People with sensitive skin need to be careful about what skincare products they use. The wrong product can cause irritation, redness, and breakouts.
If you have dry skin, you may need to use lotions and moisturizers that are more hydrating. And those with oily skin generally need skincare products to help control oil production.
But what about your diet?
Can the food you eat affect your skin?
Dieting For Dry Skin
Dry skin tends to be flaky, itchy, and dull-looking. Dryness can also cause discoloration and oversensitivity.
Drinking more water can help rehydrate the skin and eat foods that contain high levels of water, such as watermelon, grapes, and cucumbers.
Drinks like alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you and worsen dry skin, so it’s best to limit your intake of these beverages.
You’ll also need to eat more healthy unsaturated fats, like those found in:
- fish
- avocados
- nuts
- seeds
- olive oil
These fats will help restore your skin’s natural lipid barrier, which will help to keep moisture in and irritants out.
Dieting For Oily Skin
Oily skin isn’t necessarily caused by consuming too much oil; a diet high in unhealthy fats can worsen oily skin.
Unhealthy fats (trans fats and saturated fats) are found in:
- fried foods
- processed meats
- red meat
- dairy products
- snack junk foods
Instead, focus on eating healthy fats, like the ones found in oily fish, nuts, and seeds.
You might also be advised to avoid added sugars and refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, pasta, etc.), as these can increase inflammation. Inflammation combined with oily skin may increase the likelihood of acne breakouts.
How Much Does It Really Matter?
For the most part, healthy foods are going to be health-promoting for nearly everyone.
No matter what type of skin you have, nutritious fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, and healthy fats should be a staple in your diet. And foods with added sugars, trans fats, and little nutrition will generally be bad for your health and skin.
But taking that extra step to ensure you’re eating foods that specifically help with the appearance of your skin can give you an extra edge in preventing wrinkles, acne, and dullness.
Also, your skin is influenced by environmental factors like humidity and sun exposure, so your skin type is likely to change seasonally and throughout your lifetime. Even though your skin may be dry now, it might not be a few months from now—especially if you are actively working to improve your skin health.
Your skin is a reflection of your overall health, so eating a nutritious diet and living a healthy lifestyle is always going to help improve the appearance of your skin, regardless of your skin type.