Researchers looked at 22 studies to understand how food, skin health, and mental health are connected. They found that people with chronic skin problems like acne and psoriasis often struggle with depression and anxiety. The good news? Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods appears to help both your skin and your mental health. While the evidence is promising, scientists say we need more research to fully understand how diet, skin conditions, and mood all work together.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How the foods we eat affect both skin health and mental health, especially in people with chronic skin problems like acne, psoriasis, and eczema
  • Who participated: This review analyzed 22 different research studies involving thousands of people. Most studies looked at adults with skin conditions, and many focused on acne as the main skin problem
  • Key finding: Healthy eating patterns—ones full of nutrients and whole foods—were linked to better skin health AND better mental health. People with chronic skin problems were more likely to experience depression or anxiety
  • What it means for you: Eating better foods might help improve both your skin and your mood, but this is still an emerging area of science. Talk to your doctor before making major diet changes, especially if you have a skin condition or mental health concerns

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through scientific databases to find all available studies on how diet, skin health, and mental health connect. They looked at studies published up until April 2024 across six major medical databases. The researchers carefully reviewed 1,739 different studies and selected 22 that met their specific criteria—studies that looked at all three areas: what people eat, their skin health, and their mental health.

Most of the studies they found were cross-sectional, meaning they looked at people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Only a few studies were randomized controlled trials, which is the gold standard in science where some people get a treatment and others don’t, and researchers compare the results.

The researchers organized all the information they found by looking at which skin conditions were studied most (acne was #1), which foods were examined most often (general eating patterns and food frequency), and which mental health conditions came up most (depression was most common).

This type of review is important because it brings together all the scattered research on this topic and shows us the big picture. Instead of looking at just one study, we can see patterns across many studies. This helps doctors and scientists understand what we know and what we still need to learn. It also helps identify where future research should focus.

The strength of this review is that it looked at many studies across multiple databases, making it comprehensive. However, the researchers noted that most studies were cross-sectional (like taking a snapshot) rather than following people over time. Only 3 cohort studies and 2 randomized controlled trials were included out of 22 total studies. This means while the connections are interesting, we can’t yet say for certain that diet causes these skin and mental health changes. The review also found that very few studies looked at all three factors together—most focused on just two of the three areas.

What the Results Show

The review found consistent patterns across the studies: when people ate healthier diets—ones that were nutrient-dense and followed dietary guidelines—they tended to have better skin health and better mental health outcomes. Acne was the most studied skin condition (appearing in 12 of the 22 studies), followed by psoriasis and eczema. Depression was the mental health condition most often examined (in 13 studies).

A strong connection was found between having chronic skin problems and experiencing mental health issues like depression and anxiety. This makes sense because skin conditions can be visible and embarrassing, which can affect how people feel about themselves. The research suggests that healthy eating patterns may help break this negative cycle by improving both the skin condition and the person’s mood.

The types of foods that appeared most helpful were those in healthy eating patterns—whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Foods high in sugar, processed items, and unhealthy fats appeared to be associated with worse skin and mental health outcomes in several studies.

However, the researchers emphasized that while these connections are interesting and consistent, the evidence is still not as strong as we’d like it to be. Most studies were observational, meaning they just watched what people ate and what happened to their skin and mood, rather than testing whether changing diet actually caused the improvements.

The review identified that the connection between skin health and mental health is bidirectional—meaning it goes both ways. Having a skin condition can make people feel worse mentally, and feeling stressed or depressed can sometimes make skin conditions worse. This suggests that treating one area might help the other. The researchers also noted that food consumption patterns and frequency (how often people eat certain foods) were the most commonly studied dietary factors, rather than specific nutrients or supplements.

This review builds on growing evidence that diet affects both skin health and mental health separately. Previous research has shown connections between diet and acne, diet and depression, and diet and other skin conditions. What’s newer here is the attempt to understand how all three—diet, skin health, and mental health—work together as an interconnected system. The review suggests that diet may be the starting point that influences skin health, which then affects mental health.

The biggest limitation is that most studies were cross-sectional snapshots rather than long-term follow-ups. This means we can see that healthy eating and better skin/mental health go together, but we can’t prove that eating better causes the improvements. Another major gap is that very few studies looked at all three factors together—most only examined two of the three areas. The review also notes that acne was studied much more than other skin conditions, so we know less about how diet affects psoriasis or eczema. Finally, the studies included different populations and measured things differently, making it hard to combine all the results into one clear answer.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence (moderate confidence): Eat a diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. This eating pattern may help improve both skin health and mental health. However, this should be one part of a comprehensive approach that includes medical treatment for skin conditions and mental health support when needed. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before making major diet changes, especially if you have a diagnosed skin condition or mental health condition.

This research is most relevant for people with chronic skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, or eczema who also experience mood problems. It’s also important for anyone interested in how their diet affects their overall health. However, this research should not replace medical treatment for skin conditions or mental health disorders. If you have depression, anxiety, or a serious skin condition, work with healthcare professionals rather than relying only on diet changes.

If you make dietary changes, you might notice improvements in energy and mood within a few weeks. Skin improvements typically take longer—usually 4-12 weeks to see noticeable changes in acne or other skin conditions. Mental health improvements may also take several weeks. Remember that diet is just one factor; genetics, stress, sleep, and medical treatment all play important roles too.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake and rate skin appearance and mood on a 1-10 scale. Look for patterns over 4-8 weeks to see if healthier eating days correlate with better skin and mood days
  • Set a goal to add one nutrient-dense food group daily (like adding vegetables to lunch, or swapping sugary snacks for nuts and fruit) while tracking how your skin and mood respond
  • Weekly check-ins: photograph skin condition, record mood scores, and review eating patterns. Monthly reviews to identify which foods seem most helpful for your individual skin and mental health

This review summarizes current research but does not constitute medical advice. Chronic skin conditions and mental health disorders require professional medical evaluation and treatment. Do not stop or change prescribed medications or treatments based on this information. If you have a skin condition or mental health concern, consult with a dermatologist, mental health professional, or your primary care doctor before making significant dietary changes. While diet may be a helpful complementary factor, it should not replace evidence-based medical treatment.