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Dr. Perricone FAQ

How does diet affect my skin?

Though low-carb diets have been all the rage among weight loss gurus of late, Dr. Perricone has been touting the skin-related merits of carb curbing for years. "Consuming foods that are high on the glycemic index - i.e. foods that rapidly convert to sugar in your blood stream, such as bread, rice, or cereal - can have adverse effects on your skin," he says. "Inflammation, enlarged pores, discoloration, hampered cell functioning, and ultimately, aged-looking skin, are some of the results." Not that he advocates excising these foods from your diet for all eternity: Moderation, along with the following tips, should mitigate the above-described damage. If you're going to eat one of the foods in question, try to get some protein (meat or eggs, for example) in your system first, or add a fat source at the same time (peanut butter on toast, cream cheese on a bagel … you get the idea). Either strategy should slow the sugar conversion process, he explains.

Dr. Perricone also believes that certain foods are particularly good for your skin, and that they should be incorporated into your diet as often as possible (though you certainly shouldn't worry about packing them all in at every meal, or even on a daily basis). He says that dark berries, fish, olive oil, nuts, dark leafy greens - basically anything rich in antioxidants - can have anti-inflammatory effects on your skin (anti-inflammatory, in layman's terms, means puffiness - and redness-reducing). Equally beneficial, he says, are rich sources of essential fatty acids (nuts, fish, avocado, and olive oil, among others), which can enhance your skin's ability to retain moisture and stay supple.

Do I really need an eye cream? Why can't I just use my face lotion on the area around my eyes?

"While some women can use their regular facial lotion around their eyes, most find it's not gentle enough for that area," says Dr. Perricone. So just how sensitive is the skin there? The doctor's favorite response is a series of similes: "The skin on your body is like cardboard, the skin on your face is like fine stationery, and the skin under your eyes is like tissue paper." Hence the abundance of eye-specific (read: extremely gentle) products on the market. "Generally, they have a more neutral pH than facial products, fewer potential irritants and in some cases, more concentrated moisturizing agents," he explains. But if you really want your facial lotion to double as an eye cream (and who hasn't tried to pare down?), Dr. Perricone suggests you do a small patch test first, then gradually build up to regular use. However, in this case (as opposed to the sensitive skin scenario described in the first question), you're testing not only for irritation, but for positive results as well: a moisture surge, depuffing effects, or anything else you'd get from certain eye-specific formulations. And if you don't see such benefits, says Dr. Perricone, this particular brand of multi-tasking probably isn't worthwhile. To give this area the special care it deserves, try: N.V. Perricone Vitamin C Ester Eye Area Therapy, $45, and N.V. Perricone Alpha Lipoic Acid Eye Area Therapy, $45.

I'm in my thirties and am suddenly breaking out. What's going on?

Any of the main causes of acne - bacteria trapped in hair follicles, abnormal cell keratinization (basically, an implosion of cellular matter that results in a clogged pore), excess sebum production, and hormonal changes - could be to blame, but the last one is the likely culprit in your case, says Dr. Perricone. "At times in your life when your hormone levels change - the thirties being a common example - you often see changes in your skin." And if the standard acne cleansers and treatments aren't working for you, he recommends that you see a nutritionist. "You can effectively address hormonal issues with diet, though the specific regimen would be different for everyone." The new N.V. Perricone acne line, Out Patient Therapy for problem skin - acne or excessive oiliness - includes products to gently cleanse, exfoliate, and treat acne-prone skin. Try N.V. Perricone Pore Refining Cleanser, $30, N.V. Perricone Pore Refining Toner Pads, $35, and N.V Perricone Pore Refining Acne Treatment Gel Cream, $55.

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