Press Room

With all the fad diets and new years resolution diets out there – from low carb and high-protein to raw and everything in between – it can be difficult to decipher which diets may be doing wonders fro your waistline but a disservice to your skin. Dieting in general usually requires cutting back on or completely cutting out foods containing nutrients that, in some cases, the body needs. “Obviously, eating healthy is the main concern.” Says New York City Dermatologist Howard Sobel, MD. “Our skin is a living organ that needs a healthy diet for optimum, healthy reproduction.”

Low Carb, High Protein
How it Affects Your Skin
A Dehydrated Complexion – Diets that are low in or void of carbohydrates exhaust the body of glycogen (glucose that’s stored in the muscles and liver). “When there is not enough glucose, dehydration can set in, which always affects the skin,” says New York aesthetician Claudio Pinto. “Some over-moisturize to compensate for the lack of hydration, but it doesn’t do much internally to add back what’s absent.”

Increased Breakouts – Low-carb and carb-free diets may aggravate breakouts. But, not everyone who eats low-carb will have blemishes. “Low-carb diets minimize insulin production, which increases cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, and that can be a catalyst for blemishes because the skin becomes more oily,” says Dr. Sobel. “Going without carbs can make the skin look sallow and unhealthy,” says Garcia.

Slack Skin – A diet absent of glucose doesn’t give fuel to the muscles and tissues, which can lead to saggy skin that lacks proper tone. “Keep in mind that you probably won’t see the effects on your skin for some time. It may take a year or two, or even more, to notice a dramatic change,” says Pinto.

The Zone Diet
How it Affects Your Skin
Skin Health Improves – Most experts feel that this is one diet that poses no negative effects on your skin, since you’re including carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein, all of which are needed to maintain the skin’s health. “The Zone diet is an excellent diet for the skin since it’s a balance of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats,” says Dr. Sobel.

The Mediterranean Diet
How it Affects Your Skin
A Well-Hydrated Complexion – Nearly all experts believe that this is one diet that poses no threat to how your skin looks and functions. “This is primarily a healthy the skin,” says Dr. Sobel. “This diet is rich in olive oil (a monounsaturated fat), which is great for the skin internally. Olive oil, once used as an aid for wound healing, helps the skin to function much better,” says Pinto. And, since you’re getting ample servings of omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, the skin will stay hydrated and plump.

The Raw Diet
How it Affects Your Skin
Increased Circulation ¬– According to Jaffy, the raw diet is high in essential nutrients that directly affect the skin. “You’re consuming vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in their entirety, without any change to their molecular structure, which increases blood circulation and leaves the skin with a healthy slow,” she says.

Repair Damaged Cells – Because foods are eaten in an unaltered state, raw foods have high levels of antioxidants that Dr. Sobel says support cellular repair. Those who eat raw even experience more energy because the cells are fueled quicker and more efficiently. “This is one of the better diets for your skin, because you’re eating so clean, but I have seen some patients with skin problems who follow a raw diet,” says Pinto. Keep in mind that you have to get enough protein otherwise you may experience some dryness in your skin.

The Vegan Diet
How it Affects Your Skin
Sallow, Dull Skin That Sags ¬– According to Pinto, the potential lack of protein could cause the skin to become sallow and dull. Although most vegans rely on beans and soy as their main sources of protein, Dr. Sobel says that it may not provide the same skin benefits as what’s found in meat-based protein. “The proteins in these sources are not absorbed or metabolized the same way as those from traditional protein sources such as fish, meat and chicken. Some vegans don’t get enough protein for healthy cellular function,” he says. And, in most cases, there is little or no vitamin D in the vegan diet, which is necessary for strong bones–a lack of the two could cause bone loss early on, resulting in premature facial aging.

Some may think that “Dieting” is to restrict one thing or many from what you eat. The true definition is:

Main Entry: 1di·et
Pronunciation: \?d?-?t\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English diete, from Anglo-French, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life
Date: 13th century

1 a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed b : habitual nourishment c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight <going on a diet>

Notice the definition doesn’t say to leave anything out of your diet, it states to eat and drink sparingly. The main function of a healthy diet is to get all the nutrition through the foods you eat. No matter what “Diet” your on, or trying to follow. Watch the portion sizes, not only the caloric value. Try to get protein, carbohydrates and good fats in your diet and your skin, bones and muscle mass will thank you.

New Beauty Magazine-WINTER-SPRING 2010