Helping Your Skin Stay Healthy

By Carolyn Suerth Hudson, RDN, LD
August 22, 2018

Are you looking in the mirror, concerned about the wrinkles you are getting? Or maybe you’re regretting being a bit too lax with your sunscreen this past summer?

Wrinkles are caused by a number of factors that damage the collagen layer of cells just below the skin. Everyone’s first thought is too much sun exposure, but you might be surprised that your dietary choices also show up on your skin. I’ve had nutritional counseling clients come in for digestive issues and after working together they’re shocked to report that their breakouts stopped totally.

Excess alcohol, too many processed carbs, fried foods, high fructose corn syrup and chemicals and preservatives in food can all affect your skin. Smoking has a negative impact as well. I know people my age who have smoked since they were teenagers, and they have many more wrinkles than those of the same age who never smoked.  

Here is some of the advice I’d share on what foods can help your skin age gracefully (and some to avoid of course!).

What to eat for healthy skin:

• Load up on antioxidant-rich foods like strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.
• Add carrots and sweet potatoes to your menu; these are rich in beta-carotene.
• Choose healthy fats like butter, olive oil, lard, coconut oil and avoid all processed and refined oils.
• Eat cold water, fatty fish regularly to ensure you are getting Omega 3’s in your diet.
• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.

Plus, don’t forget the HUGE impact sleep has on your skin. Aim for seven and a half to eight hours of sleep every night.

Implementing these easy tips will definitely improve your skin. Give it a go for a few weeks and report back to us what you’re experiencing. I have a client who noticed a huge difference just by drinking enough water to hydrate her skin every day. One of my clients added cold water fish and Omega-3 supplements, and she was surprised that her skin, along with her hair and eyes, were no longer dry. She even noticed fewer wrinkles!