Cosmetic/health niggles

[Gwenhwyfar]

I have dandruff, dry skin (KP and also peeling sometimes), spots, dark under-eye shadows (not caused by sleep deprivation).

I control the dry skin with very thick cream, the Palmers cream for rough skin used all over has been better for me than the AHA one that's supposed to be good for KP, but my thighs are still like scales.
re these things just my genetic lot or do you think it's down to what I eat. I admit that I don't have a very good diet and often barely get 1 of my 5 a day though I am mainly vegetarian and don't eat only junk food either.

So, my fault or not?

Isn't the normal answer to say cut out dairy and/wheat? Tho KP doesn't seem to be caused by diet - as nor do any of your other issues really. Maybe try drinking a shed load of water every day and see how that goes? May help the spots, though a bit of AHA might also help there - have a look on Caroline Hirons' website, look at the cheat sheet for acne. Avene moisturiser has been great for DH's dry skin. Dandruff - do you use an anti-dandruff shampoo? Or maybe try olive oil on the scalp? Under eye shadows are pretty genetic; again Caroline Hirons has a lot about make up products to use (being of the opinion that creams etc won't make any difference.
More fruit and veg never hurts!

Thanks very much phoolani.
I wouldn't say I have acne exactly. Just that I have visible spots around the mouth at the 'time of the month' and they sometimes leave scars - annoying at nearly 40 plus my forehead feels spotty, but I can't see any spots if you see what I mean. It's certainly not problem acne.
I'm happy with the Palmers I'm using and don't find Avene strong enough. As for dandruff I do use anti-dandruff shampoo, but I was wondering if it's someone everyone has or if it's indicative of not being in perfect health.
I suppose what I want to know is if some people don't have any of these problems and think it's down to their diet. I'm not going to go to the effort with food just on the off chance (I do take a vitamin pill though).

How can you be a vegetarian but barely get one of your 5 a day?! Your diet must be truly shit. You're probably living off carbs.

Of course your diet will affect your skin - it's not 'on the off chance'.

You need to up your veg and salad (much better than fruit), cut down on your carbs (especially refined ones). Make sure you're getting plenty of fat, and drink lots of water.

It would also be worth getting outside for at least 20 minutes each day, to get some vitamin D.

BIWI, I don't agree that my diet is 'shit', but I suppose it's all comparative. I work with people who eat crisps every day, for example.
This could be a typical day:

Breakfast - weetabix and milk
Lunch - cheese sandwich, a lettuce or tomato might give half a portion, but that's all. Or I have soup, which usually has 'one portion' on the tin
Dinner - could be veg based, but will still not take me to 5 portions or might be something with bread, eggs, etc.

I don't think it's that carb-heavy.

"Of course your diet will affect your skin - it's not 'on the off chance'."

Has that really been proved though? That's what I'm asking. I read somewhere that the 5 a day only has a measurable effect in people who smoke and drink and have never noticed a change in myself during periods of better eating - only change I've noticed is skin getting drier as I get older.

The KP runs in the family so I'm sure I can't get rid of the tendency to have it, but I suppose it could be managed better.

I drink lots of decaf tea and have read plenty to suggest it's as good as drinking water. I hate plain water so drinking water all day is not something I will stick to.

I'm out for at least 30 mins a day walking to and from work.

'I don't like water' is just bizarre. Do you take the decaf tea with milk? If so it's definitely not as 'good as water'

Why is it bizarre not to like water? I would have thought I was in the majority on that. It's a very boring drink. I have a green tea in my hand at the moment because I've run out of milk, but, yes, I do normally drink decaf tea with milk. I've tried soya etc. but always go back to dairy as I like it, it's cheap and easier to find. I didn't think milk was that bad - gives me calcium doesn't it?

Well look - seeing as you're suffering with your skin, and your diet is pretty poor (it is actually - whether you agree or not - because it's all carbs, very little protein or fruit/veg) why not just try changing things for a month or so and see what difference it makes?

BIWI I eat plenty of cheese so that gives me protein
I really, really hate spending time and money on shopping and cooking so I'm only going to do it if I really think it's going to make a difference, it's definitely not a hassle or expense (eating healthily is more expensive in my case) just to see.

It's bizarre to not like it so much that you're not drinking enough, yes.

Just force yourself to drink 1.5 litres of water a day for two weeks and then assess your skin. Unless water makes you gag, it's an easy way to improve your skin and dark under eye shadows.

You may well have a propensity to these issues but diet can make a difference. Some healthy oils in your diet (salmon, avocado, olive oil) are very good for dry skin/skin tone as is eating a range of colourful veg. But you know that already. Just like I know that spending the morning on MN and eating scones will not help me lose my excess weight...and yet here I am.

