Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days

by Jessica Wu

Tired of wasting hundreds of dollars on expensive wrinkle creams, drying lotions, and zit-zappers that just don’t work? Well listen up, ladies. To really get gorgeous, you’ve got to change the way you feed your face. 
Cosmetics companies, women’s magazines—heck, even most doctors—will swear that food doesn’t affect the skin. But celebrity dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu knows that’s just not true. After years spent battling her own pimple-prone, “problem” skin (not to mention caring for some of Hollywood’s most famous faces), she’s learned that what you eat has everything to do with the condition of your complexion.
Packed with patient testimonials, un-retouched before and after photos, and celebrity anecdotes from stars like Katherine Heigl, Maria Bello, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Lisa Ling, FEED YOUR FACE is an easy-to-follow, 28-day diet plan that will help you banish blemishes, wipe out wrinkles, shed unwanted pounds, and generally feel better—in your clothes and in your skin. Along the way, Dr. Wu will dish the dirt on her journey from Harvard Medical School to the glamorous Hollywood Hills, while offering realistic, practical beauty and diet advice for women of all ages. Want to soften your crow’s-feet? Find out which foods will turn back time. Plagued by pimples? Discover the snacks that will erase stubborn blemishes. Did you know milk doesn’t always do a body good? Feel a sunburn coming on? Learn why red wine may save your skin from peeling and flaking. What does a hard-partying rock star eat for good skin? So stop thinking about food in terms of what you can’t no butter, no red meat, no fat, and no flavor. Instead, discover the foods that will keep you feeling full and looking gorgeous. Follow the FEED YOUR FACE Diet, and you can have pizza. You can go out for Italian, indulge in Chinese takeout, and dine at The Cheesecake Factory (with the help of the FEED YOUR FACE Restaurant Guide). Because you do have the power to change your skin. All you have to do is eat.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Food, Self Help

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 2011

Reviews

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I found the nutritional advice really helpful, but I am not that comfortable with the recommendations for botox, etc. The author does administer botox for herself and others, so I kept that in mind.

I do believer that everyone has a right to do with what they want with their body, within reason, but it just made me feel uncomfortable. I don't know why. lol

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica Wu is a dermatologist practicing in LA, so she gets to see a lot of famous clients, who experience the same kinds of skin woes as everyone else (some of their stories are included here). Although there aren’t a lot of clinical studies or trials (i.e. research) to support Dr. Wu’s findings, she has found in her own practice that diet can really affect the appearance and health of the skin. In Feed Your Face she shares these nutrition basics so that others can benefit from her experience and have glowing, healthy, radiant skin. If you have been troubled by acne, roseacea, psoriasis, dandruff, dry or oily skin, sunburns, wrinkles, etc. you’ll want to take a look at this. The “diet” is similar to many healthy eating books – stay away from refined sugars, eat natural foods, eat fruits and vegetables – but you’ll also learn some things you might not have known (tomato paste can help mitigate sunburns, for instance). Dr. Wu also explains why certain foods might irritate your skin or be unhealthy in language anyone can easily understand. Follow the diet at the end of the book, or jot down some notes as you read so you can restock your pantry and refrigerator on the next trip to the grocery store.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many other reviewers have said, the food advice is nothing new. However, the information relating the healthy diet to skin,hair and nail care was new to me and actually made me want to fall into a better lifestyle trend. There is certainly a lot of information to sort through and you may be tempted to skip to the diet itself (purposely at the end), but the knowledge is super interesting once you get over the repetitive nature of Wu's arguments for changing your eating habits. I especially loved reading the comments and food diaries from current patients, as well as acquiring new recipes for meals AND natural remedies. I admit I skipped the section about cosmetic treatments (botox, fillers, etc.) because I am definitely not interested in any of that, but some might find it insightful, especially the warnings about certain products and what to look for in a dermatologist.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This doctor is very honest and you can tell she has integrity and is careful and knowledgeable in her practice. This book was a combination of nutrition and beauty advice.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how Dr. Wu explained the science behind skin care. I have such a better understanding of the relationship between nutrition and skin. It was a little repetitive at times and I think the information could have been presented in a more organized way (the chapters, sub-headers, bulleted paragraphs, etc. were a little overwhelming). I look forward to trying the meal plan, or at least giving it my best shot. She's a really likable person and I trust her expertise because she explained everything so clearly.

[Kgm8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there is some great, scientific advice in this; however, some of the food she puts in her diet plan contradicts the advice she gives in earlier chapters about which foods to avoid. Also, the variety of foods in the menu plan would cost an arm and a leg to purchase as there is very little repeating of ingredients or encouragement to use leftovers. Seems like a lot would go to waste if you followed it exactly.

[David Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Wu takes a unique approach to skin care and debunks a number of myths about how to achieve healthy skin. In this great book, Dr. Wu provides practical advice that yields effective results.

If you are serious about taking steps to improve your skin this book is a great choice. I highly recommend it.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative on how sugar accelerates aging and how timing your meals can make an impact on your diet's success. Dr. Wu explains everything clearly as if you were her sorority sister you can count on. Cisgender and heteronormative language aside, there is a lot of useful information here for improving your health for both men and women!

[Brook Sibrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Loved the meal suggestions, science and humor!! Esp loved the celebrity case studies\ examples
Book worth keeping on your shelf.

[Claire Boughen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read which made me think about how I eat affects my skin. The diet itself looks quite strict but I am thinking more about my diet

[Ulrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for beginners.

I love the very simple meal by meal full month of suggestions that helpfully repeat ingredients often thus saving time and money in the grocery store. She doesn't have you buy something, use a tiny portion and then not use it again before it gets gross.

The diet itself is nothing groundbreaking and it seems like she hadn't yet heard of the dangers of over-doing the antioxidant thing. Human bodies actually need a certain amount of oxidative stress and there is some evidence that not having enough free radicals actually impairs longevity. This area of research is in it's infancy, as is the entire field of nutrition really, so that's not too surprising.

She also talks a LOT about procedures and it sounds like an ad for her services. It really seems better suited to a separate booklet rather than as part of a cute diet book.

She writes in a very "fluffy" style, her word choice and tone is appropriate for a magazine article. Perhaps not surprising since I learned of this book from a random skimming of a copy of SHAPE magazine.

Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to someone who seemed to be in her target audience. This is not one of those books that I think EVERYONE needs to read. But it is pretty solid for what it claims to be.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a few years since I read this book. Yet I remember that it was the first book that I read which introduced the idea of what you eat showing in your skin and reflected in your health.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting and full of smart, down-to-earth ideas and advice. It seems like common sense that what you eat directly affects your skin. I eat a relatively healthy diet but was surprised to find out that even healthy foods, including some fruits and veggies, may have a negative effect on my skin.

As an added bonus, she is a dermatologist to the stars and this book includes the food diary of some minor celebs. Nikki Sixx, of Motley Crue fame, apparently has wonderful wrinkle free skin at age 52. Shouldn't he look like Keith Richards at this point? How is that possible after years and years of hard living while I am wrinkling like a prune at age 39 with no rock star lifestyle? