Does a Vegan Diet Benefit Skin

Research is clear that a diet for good skin means eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods, especially deeply coloured vegetables and berries, non-saturated fats, yoghurt, lean protein, whole grains, and nuts. But, only in balance, too much or too little is never a good idea and can cause your skin to react badly. (Don’t you just hate hearing again about the benefits of a balanced diet—one of those boring truisms.) It’s boring, yes, but also truly translates into more beautiful skin, especially if your previous diet was nutrient-poor or if you ate lots of highly processed foods and sugars. However, before you embark on a new diet to improve your skin, you must first identify your skin type and establish a normal skincare routine to achieve the best results.

So, what’s the connection between a vegan diet and skin? We turned to the research to find out if there’s a positive connection between a vegan diet and aging, as well as a vegan diet and acne — the information was surprising!

A vegan diet can be a very healthy way to eat, but, as with any diet, it depends on what you eat. For example, a vegan diet high in saturated fats (such as from coconut oil), sugars, and processed foods aren’t any better for you or your skin than a diet that includes mostly meat and/or dairy products. In other words, the truth in beauty is that research hasn’t shown a vegan diet to be superior to other types of healthy eating.

There are lots of vegan foods that aren’t nutritious and can lead to visible skin issues. Refined sugar and the numerous sources of it are the most problematic, but other simple carbohydrates (like flour and white rice) that are vegan-friendly can also send skin into a tailspin.

Vegan Diet and Aging

In addition to investigating whether or not a vegan diet is preferred overall for better-looking skin, we also explored what the research had to say about a vegan anti-aging diet. As it turns out, lots of foods in a vegan diet are wonderful for keeping skin looking youthful; however, there aren’t any studies — either short- or long-term — proving that a vegan diet benefits aging skin in any way that other nutrient-rich diets don’t.

If anything, a diet that includes lean animal protein, eggs, and seafood alongside fruits, vegetables, omega fatty acids, and whole grains may lead to even better results in your skin’s appearance. That’s because a strictly vegan diet (that is, no animal protein or animal by-products such as eggs) makes it difficult to routinely consume enough high-quality protein (our skin is composed mostly of protein). We know vegans aren’t going to be happy about that comment, but we’re only quoting the research; so, as the saying goes, … don’t shoot the messenger.

Following a vegan diet also makes it tricky (but not impossible) to obtain certain nutrients that are more abundant in animal or animal-derived foods. Examples are calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, all of which are more easily obtained in the amounts your body needs from animal foods. We aren’t encouraging a meat-based diet; it’s just important that you know what the limitations of going vegan are and what supplements you may need to consider.

Vegan Diet and Acne

Turning to acne: Does following a vegan diet lead to clearer skin? Once again, the research isn’t there to support this notion. However, some people find that dairy either triggers or worsens acne; so, because vegan diets don’t allow dairy, you may see some improvement.

Otherwise, unless you’re interested in becoming vegan for other reasons, there’s no compelling evidence that eating this way will clear your skin. If you suspect dairy is a trigger, try eliminating that food group for a month or so and see how your skin responds. And no matter what your diet, always watch your consumption of sugar, so you can avoid overdoing it.

Apart from a healthy diet, there are other factors that are also important such as establishing a regular skincare routine that works for you, clocking in your beauty sleep for better skin, and so much more.

Discover Paula’s Choice skincare tips today.

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References for this information

European Journal of Nutrition, February 2017, pages 283–293
The British Journal of Nutrition, April 2015, pages 1040–1043
Aging Cell, February 2015, pages 8–15
The Permanente Journal, Spring 2013, pages 61–66
Clinics in Dermatology, November-December 2010, pages 598–604
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, February 2006, pages 35–41