t. But there are a couple of generalities that are worth keeping in mind.

So what are some of those generalities?

What do virtually all studies agree upon when it comes to how food affects your skin? As I stated in the first line, in general your eating habits don’t have a huge impact on the quality of your skin, or whether you get zits, etcetera if… IF… if… you eat a pretty healthy diet. That said, you might want to pay attention to a few of the newer studies and what they have to say.

A recent important study making the rounds from the Department of Dermatology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center Brooklyn, has made a strong link between the prevalence and persistence of adult acne in the past 20 years and our increased consumption of refined carbohydrates; so much of a link that the study’s authors are encouraging dermatologists to tell their acne patients to limit sugary foods and junky carbs in general (goodbye pizza and donuts!) Of course, this study provides yet another reason to avoid junk food—we already know they aren’t good for our health in general. If you absolutely MUST have chocolate, go for dark chocolates with a higher percentage of cocoa and less sugar.

Another thing to keep in mind

There’s been a long-held belief that fatty foods would cause blotchy skin and other skin issues, but the truth about that has more to do with the kind of fat you consume. Processed foods and oils like those in French fries and pizza are not good for you and your skin, whereas your skin will actually benefit from natural oils like those in avocados, olives, nuts and seeds, and the omega fish oils.

Also, if you are lactose-intolerant you might want to avoid milk for skin reasons, not just because it upsets your digestive system. If you are unsure whether dairy products with lactose are a culprit, try switching to almond or soy milk and see how you feel and if your skin improves. Cheese made from goat or sheep milk might be a better choice for you than cow-based products.

According to Pat Min Cohen, a Holistic Nutrition and Ageless Living Expert and the author of The Radiance Ritual the secrets to great skin and overall health are simple: Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water, and get regular exercise. She says another secret to beautiful skin lies in how you think and feel: Cultivate stress- reducing practices into your day. Stress causes inflammation; radically decreasing stress in your life will also enhance your skin.

Above all, use common sense: Perhaps you have an unknown allergy or sensitivity. If you suspect a certain food is causing an issue, drop it for a while and see what happens. For some reason, strawberries seem to give me minor blotchy rashes when I eat a lot of them, but they are not known to be a problem food in general. It’s a very individual thing, regardless of what any study says!

Some products ANYONE can use, regardless of skin type:

If you have doubts about products you may have an adverse reaction to, you have nothing to fear with these great and gentle products:

Advanced Care Moisturizer. Great hydration for all skin types.

Hyaluronic Pure Acid Serum: Pure hydration; use alone or mix in with your favorite sunscreen or other lotions.

Gentle Cleansing Lotion: Just what the name says it is: Gentle, cleansing, lotion! 

Pure Emu Oil: One of my favorite products in the world, an oil that is good for skin, lips, dry elbows, cuticles—everywhere!

Antioxidant Enzyme Mask: Gentle exfoliation, also perfect for post-peel when you don’t want to scrub your skin, but you need to exfoliate dry flakes.

Where can I buy Dana's Book?

The Skin Regime; Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin, available as a Kindle download or Buy paperback to buy your paperback copy from Platinum Skin Care. You can also read the first chapter--FREE--by click here to read 1st chapter.

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