6 Effects Your Diet Can Have On Your Skin

Written By Finnegan Pierson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Your skin isn't only affected by outside influences like sunlight and humidity. Your diet can also have a strong influence on the health of your skin. Here are six effects your diet can have on your skin.

1. Acne and diet effects

Acne is partially genetic, partially the result of hormonal changes during puberty and partially the result of diet. An interesting fact about acne is that there is a higher incidence of the condition in developed countries and a lower incidence in developing countries. This may be linked to diet.

Diets high in refined foods, sugar and dairy tended to show higher numbers of acne sufferers, while diets high in fish, whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables showed lower numbers. While diet is only partly to blame for acne, it definitely has some effect on the vulnerability of facial skin to the condition.

2. Wrinkles and diet effects

Like acne, wrinkles are partially genetic, partially hormonal and partially due to diet. While your genetics determine much of how you age, your diet can help slow the process. Eating refined foods and sugar and drinking alcohol are linked to higher numbers of wrinkles earlier in life, while foods that are rich in antioxidants to combat free radicals tend to be linked to lower numbers of wrinkles early in life.

3. Immune System and diet effects

As the largest organ of your body, your skin is a vital part of your immune system. It's the first line of defense for your organs and systems. Malnourishment and obesity can have huge effects on collagen production, cell turnover and circulation, among other processes, which can greatly weaken and damage your skin.

A healthy, balanced diet protects your skin and keeps it healthy so it can do its job of helping the rest of your immune system protect the rest of your body.

4. Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms and diet effects

Sometimes the effects your diet has on your skin can be a sign that something is wrong. The first symptoms of many vitamin deficiencies can be noticed on the skin. Discoloration, sores and hemorrhages can all point to various vitamin deficiencies, including scurvy from a lack of vitamin C and pellagra from a lack of niacin.

If you notice symptoms like these on your skin, it's a good idea to go to your doctor and get tested for possible deficiencies. Once you know what vitamins you're lacking in, you can change your diet to improve your health.

For example, if you were to develop scurvy, your doctor would probably prescribe a vitamin C supplement or a diet full of foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and apples. You can combat many vitamin deficiencies with dietary supplements or greens powder, both of which offer a variety of nutrients in an easily consumed package.

5. Redness and diet effects

Redness may be cosmetic, such as the flush some people experience after consuming alcohol, or it may be a sign of an issue or condition such as rosacea, a lupus-related butterfly rash, sunburn or windburn.

While it's no substitute for sun protective measures and unable to cure conditions like lupus, your diet can assist you in reducing cosmetic redness. If you stay hydrated and keep your levels of nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin K and zinc at healthy levels, your skin is less likely to experience excess cosmetic redness.

6. Hydration and diet effects

Everyone knows water is the bedrock of life. It's the most important part of the diet and is actually available in many different foods, most notably fresh fruits and vegetables. Another important source of hydration is hyaluronic acid, an essential nutrient in joint lubrication and collagen production and retention.

Like many other aspects of skin health, hyaluronic acid is an antioxidant. Eating foods like soy, bone broth, citrus fruits and leafy greens can help boost your levels of this antioxidant and benefit your skin's hydration.

Abrupt changes to your diet can affect your skin, too. You should introduce changes slowly so your body and skin can acclimate to them. Talk to your doctor before making any drastic dietary changes.

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Written By:

Finnegan Pierson loves business and has a passion for Health and technology. Even more interesting is the combination of the two. As a freelance writer, Finn hopes to influence others so they can have positive life experiences.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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