The ultimate guide to skin type diets

An effective skin care routine can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and fight off any infections. Arguably, the best step you can take towards keeping your skin in good condition is understanding the type of skin you have.

The type of skin one has is mostly determined by genetics. Other factors such as geography, daily routine and even diet can play a role in your overall skin health. There are typically 5 (healthy) skin types. Normal, oily, dry, combination of oily and dry, and sensitive.

Normal Skin

This is when the skin has a clean and soft appearance. The skin isn't too dry, nor is it too oily. Normal skin isn't always perfect. In fact, it can also be susceptible to various skin conditions, like blemishes or even occasional dryness or oiliness.

Oily Skin

Oily skin usually has a bright and shiny appearance. This is caused by excessive fat production by the sebaceous glands. This is typically a hormonal or genetic response.

Dry Skin

Most of the time, dry skin is a product of external factors such as weather, low air humidity or hot showers. In many cases, dry skin tends to crack, exposing itself to bacteria that could lead to other skin conditions.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is characterized by dry, flaking skin on the cheeks, and excessively oily skin in the T-Zone. The T-zone refers to the forehead, nose, and chin.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin generally refers to skin that is more prone to inflammation. People with sensitive skin will typically have local reactions to chemicals, dyes, or fragrances that are present in any product that comes in contact with their skin. This includes face washes, shampoos, lotions and perfumes.

Diet

The best diet for a normal skin type is a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein

Dry skin is thirsty skin. Drinking water not only keeps your body hydrated, it also refreshes and helps maintain your skin's elasticity. Drinking about 2 liters of water per day can reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles and fine lines. Many kinds of toxins can enter and clog the pores on dry and cracked skin, leading to oily skin and acne. Here are more tips to help relieve dry skin.

One of the best ways to combat oily skin is with whole grains, fish and poultry. Whole grains such as brown rice, barley and oats are rich in fibers which aide the body's digestion, which leads to less clogged pores. They are also a good source of B-vitamins, which help in fat processing and prevent inflammation-related skin damage.

Combination skin is a mix of oily and dry, so it's important to take a close look at how food is affecting your skin health on a daily basis. Generally, experts recommend balancing your overall diet to prevent in inflammation flare-ups or dry spells. An example would be if your diet is carb heavy, you would want to limit the amount of carbs and make sure your selection is mostly from the complex variety such as whole grains. Limiting your processed foods and sugar intake also plays a role. Spikes in sugar levels and other hormones can wreak havoc on your skin.

If you have sensitive skin, your main concern should be protection. Your skin is very susceptible to inflammation, so foods high in sugars and saturated fats should be in eaten in moderation. Foods high in anti-oxidants naturally have a protective effect on the skin. You will want to have a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans and omega 3 fatty acids. All these will keep the skin hydrated and provide the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin function.

References

Bowers, E. S. (n.d.). Your diet & healthy skin. WebMD. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/diet-and-skin.

Bouchez, C. (2021, June 4). The abcs of a healthy skin diet. WebMD. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/abcs-of-healthy-skin-diet#1.

Lawrence E. Gibson, M. D. (2019, December 17). The best foods for healthy skin. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/healthy-skin/faq-20058184.