What Your Diet Says About Your Skin

The Complexion Connection

A clear complexion is something we all strive to achieve, while many people believe genetics and hormones are solely to blame, it’s actually diet that can have a massive influence in combating those skin blemishes. The foods we eat, daily nutrients, low glycemic ingredients and a dairy free diet can help prevent those annoying breakouts. It’s time to start feeding your face the good stuff!

The GI Effect

We all know we shouldn’t be eating refined carbs but it’s all too easy to reach for the bread, muffins and well everything else deliciously processed. A diet with a High Glycemic Index (GI) could have negative effects on your skin. The glycemic index is a ranking of carb rich foods based on their potential to increase blood sugar levels. High glycemic foods include “fast carbs” such as bread, white potatoes, processed foods, refined grains, chips and cereal. These are rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, causing insulin levels to surge. A spike in insulin levels promotes inflammation, and causes overgrowth and accumulation of skin cells; it can also stimulate sebum production by up to 60%.

Ditch the Dairy

Studies have found drinking milk will not only aggravate skin blemishes but can also trigger them, this all coming down to the hormones in dairy milk. The proteins in dairy products (which are naturally designed to support a baby cow), have the power to send spot producing hormones into overdrive. Try substituting milk for almond milk; noting that low fat- dairy products such as skim milk actually contain a higher concentration of dairy proteins and sugars increasing the chances of those annoying blemishes!

Sugar Rush

Sugar is the word on every nutritionist hit list at the moment, and for good reason with its potential to trigger blemishes and breakouts with its pro inflammatory compounds. Sugar consumption increases blood levels of the androgen hormones by decreasing the volume of a specific androgen regulating protein. The increase in androgen hormones directly stimulates the sebaceous gland to produce more of a thick, sticky, type of sebum; leading to clogged pores and a whole array of skin blemishes to match!

Breaking the Breakout

Dermatologists recommend trialing a new diet for at least 6 months to see positive changes. Up the Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon and fish oil supplements). Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E and K, fruit and vegetables, and green tea all act as anti-inflammatory aids on the skin. Selenium and zinc may also be beneficial, as could a high fibre diet. Oh, and flavonoids found in red wine...Now we’re talking!

With all that said we encourage you to consult one of our Ella Baché skin therapists for a skin diagnosis, this allowing us to treat you skin individually and map out a treatment program for you!