Foods that are kind to your skin

Q. Can some foods really make your skin look better?

A. Yes. Whole fresh foods are good for all of your body including your skin. Certain foods are better than others at helping your skin stay clear, younger, and healthier. There is a book I love and recommend all the time titled, SuperFoods by Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews. It goes through an entire list of foods that are really good for you in every way. Some super foods for your skin include, strawberries, oranges and other citrus, red peppers and broccoli for their high levels of vitamin C. This essential element helps skin build collagen for support. Wild salmon, walnuts and omega-3 fortified eggs all fight the effects of free radical damage in the skin. It’s the omega-3 fatty acid in these foods that is the hero. Omega-3 has been shown to reduce inflammation caused by stress and sun damage. When you want to eat veggies opt for lots of color. Dark orange foods like sweet potatoes and squash, leafy deep greens like spinach and any red vegetable will be packed with vitamin A, in my opinion the super star performer when it comes to the skin. Vitamin A regulates cell production and cell turn over, helping skin do what it does best. Having new skin cells to replace old ones is the very core of what our skin function is all about, cell turn over creates smooth fresh new skin. Get hooked on nuts too. Almonds are one of the best nuts as are sunflower seeds because they are full of vitamin E. This vitamin gets a lot of attention because of its healing properties. This antioxidant protects the skin from UV damage and helps the skin stay hydrated. If you suffer with some acne issues try and eat a diet that is low in sugar, lower in carbohydrates. These foods keep your insulin levels steady and new research shows that spikes in insulin and sugar levels cause the hormone androgen to elevate and cause breakouts. Lastly don’t forget the hardest working element in our diet, water. Skin needs water just like the rest of your body. Skin cells are mostly water. Six to eight glasses a day should do it. It may be tempting to read this and think you just need to supplement by taking individual vitamins daily. Not true. It’s the whole foods that are so good for you and your skin.

Using Bar Soaps

Q. I always use bar soap and my friend tells me I am damaging my skin. Is that true, is bar soap damaging to skin?

A. Not as a general rule. Bar soap has really gotten an undeserved bad reputation. Most bar soaps are not bad. Spa Magazine’s January edition quotes Jennifer Reichel, M.D., director of Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, as saying, “Some bar soaps can be very gentle and moisturizing and do not necessarily trap oils and chemicals.” The soaps that are best to avoid are the ones that contain synthetic detergents and high amounts of perfume. These can be over drying and the chemicals can be detrimental to your skin. Organic soaps and soaps with emollients like coconut oil, she butter or olive oil can be very good for your skin. Your question was if bar soap was damaging. You did not ask if bar soap is the best choice of cleaner for your skin. In truth, your friend may be aware of the fact that while not damaging, there could be cleansing solutions that are better choices for you. If you have any skin care concerns such as, anti-aging, acne, or dryness the skincare industry is full of real effective cleansers that can target these problems better than the simple bar of soap. Your face especially may benefit from targeted higher end cleansers. That said, many soaps in bar and pump formulas are effective, safe and many times beneficial in cleansing your skin.