Nutritional Dermatology: Improving Dietary Choices to Promote Skin Health

In modern society, having young, smooth skin is a common pursuit. People spare no expense to buy cosmetics and consult plastic surgeons and dermatologists for perfect skin. However, many people overlook improving skin health through dietary changes. Although studies have explored the impact of nutrition and certain specific nutrients and phytonutrients on skin health, there is currently no dietary recommendation for healthy skin, but evidence suggests they are essential for skin health: vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols/flavonoids, copper, selenium, and silicon; although the types of carotenoids seem limited, they actually include many compounds, only a few of which have been studied in depth (e.g., beta-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin).