Do antioxidants in your diet help your skin?

September 20, 2012

Do antioxidants in your diet help your skin?
Do antioxidants in your diet help your skin?

It seems like every few weeks yet another study comes out touting the health benefits of antioxidants, which can be found in foods like berries, nuts and fruits. You may have also heard that such nutrients not only help with general health, but can also benefit your body's largest organ - the skin. A recent article in The Canadian looked at whether such claims are true, or really just fluff.

Before you start relying too heavily on blueberries and walnuts to keep your skin clear, the news source points out that there are other measures necessary to care for your epidermis. There are countless products on the market - and we mean countless - for your skin, and the key is to find out what works for you and stick with it. Don't overdo it - using too many products can dry out your skin, or they may counteract each other.

Hydration is also key to healthy looking skin, the news outlet reports. Water flushes out the toxins in your body, not to mention it keeps you feeling energized and balanced.

But yes, antioxidants found in natural foods do help keep your skin healthy, as do certain vitamins and minerals you can get through healthy eating. Though antioxidant-rich foods are good for you, remember that too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Consuming a well-rounded diet will help you get the right amount of vitamins and minerals without overdoing it. If you aren't sure what kind of foods you should be eating, the best bet is to talk to a nutritionist who can help design a program just for you.

WebMD explains that antioxidants can help protect your skin from damage. Vitamin C is one antioxidant that helps tissue repair itself and regrow. Vitamin A is also handy for cell growth, while the antioxidant known as Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 helps guard cells from damage.

Of course, even with the healthiest of diets, our skin is likely to change as we age. Poor dieting, exposure to the sun and smoking can all speed up the aging process, but no matter what we do, time will likely bring about wrinkles and sagging skin at some point. That's why cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections and facelifts have become so popular.

If you're interested in anti-aging procedures that can't be rubbed into the skin or consumed in your diet, speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon. He or she will be able to help you decide what options are available to you, and answer any questions you may have.


The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

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About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

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