Skin Care and Your Diet

What you eat and drink can help develop a healthy glow.

by Keecha Harris, Dr.PH., R.D., for MSN Health & Fitness

Q: I want smooth and glowing skin. Which diet will help me improve my complexion?

A: No single diet will give you perfect skin. It’s your genes and hormones that have the most impact on your particular skin type—something you have no control over. There are, however, lifestyle factors you can control, such as: How well you eat, how active you are, and how you care for your skin. Here’s how to take care of yourself and get your skin in tip-top shape.

For starters: Don’t be fooled by diet products, topical treatments and special food regimens that promise flawless skin. For instance, applying vitamin E products and consuming an inordinate amount of vitamin E dietary supplements offer no promise of glowing returns.

The only product shown to curb wrinkling is Retin-A. Still, the jury is out on the long-term health effects of Retin-A. And keep in mind: What may be great skin for you could be something different for your best friend and your sister. Don’t compare yourself to others.

If you want to follow an over-all good-skin diet, food does matter. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I eat foods high in antioxidants like broccoli, carrots, berries and whole grains and cereals?Am I drinking at least eight glasses of water each day? Do I get enough aerobic, strength and flexibility activities each week? Do I have a regular skincare regimen that includes a moisturizer?

If you answered yes to each of these questions, you’re doing everything you can to have healthy skin, outside of seeing a dermatologist. If you answered no to any of these questions, take small steps each day until all your answers add up to a resounding yes.

Good nutrition is not as complicated as fad diets and skin products might lead us to believe. Eating well is still more likely to give you that glowing skin than the next diet fad.