Many people lose weight to boost their overall health. They want to avoid chronic illnesses related to excess weight, such as diabetes or strokes. Yet did you know that another benefit of losing weight is getting better skin? When you start shedding pounds, your skin may appear clearer thanks to the cleaner and healthier diet you’ve adopted for weight loss. Any regular exercises you do to burn calories also increase blood circulation, so sufficient nutrients get delivered to your skin.

Want to maximise these effects? To reap the benefits of healthy weight loss for better skin, here are some practices to follow:

Track what you eat

Eating more unprocessed foods is essential, as they don’t have excess sugar, salt, and fat that can hinder weight loss. However, it can be challenging to stay accountable in the long term. This is why an effective weight loss plan involves tracking what you eat. It is the biggest predictor of weight loss, helping you go from eating on autopilot to eating with more awareness. With a journal or mobile app, you can become more mindful of your portion sizes and how healthy you’re eating.

This best practice is also one you should follow if you want to get better skin out of losing weight. Unprocessed foods provide your skin with a rich supply of antioxidants that aids in protecting and repairing it from pollutants that can cause damage. Finally, avoiding processed foods—particularly those with lots of sugar—prevents your skin from breaking out due to blood sugar spikes.

Drink enough water

When you're tired, your body will seek comfort foods—like crisps or sweets—reversing your weight loss progress. Hydration can help by preventing you from feeling sluggish in the first place. Unfortunately, almost half of Brits admit to only drinking one glass of water a day. Drinking enough water is vital for biochemical reactions associated with weight loss, including fat breakdown. These effects carry over to your skin by preventing it from drying and developing premature fine lines and wrinkles. Hydration also improves elasticity, so your skin looks bouncy and healthy.

To reap these benefits, always drink when you’re thirsty. The ‘eight glasses of water a day’ rule isn’t based on scientific evidence, and different bodies need varied water levels. That said, a good rule of thumb is always listening to your body when it needs water.

Exercise regularly

Exercise is a non-negotiable for weight loss since it burns excess calories that would’ve turned into fat. However, you must do this regularly so your body avoids fat buildup. Exercising for at least 150 minutes weekly is a great starting point to get your blood pumping. This leads to healthier skin that gets sufficient oxygen and nutrients. It also improves the production of collagen, a vital protein for keeping your skin hydrated and elastic.

If you’re new to working out, try low-impact exercises first, as these don’t put too much stress on your joints and muscles, especially if you find it difficult to move because of your body weight. Rebounding—jumping up and down and exercising on a small trampoline—is a safe option that you can consider. It rids toxins and excess hormones from your body and increases blood flow for your skin’s benefit.

Eat more protein

Protein is necessary to support muscle growth, particularly if you’re working out for weight loss and better skin. By building more muscle, you can do more intense exercises and burn more calories. Increasing your protein intake also reduces your level of the hunger hormone ghrelin. It’ll make you feel full for longer, so you prevent frequent snacking.

Your skin will benefit from a protein-rich diet because it is critical for maintaining collagen and elastin, another essential protein that keeps the skin from sagging. With that said, consider incorporating more protein-rich foods like eggs, lean meats, and fish into your diet. Plant-based protein sources you can try include tofu, nuts, and soy milk.


Healthy weight loss is advantageous for your overall well-being—but it can especially benefit your skin. Follow these tips to ensure that you lose weight and improve your skin in a healthy manner.