Sally Cronin gives seasonal nutritional advice for working on reception

I am a guy in my late 20’s and just lately, I have found that my skin has been getting very dry particularly on my face. I have tried expensive face creams specifically for men but it does not seem to be making any difference. Is there anything that I can include in my diet to help? D.H.

It is only really in the last twenty years or so that men’s facial care has become such big business but to be honest, I have found that sometimes it is better to use something very simple and pure such as Vitamin E cream, Aloe Vera products and moisturisers. This also applies to your shaving gel or cream and the best products tend to be glycerine based. Avoid any alcohol based aftershaves and toners as they will dry out the skin.

If you are using an electric shaver all the time then this may also be part of the problem so I suggest wet shaving for the next month using as natural products as possible and this should help.

This however is really just the tip of the iceberg as most of the problem with skin is under the surface and has a great deal to do with our diet and lifestyle. One of the signs of skin under stress is extreme dryness. It is important to take a good look at your current diet and compare it with some of the suggestions that I offer below and see if in fact you are contributing to your skin condition by not including essential nutrients your skin needs to be healthy.

Our skin weighs 12 to 15% of our body weight and is actually the largest organ of the body with three very vital roles to play. It protects us from external contaminants, acts as a temperature and moisture controller and is essential in the elimination of waste products.

Because of the skin’s role in the elimination of waste products and as a barrier to external contaminants it comes under increasing stress as we get older. Free radicals attack it from the outside from chemicals in household cleaners, cigarette smoke, pollution and ultra-violet light. From the inside, it is the victim of a poor diet low in essential fatty acids and nutrients and high in processed foods, alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

The key to healthy, supple skin is to work from the inside to the outside and minimise your exposure to chemicals wherever possible such as cigarette smoke.

For the next month try to eliminate all fizzy drinks, reduce your coffee intake to just a couple of cups per day. Substitute as many processed foods as possible with fresh alternatives and ensure that you are getting at least 8 hours sleep per night to allow your body including your skin to recover from your busy lifestyle.

START WITH DRINKING WATER.

Lack of fluids causes blotchy and dry dull skin, so make sure that you are drinking at least 2 litres of water a day, which will improve both the texture and the tone.

INCLUDE THE RIGHT BALANCE OF NUTRIENTS IN YOUR DIET.

You need a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, with the right amount of the essential nutrients to ensure that all the body systems, such as waste management, are working efficiently. If you are not eliminating waste then it will accumulate and cause tissues such as skin to become lifeless and dull.

We are essentially made up of water and protein. The skin needs sufficient protein in the diet and this does not mean eating 5lbs of prime-rib every day. Protein is present in lots of plant foods as well and these would include all types of beans, sprouting seeds and beans, cheese, milk, whole grains. Live yoghurt is great as it also contains the friendly bacteria to keep your intestines healthy. If they are working efficiently then of course you will be eliminating a great many toxins.

We need a certain amount of fat, not only for the B vitamins that it supplies but also because it assists in circulation and improves the suppleness and softness of skin. Vitamin B – complex is very important for skin tone and the B vitamins are also great for the immune system - keeping us clear of infections.

Other vitamins that we should be taking in for our skin health are Vitamin A, which strengthens and repairs the tissues. It is a powerful anti-oxidant, which keeps your skin clear of toxins.

Vitamin C is vital for wound healing and maintenance of the blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, which keep the skin oxygenated and moisturised.

Vitamin E is definitely a great anti-oxidant and has an anti-inflammatory effect when applied directly to the skin. It helps keep the skin soft and smooth and has a mild sunscreen effect.

Zinc works like the vitamin C and E and is great for wound healing and in a cream is great for mild rashes etc.

The best diet for great skin is plenty of fresh and preferably raw fruit and vegetables packed with antioxidants. Wholegrains that will provide fibre and help you eliminate toxins. Lean poultry and oily fish and daily helpings of zinc rich foods such as pumpkinseeds are essential.

Try the “Gentle Detox” in the January issue of my magazine, which you can download free from the website. It also gives plenty of suggestions for meals and snacks.

My “superfood” for this condition is Avocado, which is packed with the above nutrients and works well in skin products.