Nutrition’s Complex Impact on Skin Health, Aging

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Nutrition plays a significant role in skin health and aging, with its complex impact shaped by nutrient deficiencies, excesses, and environmental factors, as discussed by experts during a Friday afternoon session at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting.

Martina Cartwright, PhD, RD, and Lawrence J. Green, MD, FAAD, both recommend the Mediterranean diet to reduce inflammation and manage some dermatological symptoms. | Image Credit: fascinadora - stock.adobe.com

The Complex Relationship Between Nutrition and Skin Health

Martina Cartwright, PhD, RD, of the University of Arizona, began the session, “The Role of Nutrition in Skin Health,” by emphasizing the difficulty in establishing a link between nutrition and skin health due to limitations in assessing nutrition. She highlighted the reliance on self-reported data from food questionnaires and 24-hour diet recalls.

Cartwright also emphasized the complexity of food composition and the variability between individuals, explaining that these factors contribute to the complicated relationship between nutrition and skin health.

“Nutrition is not a cure for most dermatological conditions,” Cartwright said. “Unless the person has an imbalance or deficiency, supplementation is generally not recommended.”

Essential nutrients highlighted included water-soluble vitamins (vitamins B and C), fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, and E), and minerals (zinc, selenium, and iron). Cartwright explained that both macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies can cause skin conditions.

Conversely, excess nutrient intake from overconsumption can lead to skin issues, such as vitamin A toxicity. Similarly, various food allergies and intolerances can impact skin health, with immune responses and histamine releases playing a role.

Nutrition and Skin Health Across All Life Stages

Cartwright explained that the relationship between nutrition and skin health evolves throughout a patient’s life. In infants and children, common nutrient deficiencies include iron, vitamin B, and protein-calorie malnutrition. Also, common allergens in this group are milk, soy, nuts, and food additives.

Concerns about excessive intake include too much vitamin C from juices and supplements, as well as calorie overconsumption, which can begin at the toddler age when children start to override hunger-satiety signals. She noted that these nutrition problems can manifest as sores and skin rashes, among other symptoms.

As for adolescents, Cartwright highlighted calcium as the most common deficiency, with others being vitamins B, C, and D. Excess intake concerns include sugar, salt, stimulants, and ultraprocessed foods. In particular, ultraprocessed foods and high-glycemic-index foods contribute to acne.

Additionally, she emphasized the impact of energy drinks, which are popular among this age group. Cartwright explained that these beverages are high in sugar and caffeine, sometimes exceeding 1000 mg of caffeine, further negatively affecting their diet and skin health.

She said some habits can continue into adulthood, with common excess components including calories, sugar, caffeine, ultraprocessed foods, and saturated fats. On the other hand, common nutrient deficiencies among adults include calcium, protein, vitamin D, and omega-3. Even with age, the relationship between nutrition and skin health remains largely the same, with the overconsumption of processed foods and sugary beverages worsening skin conditions into adulthood.

Cartwright concluded by emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition throughout an individual’s life to maintain healthy skin. To mitigate some dermatological symptoms, she suggested individuals adopt the Mediterranean diet or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension meal plan. Both diets are largely plant based and incorporate healthy fats to help combat inflammation.

The Role of Nutrition in Skin Aging

Lawrence J. Green, MD, FAAD, of George Washington University, continued the discussion of the impact of nutrition on aging skin, emphasizing that it is a complex, long-term biological process that can be affected by genetic and environmental factors, such as ultraviolet light. Although poor dietary choices can exacerbate visible signs of skin aging, optimizing nutritional intake may help improve skin health.

He highlighted that those looking to slow the aged appearance of skin should increase their intake of antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3– and omega-6–rich foods. Conversely, he recommended reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods and high-sugar items. Like Cartwright, he suggested the Mediterranean diet to support this dietary approach.

Overall, Green highlighted that skin aging is a complex biological process affected by genetic and environmental factors, with nutrition being “just part of the big picture.”

“You can have the best diet, but if you’re out there baking in the sun, your skin is not going to look good,” Green said.

Skin Health and Successful Aging

The discussion on skin aging continued during a fireside chat between AAD President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, and lifestyle expert and entrepreneur Martha Stewart at the inaugural opening ceremony later that night. At 83 years old, Stewart takes pride in her good health and skin.

Throughout the conversation, she emphasized the concept of “successful aging,” which she defined as continuing to evolve professionally while prioritizing skin care. She praised dermatologists for helping individuals, like herself, achieve this goal.

“I really think what the dermatology world is doing is extremely helpful,” Stewart said. “The average age is getting older and older. As we get older, I really think you should try to help people look and feel as good as they can, and dermatology is such a big part of it.”