The old adage "you are what you eat" doesn't just apply to your overall health. Science has continually proven that everything we ingest also has an effect on the biggest organ in our bodies, our skin. This means our food choices actually play a large role in what we see in the mirror every day.
If you want to improve your skin's natural hydration and suppleness, and promote healthy oil production, cosmetic dermatologist Christopher O'Connell, MD, says a key dietary ingredient to add to your diet is omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, our bodies aren't capable of producing them on their own, so we have to make the effort to add them to our daily diet to reap the skin care rewards.
"Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in wild-caught salmon and veggies like spinach," he said. They can also be found in healthy snacks like walnuts and you can add them to smoothies, yogurt, or juices in the form of flax seeds. The recommended daily dose can range from 500 to 1,000 mg. For reference, one can of tuna fish provides just over 500 mg. Omega-3 supplements can also help achieve your skin care goals, but you should talk to your doctor before adding them to your routine.
