The Clear Skin Diet: How Food Affects Your Skin Health

Your skin’s health doesn't end with the products you apply to your face. The foods you are eating could be causing your skin to experience breakouts, dryness, inflammation, and so much more. Let’s keep our skin glowing by starting at the dinner table.

Why Isn’t My Skincare Working?

We all know the feeling of looking in the mirror to find new blemishes and pimples. It can be so frustrating when you are doing your best to keep up with great skincare habits, but nothing seems to help. Or perhaps you are a parent trying to find answers for your teen who can’t seem to get a handle on their skin’s health, no matter how many products they’ve tried. The solution may be a lot deeper than you realize!

Gut-To-Skin Connection

If you feel like you or your teen can’t get your skin health under control no matter what you try, you’ll be excited to hear that the answer may be as simple as understanding the Gut-To-Skin connection. It’s common knowledge that what we eat affects our bodies and how we feel. Unfortunately though, we often forget that this applies to our largest organ, our skin, as well! 

Results Of Poor Gut Health

Some foods are inflammatory and can cause lots of problems for your skin. Especially in young skin that is already dealing with hormonal changes, foods that cause shifts in hormone levels can cause even larger issues, as well as harming the skin’s natural barrier. Your meal choices can also damage the skin’s ability to defend against acne causing bacteria, and can increase insulin and androgen levels, which in turn increase sebum overproduction. Clogged pores and breakouts will continue to be a common occurrence when you don’t understand the Gut-To-Skin connection.

Eat For Happy Skin

So now you know that what you eat can change your skin’s health; for good or for bad. It’s time to dive into the details. What foods cause issues, and which can promote healthy skin for you or your teen? Just remember that simply because a certain food has the potential to cause problems for your skin, it does not mean you need to completely cut that food from your family’s diet. But having a better understanding of how your eating choices change your skin will help you and your teen make more informed decisions before you decide to take a bite.

Breakout Triggering Foods

Do you notice that your skin struggles during the Holidays or after getting fast-food? That’s because high-glycemic foods, such as sugary snacks, soda, and white bread, have been linked to acne breakouts caused by rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin. Greasy foods, especially those found in fast foods, can result in inflammation in the skin due to their low nutritional value, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. Additionally, dairy products have also been linked to acne breakouts. This is thought to be because of the hormones found in dairy or the way that dairy affects insulin levels in the body. 

Skin Happy Foods

As you may have already assumed, foods rich in nutrients and a variety rich diet are your tickets to healthy skin. Especially as we age, our skin is hungry for vitamins and nutrients that help it thrive and glow. Omega-3 Fatty Acids, found in things like salmon, chia seeds, and walnuts, help to reduce inflammation and promote supple skin. Foods such as pumpkin seeds, legumes, and cashews, which are high in zinc, can help to reduce symptoms from acne. Finally, fruits and vegetables high in Antioxidants, especially Vitamins A and C, support the skin’s ability to repair itself and combat stressors to the skin. 

Moderation Is Key

While there are foods that are not as healthy for your skin, remember that moderation is key! It’s okay to treat yourself, just remember to treat your skin as well. Try reaching for a piece of fruit instead of a sugary sweet sometimes, or experiment with lettuce-wrapped burgers here and there. Especially with teens who may not be too keen on giving up their favorite foods, it’s okay to start with small steps towards more skin healthy foods. Over time, it gets easier to make more and more adjustments towards glowing skin.

Habits For Healthy Skin

Understanding the foods you eat and their connection to your skin’s health is a great step, but remember that happy skin is a result of many lifestyle habits. Good sleep, stress reduction, and a clean and simple skincare routine, such as Girlyish Skincare’s 3-Step Glowing Girly Routine, are all necessary elements to achieving your skin health goals.