Foods for Healthy Skin: Eat Them or Wear Them?
Skincare: Eat It or Wear It? Catherine Censor
Eat It or Wear It?
Most new skincare products look like the result of a mesh between the cosmetics counter and the grocery store. Food ingredients such as avocados, milk, fish and even coffee are making their way into lotions and potions promising smoother, younger skin. But do they really work? We turned to Diane Berson, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City to let us know whether we're better off eating this stuff...or wearing it. But before we got down to the various products, she explained that the scientific evidence for the benefits of these ingredients - - whether taken orally or applied topically - - leaves a lot to be desired. "There are few controlled clinical trials so there is a dearth of any direct evidence that eating these things or using them topically will improve the health of your skin. However we do know that when patients use them they do look and feel better," Dr. Berson says.
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Ingredient: Almonds
Why you should eat them: These nuts are loaded with healthful fats, fiber, iron and Vitamin E, an antioxidant. Why should wear them: Actually, you probably shouldn't. Although almond oil is fine as a moisturizer, "almond scrubs are not great for the skin because they're abrasive and can cause microscopic tears." Verdict: Eat them.
Ingredient: Avocado
Why you should eat it: Like fish oil, avocado is a "healthy fat" -- a monounsaturated fat that's beneficial for your cardiovascular system. Why you should wear it: According to Berson, "When applied topically, it's more of an emollient than anything else." Verdict: Eat them. "They might give you a healthy glow," Berson says.
Ingredient: Milk
Why you should drink it: While it might be great stuff for bones, "Drinking milk doesn't do much for the skin," Berson insists. Why you should wear it: "A milk compress is great for red, inflamed, itchy skin. Make a compress of half milk, half water and some ice, dip a washcloth in it and apply as a compress - - it's very soothing," Berson says. She also likes the topical application of lactic acid, found in milk. "It's a humectant - - meaning it holds water or binds it in the skin. It also sloughs off the dead, outer layer of skin, making it feel smoother and look more glowing." Verdict: Wear it! This is one instance where topical is better than oral.
Ingredient: Vitamin C
Why you should eat it: Found in fruits and vegetables, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to undo damage from sunlight. Why you should wear it: Applied topically, Vitamin C does much the same thing that it does when you take it internally. "Topical Vitamin C may help improve photodamaged skin as much as oral," Berson says. Verdict: Eat it AND wear it. "Ostensibly, both will help your skin look better," Berson says.
Ingredient: Caffeine
Why you should drink it: Sorry, there's no good skin-beautifying rationalization for that double espresso. "Caffeine is a diuretic and although you probably won't dehydrate from consuming coffee, it could potentially make your skin look drier - - it's not going to do anything great for your skin," Berson says. Why you should wear it: A new topical product containing coffee berry has actually been shown to improve the signs of photodamage. "Because caffeine is also a vasoconstrictor, it might temporarily reduce the redness of rosacea," Berson says. "It's also used in cellulite products because the dehydrating effect reduces swelling and might also reduce puffiness." Verdict: Wear it. But when it comes to the cellulite claims, keep your expectations realistically low.
Ingredient: Fish Oil
Why you should eat it: "There's anecdotal evidence that fish oil, when taken orally, is good for cardiovascular health and supposedly skin health," says Berson. "It has anti-inflammatory properties so it may help decrease inflammation due to photodamage and therefore prevent photoaging." Why you should wear it: "It wouldn't be absorbed through the skin but it might have an emollient, moisturizing affect." Verdict: You're probably better off eating it.
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