The Perfect Skin Diet!
excerpted from 6 Best Foods for Healthy Skin by David Zinczenko
1. SALMON
Salmon is an ideal food for many reasons, but as far as your skin’s concerned, there’s only one that matters: It’s among the world’s greatest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Those are the essential fats that, along with bolstering the cognitive powers of your brain, concentrate in the walls of your epidermal cells to help lock in moisture. Plus, in one study, researchers supplemented two groups of mice with either omega-3 or omega-6 fats. After two weeks, the skin of the omega-3-fed group exhibited a 20 percent faster recovery rate from exposure to ultraviolet light. That gives salmon two crucial skin boons: keeping your skin from looking dry and helping it battle the dangers of excessive sunlight.
Other omega-3 foods: sardines, walnuts, flaxseed
Bonus Tip: Sushi is one of my favorite ways to eat salmon. Use our Ultimate Sushi Selector to make sure your sushi roll doesn’t turn into a belly roll.
2. CARROTS
Carrots are teeming with tiny orange pigments called beta-carotene, and when you ingest those pigments, you’re inviting them to nestle into your skin, fill in blotches, and give you a healthy glow. And what’s more, research shows that this can actually help prevent premature aging from sun damage. But is the accumulation of orange in your skin going to make you look like an extra from Jersey Shore? Well, hopefully not. But eating excessive loads of carotene-rich foods can lead to a condition called carotenosis, wherein your skin stops looking healthy and starts looking, well, orange. But the conditions is rare, so unless you notice yourself turning into a prison jumpsuit, feel free to chow down.
Other beta-carotene foods: sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, red grapefruit
3. AVOCADO
One study published by The Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people with higher intakes of olive oil had fewer wrinkles than people with higher intakes of butter. The reason: Butter is loaded with saturated fat, while olive oil is rich in monounsaturates, the same essential fats that make up more than 50% of the calories in an avocado. So why eat avocado over olive oil? Both are good, but avocados have the added bonus of B vitamins, which also help to keep your skin looking vibrant and smooth.
Other monounsaturated-fat foods: olive oil, almonds, peanut butter
Bonus Tip: These foods are only the tip of the super-food iceberg. Click here for 15 more Foods that Cure.
4. BEANS
Legumes, to be more precise. This is the class of plants that includes black beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. And how do these puny pods protect your face? By smoothing out wrinkles. Australian researchers analyzed the diets of more than 400 elderly men and women and found that high intakes of legumes—alongside vegetables and healthy fats—resulted in 20% fewer wrinkles over time. The effect is likely a result of isoflavones—potent antioxidants—concentrated in the beans.
Other isoflavone-rich foods: alfalfa, tempeh, tofu
5. GRAPES
Besides providing protection from heart attack and stroke, antioxidants called polyphenols found in grapes can also help keep middle-aged skin from sagging. That’s because polyphenols improve skin’s elasticity by strengthening collagen, the primary protein in skin’s innermost layer.
Other polyphenol-rich foods: grape juice, blueberries
Bonus Tip: Here’s another easy way to tighten your skin and improve your looks: Lose 5 pounds. Start here: 10 simple weight-loss strategies that work.
6. WATER
Okay, it’s not as fun to drink as wine, but water is the strongest weapon you have against lifeless skin. That’s why they call it “moisturizing”—because you’re trying to lock moisture, aka water, into your skin. To put it broadly, all the body’s processes rely on hydration, so if you’re not sipping throughout the day, you’re likely to have a slower metabolism, groggier head, and, yes, drier skin. One study suggested that it takes a mere half-liter of water to create a measurable increase in the capillary blood flow to your body’s outer layer. That’s just over 16 ounces. Try doing that a few times a day and you’ll have a face like a baby’s bottom in no time.
Other water-rich foods: watermelon, peaches, celery
This technique utilizes a specially designed surgical instrument to carefully remove the topmost layers of skin, resulting in a beautiful refinished look. Epidermal Leveling removes dead skin cells in addition to the fine vellous facial hair (”peach fuzz”) that can trap excess dirt and oil and leave the complexion looking dull. It also stimulates &rejuvenates skin tissue, making it an effective way to reduce acne scarring, uneven pigmentation, and fine lines & wrinkles. Most people notice marked improvements in the texture and appearance of their skin immediately after their first treatment, making it an excellent procedure to have prior to a special event. Epidermal Leveling can be used alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as enzyme infusions, peels or microcurrent. It is non-invasive and does not require the use of any chemicals, making it suitable even for our pregnant and nursing clients. A 
~ A Message From Carol~ at GoodSkin LA
Put simply, your skin has no receptors for glycolic acid, so it’s method of action is to destroy whatever it can. We believe the effects you see are because the skin, in response to the trauma, replaces itself with new layers. The epidermis swells a little in response to the inflammation, and the new skin is less pigmented. Sounds good, BUT, the net effect is the skin’s resources were used to repair the recent damage (to the epidermis) rather than repairing the substantial damage (to the dermis), which was the initial treatment goal. Chronic exfoliation of the epidermis, starves the dermis of vital nutrients, water and lipids leaving an often red, painful and irritated skin. We believe there is a time and place for a glycolic treatment, but it is the exception rather than the rule.
Incredible Summer Skin Specials not to be missed. Expires Aug 5 2009.