Our Favorite Skin-Friendly Foods
We've all heard "you are what you eat" when it comes to staying in good health. It turns out this advice can apply to our skin as well.
Dr. Carmelo Plateroti and our highly skilled staff at Plateroti Dermatology in Templeton, California, provide a wide range of dermatologic and aesthetic treatments for all your skin care needs. Whether you're struggling with a medical issue like acne or skin cancer or seeking a natural-looking refresh of your appearance, we can help with our unique integrative approach that uses both Western medicine and holistic practices for the best possible results.
Skin health
A number of factors affect our skin health. Oxidative stress can contribute to skin aging as free radicals from things like sun exposure, a poor diet, too much alcohol, and smoking cause damage to the cells. Inflammation in the body from eating too many processed foods can also negatively impact the skin. Even not getting enough hydration can contribute to skin dryness.
Foods for good skin health
Fortunately, a wide variety of foods (and food categories) can help our skin stay well-hydrated and firm.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids can not only improve cholesterol, but they can also fight inflammation and help preserve collagen to keep the skin from sagging.
This powerful nutrient is found in a number of types of fish, including salmon, tuna (bluefin and albacore), herring, mackerel, and sardines. It is also in flaxseeds (ground flaxseeds are best), chia seeds, walnuts, and almonds. Even edamame and canola and soybean oils contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C from a number of fruits and vegetables can help keep wrinkles away. Examples include citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes as well as bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, avocados, and kiwi.
Vitamin E
Foods like almonds, sunflower seeds, and avocados contain vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and can help reduce cell damage.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are antioxidants that may help to work against sun damage to the skin. They are found in tea, coffee, grapes, and chocolate (especially dark chocolate).
Probiotics
Live, friendly bacteria known as probiotics can be found in foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha. They help reduce inflammation that can cause skin issues like acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis to worsen.
Water
Be sure to drink enough water to stay properly hydrated and provide your skin with a healthy glow. This is especially important for people with dry skin. Foods with a high water content such as watermelon, celery, and cucumbers can also help with hydration.
Food and drink choices can certainly affect how the skin looks and feels, so making good decisions can help improve your appearance. However, some dermatologic and aesthetic concerns may be more significant and require aid from a dermatologist.
If you are seeking a more in-depth consultation and potential treatment plan, click our request button, or call us at 805-434-2526 today to make an appointment.