Eating healthy foods, such as fruits, veggies, lean protein and whole grains, instead of sugary or nutrient-deficient foods is much better for your skin the long run. But dermatologists debate whether organic versions of these foods are better for your complexion than their conventional counterparts.
Chris Adigun, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, agrees that organic food may not be the health (or beauty) magic bullet that some people make it out to be.
"I don't recommend any specific food regimen to my patients simply because we have not been able to find any evidence that one type of diet is better or worse for skin," she says. And when it comes to organic products -- whether it's the food you eat or the products you put on your skin -- she says there's no data to show that they can improve appearance more so than nonorganic ones.
However, Adigun says that each individual is different -- and if a patient finds that eating or avoiding certain foods helps control breakouts or make their skin look better, she doesn't ignore their observations. "And of course I recommend a healthy, balanced diet, and for patients to stay well hydrated," she adds. "Not because I have hard-core evidence of any connection, but because I believe that healthy people tend to have healthy skin."
Other beauty experts make a stronger case for eating organic foods, especially meat and dairy that would otherwise be treated with antibiotics and hormones. Jeanine Downie, MD, a Montclair, New Jersey-based dermatologist, says that eating organic foods may decrease acne over time, and Charlotte, North Carolina-based dermatologist Gilly Munavalli, MD, believes that conventional dairy products contribute to breakouts among his patients. Adult acne is related to hormones, Munavalli explains, and so limiting exposure to hormones in milk products can be helpful. [Source: NewBeauty.com]
If you want to eat more organic produce, it's not a bad idea to start with foods that tend to have the most pesticide exposure. The "Dirty Dozen" is a list created by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group to remind consumers which fruits and vegetables are traditionally the most contaminated. Since its inception, the list has expanded to the "Dirty Dozen Plus," and contains apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, hot peppers, imported nectarines, peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, sweet bell peppers, kale, collard greens, and summer squash. [Source: EWG]