At our practice, we see lots of folks with challenging skin conditions. The one commonality among all of them? Diet! Without exception, diet has some kind of influence on our skin, and often times, it’s a big piece of the puzzle. Check out the below easy reference table on what and what not to eat with common skin conditions. Always consider a quick detox program to get you started here.
For all these skin conditions, you should avoid highly processed foods of any kind, as well as foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates. Choose organic foods as much as you can as well as lots of colorful low-carbohydrate veggies.
As with all medical conditions, consult your functional medicine doctor if you need more support J
Young skin
Eat this: Fresh, “rainbow” veggies, herbs and spices. Omega 3 fats: nuts & seeds, clean fish. ½ body weight in ounces of water per day. Quarterly detox such as this one.
Don’t Eat This! Consider a gluten and dairy free 4-week trial.
Dry skin
Eat this: Fresh, “rainbow” veggies. Omega 3 fats: nuts & seeds, clean fish. Add Evening Primrose Oil.
Eczema
Eat this: Extra Omega 3 fats, hydration. Probiotic and prebiotic foods.
Don’t Eat This! Stop dairy, soy, eggs and gluten for four weeks.
Acne
Eat this: Vitamin A, zinc. Digestive teas. Try a low FODMAPs diet.
Don’t Eat This! Stop chocolate & dairy x 4 weeks. See our guide to doing a dairy elimination.
Keratosis pilaris (“chicken skin”)
Eat this: Vitamin D and A, zinc. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids like nuts, seeds, oily fish, or use a fish oil supplement.
Rosacea (adult acne)
Eat this: Low FODMAPs diet with a digestive tea.
Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff, cradle cap)
Eat this: High biotin foods such as eggs, almonds, cauliflower.
Psoriasis
Eat this: Probiotic and prebiotic foods. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids like nuts, seeds, oily fish, or use a fish oil supplement.
Don’t Eat This! Stop dairy, soy, eggs and gluten for four weeks.