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Skin Health Starts from Within: Effect of Diet on Skin Health

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A Special Issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643) belonging to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2026) | Viewed by 11978

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Dr. Ilaria Proietti

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Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
Interests: dermatology; eczema; lifestyle; diet
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between diet and skin health is an emerging area of research that has gained significant scientific interest. Nutritional intake plays a fundamental role in maintaining skin integrity, preventing premature aging, and modulating conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds can enhance skin hydration, elasticity, and barrier function, while poor dietary choices may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and dermal deterioration. This Special Issue aims to explore the intricate links between nutrition and dermatology, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms, clinical applications, and dietary interventions that promote skin health. We welcome original research, reviews, and clinical studies that align with the journal’s scope, particularly those addressing the impact of dietary patterns, micronutrients, and nutraceuticals on dermatological outcomes.

Dr. Ilaria Proietti
Guest Editor

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Keywords

diet and skin health
nutrients and dermatology
skin aging and nutrition
antioxidants and skin function
microbiome and skin health
omega-3 fatty acids and skin
polyphenols and dermatological benefits
hydration and skin barrier
glycation and skin aging
inflammatory skin conditions and diet

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1636 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Inulin-Type Fructans on Body Composition, Carbohydrate Metabolism and Energy Expenditure in Patients with Psoriasis: Results of INGUTSKIN Randomized Controlled Trial

by Karolina Bieglecka, Paulina Katarzyna Kęszycka, Joanna Czerwińska, Krzysztof Pastuszak, Ewa Lange, Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek and Urszula Krupa-Kozak

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1843; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121843 - 8 Jun 2026

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Abstract

Introduction: Patients with psoriasis, a non-contagious, chronic, systemic inflammatory skin disease, often suffer from carbohydrate metabolism disorders, which can exacerbate systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effects of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans (ITFs) on body composition, energy expenditure, and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with mild psoriasis (PS), using a healthy control (n = 32) group as a baseline reference. PS participants (n = 56) were randomized to receive 15 g/day of ITFs (n = 29) or a placebo (n = 27) for 8 weeks. Body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), carbohydrate metabolism (fasting glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)) and resting energy expenditure (resting metabolic rate (RMR), oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂)) via indirect calorimetry were determined. Results: At baseline, patients with PS had significantly (p < 0.01) higher body mass index and visceral fat levels, and abnormal levels of selected parameters of carbohydrate metabolism, compared with healthy controls. Following the intervention, the ITFs group maintained stable fasting glucose levels, while the placebo group showed an undesirable increase (Δ_glucose = +5.7 mg/dL; p < 0.01). The energy expenditure analysis revealed a significant treatment effect on RMR and VO₂ parameters (p < 0.01), with a decrease in the placebo group (p < 0.01) while remaining stable in the prebiotic group. There was no significant effect of the intervention on body composition and anthropometric parameters. Conclusions: Patients with PS exhibit a higher metabolic risk than healthy controls. Although no significant changes were observed within the intervention groups, the deterioration of metabolic indices in the placebo group may indicate an unfavorable effect of the maltodextrin. Consequently, the stabilization of parameters in the prebiotic group should be interpreted with great caution. This RCT was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05971992). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Health Starts from Within: Effect of Diet on Skin Health)

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17 pages, 827 KB

Open AccessArticle

Almond Supplementation Improves Acne Lesions and Skin Microbial Diversity in Adults with Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

by Panchali Moitra, Jagmeet Madan, Krisha Shah, Pradnya Mandavkar, Rajiv Joshi, Soumik Kalita and Shobha A. Udipi

Nutrients 2026, 18(4), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040625 - 13 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 8356

Abstract

Objectives: This randomized, controlled, parallel-group study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of daily almond consumption on acne lesion counts, skin hydration, sebum production, and skin microflora composition in 18–35-year-old young adults with acne vulgaris in Mumbai, India. Methods: A defined amount of whole, unsalted almonds with skin (60 g) was provided to the experimental group (n = 36). The control group (n = 38) received isocaloric cereal-pulse-based snack varieties. The primary endpoints were changes in inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts after 20 weeks of supplementation. Secondary endpoints included changes in facial sebum, hydration levels, skin morphology and microflora, and selected biochemical parameters. Results: At week 20, the almond group showed greater reductions in total lesion counts (−22.2% vs. −9.8%), inflammatory lesion counts (−8.3% vs. +12%), and non-inflammatory lesion counts (−26.1% vs. −20.4%) than controls. Objective lesion volume, area, and height measures for both single and clustered acne decreased in the almond group (p ≤ 0.001). Microbial diversity increased, with the Shannon index (2.6 to 3.4 (p = 0.039) and the Chao1 richness index (266.9 → 835.2; p < 0.001) showing improvements at endline. Moreover, significant post-intervention changes in the psychosocial outcomes, such as the acne-related quality of life scores (p < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.016), were observed in the almond group. Conclusions: Daily almond consumption reduced acne lesion count and improved skin microbial diversity and acne-specific quality of life, highlighting its potential to complement standard acne treatments and support skin health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Health Starts from Within: Effect of Diet on Skin Health)

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Review

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28 pages, 1678 KB

Open AccessReview

The Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols in Modulating Barrier Lipids, Microbiome Interactions, and Inflammatory Pathways in Atopic Dermatitis

by Karolina Blady, Bartosz Pomianowski, Leon Smółka, Miłosz Strugała, Karolina Kursa and Agata Stanek

Nutrients 2026, 18(9), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091365 - 25 Apr 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1271

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex pathogenesis involving epidermal barrier dysfunction, microbiome dysbiosis, and immune dysregulation. Despite significant advances in therapy, including biologics and targeted treatments, their use may be limited by adverse effects, highlighting the need for safe adjunctive strategies. Polyphenols are naturally occurring bioactive compounds that are abundant in plant-based foods and are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, making them promising candidates for supportive AD management. This review integrates current evidence on the effects of polyphenols on epidermal barrier lipids, microbiome interactions, and key inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling. Additionally, the role of polyphenols in modulating dendritic cell and neutrophil activity, and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, as well as their potential involvement in mitophagy regulation, is discussed. Polyphenols support epidermal barrier integrity by modulating the expression of key structural proteins, including filaggrin, involucrin, and loricrin, leading to a reduction in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Furthermore, they interact bidirectionally with the gut microbiome, acting as metabolic substrates for beneficial bacteria and promoting the growth of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing species such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia, while simultaneously inhibiting pathogenic strains. These findings highlight the role of polyphenols in maintaining microbiome homeostasis and supporting epidermal barrier integrity. The review encompasses findings from clinical studies, animal models, and mechanistic investigations, while also addressing limitations related to polyphenol bioavailability. Overall, polyphenols may represent a valuable adjunctive approach in AD management; however, further well-designed clinical and mechanistic studies are required to confirm their therapeutic potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Health Starts from Within: Effect of Diet on Skin Health)

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