From Pizza to Pimples: Is your Skin Affected by your Diet?

By Jan Bowers

The age-old adage is true – what you eat does affect your skin.  The reason why, however, is not what you might expect. 

Before the why, however, it is helpful to define the what.  What, exactly, is nutrition?  “Nutrition,” according to Dr. Lynn Keegan, is “the process by which all living things utilize food for energy, growth, development, and maintenance…. Nutrition involves digesting foods and absorbing and delivering nutrients to the cells where they are utilized.  It also includes picking up and carrying the waste products to the bloodstream.”

It may surprise you to read a definition of “nutrition” that includes waste removal.  As the largest organ in the body, the skin’s main function is to excrete wastes; they ooze from our pores all day and night, earning the skin the nickname “the third kidney.”  Not only does it provide a barrier between your organs and the environment, the skin also compensates for the liver.  The primary function of the liver is to process waste.  When overburdened by a toxic environment and poor lifestyle choices, the liver adjusts by pushing toxins out through the skin.  This is where the idea that poor food choices lead to blemishes originates – too many artificial additives, overly processed foods, or too much sugar and fat, contributes to excess toxicity in the body.  These toxins are excreted in the form of pimples, blackheads, boils, rashes, and other blemishes.

Skin problems that coincide with periods of stress or great emotion are also related to liver function and toxicity.  In Chinese medicine, every emotion in the human spectrum is stored in a corresponding body part.  Anger, frustration, anxiety, and depression are all emotions that are stored in the liver, and the buildup of these emotions affects the organ’s ability to function.  Once again, the liver becomes overburdened and must rely on the skin for help.  Adult-onset acne and skin problems related to menstrual cycle, for example, are both the result of hormonal imbalances, and can be cleared by treating that underlying imbalance.

Unfortunately, we further compromise the efficiency of the liver’s “overflow system,” the skin, by blocking pores with antiperspirants, layers of makeup, and moisturizers.  Since this method of removal is then blocked, wastes are pushed back into the skin.  It is no wonder that blemishes erupt over and over again!  The skin is the largest organ in the body, and should be treated like any other – would you smear your heart with foundation and layers of makeup?  Would you expose your kidneys to the scalding temperatures of a hot daily shower?  Is it reasonable to spray your intestines with perfume sprays or lotions?

As the first course of action after determining the root cause of skin problems, I often recommend a colon cleanse.  The colon is the last part of the body toxins pass through as they move through the internal organs, and so is the first place that must be cleansed in order to relieve the liver, and consequently the skin, of its burdens.  Please do not attempt a colon cleanse without consulting a professional with experience in detoxification – at best, you will not see effective results; at worst, you may cause yourself discomfort and harm. 

Other recommendations include limiting the use of makeup and all synthetic products.  Because your skin is an organ like any other, if you can not eat it, do not put it on your face!  If you would not expect your digestive system to absorb a product, why make your skin?  If you must use products, I recommend only base gels and creams, to which are added therapeutic-grade essential oils.  Replace antiperspirants with deodorants – the body is meant to sweat!  An unpleasant odor is evidence that the lymph nodes in the arm pits are inflamed and festering, yet another side effect of toxicity.  Moderate the temperature of showers and baths. 

The connection between diet and skin problems is real, but resolving the problem is not as simple as pushing your pizza and chocolate aside.  Fortunately, there are a myriad of natural tools at our fingertips that can help protect both you and your beautiful skin in the hot summer days to come.