But we're talking about eating foods and drinks that are rich in retinol.
advertisement'Eat and Drink Your Skincare' is just as it sounds, i.e., consuming foods and drinks that are as or more effective than following a 10-step skincare routine.
According to her, the inclusion of skincare foods in the diet goes a long way over applying skincare products which are costly and also at times “detrimental to health”.
Whereas, dietary inclusion of nourishing food not only helps skin health but also makes one healthy inside out,” says Rane.
If you want that glass skin, remember that just doing a 10-step Korean/Japanese skincare routine won’t help; eating and drinking your skincare is equally important.
"Starts doing skincare”
Skin doesn’t care...
“Starts eating skincare”
Skin glows better than ever...
If you're into skincare, your social media algorithm must have shown you Reels or short videos (on YouTube Shorts) where influencers and nutritionists talk about 'eating' or 'drinking' your skincare.
No, we're not discussing having a few drops of your retinol serum in water. But we're talking about eating foods and drinks that are rich in retinol.
What is the trend?
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'Eat and Drink Your Skincare' is just as it sounds, i.e., consuming foods and drinks that are as or more effective than following a 10-step skincare routine.
We will get to what are these foods and drinks in a bit, but before that, have a look at some of these videos:
Why is it important?
"Skincare products are great, but only using them might not fix all our skin issues. We should also focus on what we're eating and staying hydrated to help our skin from the inside out," says Dr Meghna Mour, an aesthetic dermatologist, cosmetologist, trichologist, & laser specialist and founder of Skuccii Supercliniq, Mumbai. Skincare products are great, but only using them might not fix all our skin issues. Photo: Unsplash
Chaitali Rajendra Rane, a clinical dietician from PD Hinduja Hospital, Khar, Mumbai, agrees.
According to her, the inclusion of skincare foods in the diet goes a long way over applying skincare products which are costly and also at times “detrimental to health”.
“Most skincare products contain alcohol, and they also lead to hormonal deviations leading to various health impacts (a recent study on Clinique's acne products shows the same). Whereas, dietary inclusion of nourishing food not only helps skin health but also makes one healthy inside out,” says Rane.
How to get the trend right?
Dr DM Mahajan, a senior consultant of dermatology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, explains that the best way to approach this trend of drinking and eating your skincare is to focus on a balanced diet that naturally includes nutrients beneficial for skin health.
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“This approach emphasises whole, nutrient-rich foods rather than supplements or drinks,” says Dr Mahajan.
According to him, to get this trend right, we should:
Consume a variety of nutrients
Incorporate a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet. This variety ensures you receive a range of vitamins and minerals important for skin health.
Prioritise foods high in antioxidants
Foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts, can help protect the skin from oxidative stress.
This oxidative stress can lead to your skin ageing faster and can cause other diseases like cancer or even heart disease. Berries are rich in anti-oxidants. Photo: Unsplash
Even though, according to experts, we need more research on this, a few studies have suggested that antioxidants can be the answer to all your skin problems.
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For instance, a 2021 review on antioxidants suggests that they help to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation (preventing skin ageing).
Include Omega-3 fatty acids
Dr Mahajan says that foods like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts provide Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help maintain the skin's moisture and elasticity. Foods like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids. Photo: Unsplash
In fact, a 2024 study shows that Omega-3 fatty acids can have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help improve acne severity.
Stay hydrated
There is no doubt that drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining skin hydration and overall health.
How much to drink? Experts suggest that 3.7 litres of water per day for men and 2.7 litres for women from all your sources of water.
Here are some examples:
We asked experts to give us some examples of food and drinks that can amp up our skincare game.
Let us break it down for you.
First off, let us start with food.
1. Citrus fruits
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Rane says that the easiest and most chosen food source is vitamin C, which affects our skin in a good way.
How? Dr Mahajan says that Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps in collagen production and skin repair.
Foods that contain Vitamin C include: Orange, lemon, grapefruit and amla (Indian gooseberry). Vitamin C helps in collagen production and skin repair. Photo: Unsplash
“The best way to include citrus fruits would be a whole fruit or juices as a mid-morning routine,” adds Rane.
2. Carrots
Dr Mour says that carrots are packed with beta-carotene which can boost skin cell turnover 'just like retinol', which helps rejuvenate our skin.
Rane further agrees and says that carrots have Vitamin A, which helps in removing toxins from the body, which helps in achieving ‘glowing skin’.
3. Tomatoes
Remember that infamous DIY hack that used tomatoes to remove all your tanning?
Well, according to experts, if you eat tomatoes, which is a source of lycopene which can help protect the skin from UV damage (a natural sunscreen, we can say?). Tomatoes help with curing dry skin. Photo: Unsplash
A 2022 study did extensive research on tomatoes (yes, on tomatoes), and found that they can also help in curing dry skin, and eczema and even have anti-cancerous properties (so, stop plucking out tomatoes from your plate).
4. Nuts
According to Rane, nuts like almonds and walnuts are sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help as antioxidants and healthy fat.
“Almonds contain Vitamin E which can help keep your skin hydrated and elastic,” says Dr Mour.
5. Red bell pepper
Red bell peppers are more than adding colour to your food platter. Red peppers are rich in collagen, which helps in skin tightening. Photo: Unsplash
Rane explains that red bell pepper contains capsanthin, which helps protect against sun damage to the skin.
They are also rich in collagen, which helps in skin tightening.
6. Avocado
“Avocado is a good source of healthy fats and Vitamin E, which can help maintain skin moisture and protect against UV damage,” says Rane.
What about drinking?
Dr Mahajan says that certain liquids can contribute to skin health.
1. Berry smoothies
Rane explains that blackberries are rich in polyphenols, a chemical compound found in plants.
“These polyphenols work as antioxidants to prevent skin damage and maintain the structural integrity of skin,” says Rane.
2. Grape juice
No, we are not talking about fermented grapes, but rather just grape juice (avoid adding extra sugar to it).
“Grapes contain resveratrol which has an anti-ageing effect on the skin and may prevent dark spots from forming,” says Rane.
3. Green tea
Green tea is also a hydrating beverage made up of about 99% water. Green tea reduces roughness and scaling of the skin. Photo: Unsplash
Rane adds that several studies have shown that tea may reduce roughness and scaling of the skin and boost hydration and elasticity.
4. The OG: Water
Our skin cells consist of up to 64% water, meaning it significantly affects our skin’s health and appearance.
5. Vegetable juice
The ABC juice is viral for a reason. The ABC here stands for Apple, Beetroot Carrot.
“When not strained, fibre helps to remove toxins from the body, hence nourishing the skin by removing the deadline skin and toxins,” explains Rana.
Remember
Experts believe combining a healthy diet with topical skincare can be a comprehensive approach to maintaining good skin health.
If you want that glass skin, remember that just doing a 10-step Korean/Japanese skincare routine won’t help; eating and drinking your skincare is equally important.
Published By: Dristi Sharma Published On: May 2, 2024
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