Social media users are promoting certain foods as helpful for achieving healthy skin. Photo: AFP
It's often said that a good breakfast is essential for a good start to the day. But some Internet users believe it's also the key to blemish-free skin.
Miso broth, salmon, oatmeal, yogurt... various foods are touted as beauty allies. The question is whether following such a routine is effective.
What if food could help make your skin glow?
On TikTok, skincare enthusiasts have found a new strategy for taking care of their skin. Code name: "skincare breakfast".
For those who haven't heard of it yet, it's all about concocting a breakfast rich in vitamins and proteins. According to some beauty enthusiasts on the web, it can be just as effective as cosmetics in erasing imperfections.
It apparently started with a video posted by TikTok user Alice C Sun, who, like many others, has problems with dry skin.
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To remedy the situation, the young woman starts her day with a breakfast of miso soup, crispy salmon, kimchi, shredded cabbage, rice and cucumber. In addition to sounding delicious, this combination of foods is said to be effective for keeping skin hydrated.
The user says that it's the foods' high protein and probiotic content that offer this benefit. And that's all it took for the video to go viral, racking up almost 600,000 views.
It doesn't stop there: in other videos, she offers a veritable feast of other "skincare dishes". These include peach and mushroom smoothies, flower syrups and lemon mocktails.
Other content creators also advocate the "skincare breakfast" in videos posted on TikTok.
In one of her posts, Isabelle Lux makes a special "glowing skin" yogurt concoction using coconut, pumpkin and chia seeds, berries and probiotics. And in another video, a user (@lifewithmils) claims that oat flakes have helped her get rid of her acne.
So, fact or fiction? Can healthy eating really help you achieve perfect skin?
According to the experts, it helps maintain good health, but skin problems don't magically disappear.
Food not the "only factor"
"There is no evidence in the science to support the use of any specific food to benefit skin," dermatologist Natalia Spierings told Metro.
While junk food can have a negative impact on complexion, the specialist says that "there is no specific food or thing someone can do to improve their skin 'from within' – aside from stop smoking if you smoke".
For nutrition expert Dr Kellyann Petrucci, food isn't the "only factor" for healthier skin.
"There is a link between the health of your gut, especially your microbiome, and the health of your skin," she told the New York Post, revealing that her top gut-friendly foods are bone broth, collagen powder and a source of fiber.
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"So if you're struggling with pesky skin-related issues that aren't responding to topical solutions, looking inward is always a good idea. And healing your gut is the first step."
That said there are foods to avoid, especially for acne-prone skin. Dr Petrucci warns against "sugary, high-carb foods", which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
She also notes that sugar ramps up the production of AGEs, which stands for 'advanced glycation end' products. These "stiffen" collagen and elastin, damaging your skin and making it harder to repair.
In turn, it accelerates skin ageing. – AFP Relaxnews
