How Your Diet Affects Your Skin

You’ve heard it a million times, but it is true – “you are what you eat” and your skin is a direct reflection of that. Everything you put in your body will have a noticeable impact on your skin. Your skin is telling you what it likes and doesn’t like.

Take the time to notice what your skin is telling you so that you know what foods to avoid ensuring that you achieve beautiful healthy skin. Let’s look at some common ways that diet affects your skin.

The four common ways diet affects your skin:

Dry Skin

One of the most common symptoms of a poor diet is dry skin. A diet low in Vitamin B will result in dry, cracked skin. A diet high in caffeine results in dehydration as well due to it being a diuretic. Since most people enjoy drinking coffee today, keep that in mind so that you can limit it.

Healthy fats such as raw nuts, avocados, coconuts, fatty fish and olive oil are amazing superfoods that will keep your skin moisturized, soft, and healthy. Plus, getting in a full eight glasses of water each day will also help to avoid dryness.

Inflammation

Breakouts, rashes, and redness are all common skin problems associated with inflammation. Inflammation is caused by consuming unhealthy food or food that you may have a sensitivity to. 

Sugar, dairy products, refined grains, and trans fats are common foods that are responsible for inflammation of the skin. If you suffer from psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and acne try to lower your consumption of food these foods. 

For some people with a sensitivity to nuts, even normally healthy food can cause a problem. Starting an elimination diet can also help to determine the exact culprit in your diet that is causing the inflammation.

Sun Damage

Believe it or not, a diet low in Vitamin C, E, and D leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage. This is because these vitamins help fight against the free radicals that are produced from the sun’s harmful rays.

Fill your diet with tomatoes, red peppers, garlic, carrots, and citrus fruit to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. They are high in antioxidants and limonene which are known to help protect against sunburns and fight off damaging free radicals. 

Sallow skin

Individuals who suffer from sallow skin are characterized by their pale or yellow complexion and dark circles under the eyes. They typically look tired and older than they really are. Sallow skin is commonly caused by vitamin deficiencies, anemia, and dehydration. A diet rich in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 can prevent sallow skin.

If you suffer from any of these four symptoms it is likely your diet is to blame. Healthy skin can be achieved not only through proper skincare routines but largely by adopting a healthy diet. Implement a diet full of healthy fats and anti-oxidants to achieve healthy glowing skin.

Discover the keys to successful skin health. Learn how by downloading your free workbook, Nurturing Your Skin.