What's not healthy for the skin is a low protein and fat free diet. The skin needs protein for optimum health. The main protein that the skin needs is the one called collagen. Collagen is a strong material, almost like cement, that binds the cells of your body together. Collagen consist of elastin. Elastin is made up of white, strong, steel-like fibers and yellow elastic networks. These fibers and networks form the connective tissue that holds our bodies together. Signs of a lack of collagen in the body are loss of muscle tone, especially in the arms and legs. Collagen counts for thirty percent of the total body protein and the most valuable protein when it comes to the body, especially the skin.

What kinds of protein and how much should be added to the average daily diet depends on a person's total body weight, body fat and a person's physical activity level. People who weigh up to one hundred fifty pounds the average amount of protein needed is about 70 grams. People who weigh up to two hundred pounds the average amount of protein needed is about 90 grams. People who weigh over two hundred pounds the average amount of protein needed is about 110 grams.

Good sources of protein can be found in lean meat, poultry, egg whites, dairy products and fish. Proteins that come from animal sources are called complete proteins. These proteins are very plentiful in well developed countries. The proteins from vegetable sources are called incomplete proteins. Incomplete proteins are good substitute in countries where complete proteins are not that readily available and for vegetarians.

Incomplete proteins work best when combined with another incomplete protein to be equal with a complete protein and prevent protein malnourishment. Some examples of incomplete food combinations are: wheat and soybeans, sunflower seeds and peanuts, legumes and sesame seeds, peanuts and soybeans, wheat and rice with soybeans, peanut with sesame seeds, sesame seeds and wheat, corn with legumes, wheat with legumes, legumes with rice, sesame seeds with rice, wheat with sesame seeds, wheat with legumes and wheat with peanuts.

Supplement the incomplete proteins also with certain vitamins such as Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 50 mg per day. Take about 10 to 20 mg of iron chelate daily. Take some Vitamin B12 about 500 mcg daily (sublingual form preferred). Taking a good Vitamin B complex supplement helps Vitamin B12 to work even better. The best skin care always work from the inside out and eating the right amount of protein will help the skin to have the muscle tone it needs to help people to look their best at any age.