Linoo ain't that the truth.
OP I do sympathise and in a way it's realistic to say, I know I won't stick to x, but when it's such an obvious easy and cheap solution it has to be worth making yourself do it.

Er, no, you're really not in the majority by not liking water to the extent that you refuse to drink it! Nonetheless that is just a taste thing and I am sure that flavoured hot water such as decaf tea can't really be bad if that's how you prefer to get your liquids.

What you are looking for here is for MN to validate your view that your skin problems are not related to your diet. I don't think you'll find that answer here.

While I don't believe in cutting out whole food groups or magic diet- related cures, I can see that a wheat and cheese- dominated diet could do with some improvement, if not for your skin then for your digestion, cardiac health etc. Do you take any multivits at least?

I used to hate water. Especially tap water. But since increasing water intake I do feel much better.

The colder the better for me - so we keep a jug of tap water in the fridge.

Also you could perhaps sneak a but more fruit/veg in to your day.

How about some fruit on top of your weetabix? ?
Kiwi or sliced apple?

But it's worth trying .

OK, I am prone to many of the things you listed. I do care very much what I look like, so here is what I do to keep on top of them.

Water - drink plenty every day (easy for me as I have always been a water drinker)
I take cod liver oil, Perfectil, kelp and iron every day
I use coconut oil all over my body after every shower or bath - it has worked miracles on my KP
I eat 5-7 Brazil nuts every day
No alcohol, no gluten
Regularly eat eggs and dark green vegetables with drizzle of olive oil
I use Bravura calendula toner, which keeps my occasional hormonal spots away entirely
Double cleanse every evening without fail, use serum and then spend time applying facial oils and moisturisers
(I also eat a lot of fish and high-quality meat, but as you are veggie this won't apply!)

It sounds labour-intensive, but it's really not once it becomes routine.

Oh and I should add that yes, I absolutely do credit diet for a large part of why I have good skin. I've eaten well and I've eaten badly and the difference in how I feel and look is stark.

Loads of people don't like water. I don't and drinking enough means making a real effort - I use an app called waterlogged to help me monitor my intake.

If you have pigmentation after acne (red marks), you may want to try rosehip oil every other night to start with.
Get some good fats into your diet like avocados or nuts.
And all the other advice above.

It's most DEFINITELY your diet, whether it's convenient or not for you to change it. When I'm not eating enough salads, veg (over half of every meal) and drinking enough water (not tea!) my skin goes bad like yours

If you don't think wheat for breakfast, lunch and dinner is carb heavy them you need to do some reading up on nutrition. Basically this is turned into sugar by the body and sugar is disastrous for the skin. I'd be looking to get alot more vegetables into your diet and lower GI fruit such as berries. Do you like homemade soup maybe, or stir frys are a good, cheap way to really up your veggies.
Re skin care. Do you use sunscreen? If you do then double cleansing is recommended. I would also try and fit an AHA. BHA and either rosehip oil or vitamin C serum into your routine to clear the spots and lighten any pigmentation. Cleanser should be mild and a low PH such as Cerave. Alot of people on mumsnet criticise Caroline Hirons but her acne cheat sheets are really good and would be worth looking at.

Also, how about getting your water intake from herbal teas if you don't enjoy plain water? Twinings do a buttermint one that's gorgeous

"It's bizarre to not like it so much that you're not drinking enough, yes."

I'm not 'not drinking enough' though am I? Everything I read about hydration says that other drinks count, not just plain water so I don't see what the problem is with de-caf tea.

Jessie, yes I take a women's multivitamin and Omegas.

Ah whatevs Gwen
It's your skin, not mine! If you don't want to make a free and simple change to improve it I wonder why you started this thread.

"If you don't think wheat for breakfast, lunch and dinner is carb heavy them you need to do some reading up on nutrition."

What I've read is that wheat isn't bad for you unless you're intolerant. I don't necessarily have it 3 times a day, (although I've just realised I have done that today.)

"how about getting your water intake from herbal teas if you don't enjoy plain water? Twinings do a buttermint one that's gorgeous"

I drink herbal teas occasionally, but don't really like them. If herbal tea is OK, why isn't decaf black tea though? I don't really understand what's so bad about de-caf tea.

I really, really struggle to get through the day at work and the thought of cups of tea is the only thing keeping me going. If I had to drink plain water instead, I'm not sure I'd see the point in living.

I'm going to check out Caroline Hirons.

No alcohol, no gluten, no (or very little) tea make me want to chuck myself out of the window to be honest :(

Thanks everyone for trying to help.