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No matter what your skincare concerns are, chances are your diet can be impacting it. Just like anything else in our bodies, our skin is affected by the foods we eat. And for many of us, eating unhealthy foods can worsen or aggravate existing skin ailments.
One of the most common issues people face is with inflammation. Acne, redness and even eczema can all be made worse by inflammation – especially when your diet is at the root of it.
“Skin is directly effected by the food you eat,” Stefani Kappel, M.D., a board-certified and fellowship-trained Newport Beach dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, told SheFinds. “Also drinking plenty of water (2L) a day will make your skin look it’s best. Avoiding dairy is also important to reduce inflammation in the skin.”
Also referred to as dermatitis, eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed. This causes redness and itchiness in most people, and can be very irksome.
Eczema is actually a very common ailment, with over 31 million Americans having some form of it, according to the National Eczema Organization.
There is a wide variety of factors that can cause or worsen eczema, and while dairy products won't necessarily incite a flare-up for everyone, cutting out foods that cause inflammation may be beneficial.
And Dr. Kappel is not the only expert who recommends avoiding dairy products to prevent inflammation or eczema on the skin.
Dr. Anthony Rossi, MD, told us, "Dairy foods have also been on the radar for acne-prone skin. Whey proteins which cause the insulin effects of milk may contribute more to acne development than the actual fat or dairy content."
