FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Despite a little natural vanity, we all grow up learning 'it's what's on the inside that counts'. But spiritual beauty aside, just how true is that statement, practically speaking? In the drive for beautiful, youthful skin, we readily nourish the surface with miracle-promising lotions and potions but what about conventional nourishment? Can we really cheat the ageing process from the inside out? Dermatologist-with-a-cause Dr. Nicholas Perricone thinks so.

MEET THE DOCTOR

Perricone's books have long resided on the New York Times Best Seller list and he boasts a list of devotees as long as America is wide – including the wonderful Kim Cattrall. According to the good doctor, wrinkled, sagging skin is a 'disease', largely caused by inflammation, free radical damage and Glycation. Prevention being better than cure, his secret to defying the ageing process is a healthy diet and a combination of nutriceuticals (supplements) and cosmeceuticals (cosmetics-meets-pharmaceuticals). However, getting the nutritional balance right would involve eating a staggering 21 portions of wild-caught Alaskan salmon per week (choose wild over farmed, if possible, for fewer pollutants) or 42 Omega-3-rich eggs. Alternatively, Perricone recommends taking 3,000mg of Omega 3 oil daily in supplement form.

INFLAMMATION AND FREE RADICALS

Inflammation is caused by triggering free radicals in skin cells. The process is accelerated by eating a pro-inflammatory diet (high in carbohydrates and toxins), environmental toxins such as pollution and most biological processes. They attack cells rather like the oxidation of an apple when it turns brown. To stop our skin degrading in this way, we need lots of antioxidants: Vitamins A, C and E, found in fruits and vegetables, grains, oils and polyphenols (in brightly coloured foods such as berries and green tea). Click here to download Perricone's facelift diet for daily inspiration.

- Elspeth Waters