Your skin is what you eat

By Arusha Campbell-Chambers

It's the beginning of a brand new year, a time when many make resolutions for healthy lifestyle changes. It is also a time when many face the harsh realities of these difficult economic times. Even in this economic environment, there are still ways in which we can strive towards healthy living and healthy skincare.

In our last two articles, we focused on skincare products that can help us maintain healthy skin. There are many other simple ways in which we can help keep our skin healthy. For example, a healthy diet can complement a healthy skincare routine and medical treatment. Eating the right kind of food can help your body's ability to heal and keep the skin youthful.

It is recommended that we eat a balanced diet that includes raw foods, plenty of yellow and orange vegetables, fruits, seeds, grains and nuts. Even foods high in sulfur such as garlic, onions, and eggs can also be beneficial. Avocados are a great source of biotin that helps to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails. Green tea contains lots of polyphenols, which can reduce inflammation and ageing, and may even help reduce cancer formation.

Avoid smoking

These are just a few examples of beneficial nutrients. While more studies are needed to prove just how much of these nutrients are absorbed into the skin when taken by mouth, it has been found that a healthy diet does help us maintain healthier skin, and healthier lives in general. As it is said, 'You are what you eat!' Another way in which we can maintain healthy skin is by avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake. This is also a way for us to keep more money in our pockets at the same time!

Reducing stress can also help us keep our skin youthful and healthy. Everywhere around us there are situations that can be perceived as 'stressing us out'. However, we each have a choice in the way we view stress and what we allow to stress us out. We need to work on our coping mechanisms so that we can view ourselves as victors and not victims and learn not to sweat the small stuff.

Facial wrinkles

On that note, reducing frowning can also minimise the development of unwanted facial wrinkles. Sleeping on our back instead of on our tummies can also help prevent some facial wrinkles.

There are lots of treatments that are available to take care of your skin concerns. However, prevention is always easier than cure, and these simple measures are a step in the right direction. Indeed, we can help maintain beautiful skin, even on a limited budget. I leave you with a few lines from a popular song by Mary Schmich:

"Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. Don't worry about the future. Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. Enjoy your body ... and trust me on the sunscreen."

Happy New Year to you all!

Dr Arusha Campbell-Chambers is a dermatologist and founder of Dermatology Solutions Skin Clinics & Medi-Spas; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.