The Surprising Truth About Glowing Skin: Food, Weed, Cigarettes And Skincare

By Hernán Panessi via El Planteo

When we ponder the best diet for skin care, we might as well consider what's best for the entire body. Why so? Well, because the skin, being the largest organ (yes, the skin is an organ) and exposed to everything around us, is intricately linked to almost all of the body's systems.

So, what should we keep in mind to take care of our skin in the best possible way?

"It's proven that foods high in fats like chocolate or those high in sugars lead to protein glycosylation. That is, having so much sugar in the blood can alter the walls of the veins and arteries that nourish the skin. Therefore, it can cause inflammation or make the skin look aesthetically aged," dermatologist Luca Garin Troyer explains.

Basic Skin Care

The skin serves as a barrier. To maintain a healthy barrier, the best foods are those associated with a balanced diet: "Lean meats, avoiding sodas, coffee, and chocolate. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, in foods high in vitamin C, which generate antioxidants to, precisely, reduce inflammation that a diet high in fats and sugars could cause."

Beyond Good Nutrition

Is there more to improving skin than just a healthy diet?

The most straightforward and obvious answer is, "yes." Beyond a healthy diet, physical activity is always recommended to stimulate the cardiovascular system and keep a well-adjusted heart.

This includes reducing or, better yet, avoiding smoking altogether.

Routines And Cigarettes

Anything else? Yes, maintaining a routine for body and facial skin care is something Garin Troyer tirelessly repeats among his patients and also on his social media, which he uses to disseminate his research area.

"We are exposed, especially in the summer, to ultraviolet radiation. In excess, ultraviolet radiation damages our DNA. Some cells may mutate and could cause an uncontrolled proliferation that leads to cancer," the dermatologist warns.

He also recommends using sunscreen on photo-exposed areas: face, neck, arms, legs.

"I believe that a facial and body routine, while simple, is quite effective. And then, we can add anti-aging products that prevent or reduce photoaging," adds Garin Troyer.

Tobacco And Our Skin

The dermatologist insists that tobacco harms the cardiovascular system and, consequently, affects the skin. Why? "Consider that, while tobacco or cigarettes contain more than 300 mutagenic and carcinogenic substances, one smokes through the mouth and ingests that smoke, heat and high temperatures."

And what does this have to do with the skin? "The skin is irrigated by the cardiovascular system. And smoking will promote poorer irrigation of the skin, in addition to exposing it to said carcinogenic substances."

Cannabis And Our Skin

"Regarding cannabis, we must differentiate between topical cannabis and smoked cannabis. As for smoked cannabis, I obviously don't believe it has the same amounts of pro-carcinogenic substances as tobacco or cigarettes. But yes, what happens with smoking cannabis is that the heat from combustion is very harmful," he explains.

And he continues: "I don't think there are studies proving that skin cancer is associated with cannabis use. Yes, I have no doubt, it can cause problems in the oral cavity. Now, the application of topical cannabis, that is, in medicinal creams, has been well studied and is associated with its anti-inflammatory properties. I have had good experiences and normal experiences."

Garin Troyer, a dermatologist who graduated from the University of Buenos Aires with a specialization from the General Hospital of Acute Cases Dr. Juan Antonio Fernández, has used creams with cannabinoids, anti-aging moisturizers, and others with antioxidant mechanisms provided by medicinal cannabinoids in his professional life.

Nevertheless, he urges some caution, as "this industry is just taking off."

Health First

In the meantime, he strongly recommends avoiding photodamage (using tanning lotions), sedentary lifestyles, poor diet and smoking. As such, he insists on the importance of annual clinical check-ups.

—Where should one start if they've never properly cared for their skin and want to begin?

—First, consult with a dermatologist. We need to check our moles once a year. I talk about this before anti-aging products, wrinkles and whatnot. The health of the skin comes first. I would recommend getting the annual mole check-up. And then, a good routine of body and facial skin care. Photoprotection is a step that cannot be skipped, and if one wants to use products for the face and for photoaging, one must first follow the steps I just mentioned.

This article is from an external unpaid contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

More Spanish-language content from El Planteo:

• ¿Cuáles son los Efectos de la Marihuana en el Sistema Nervioso?
• Efectos de la Marihuana: Cómo Afecta el Cuerpo y el Cerebro
• ¿Es Cierto que la Marihuana Mata Neuronas?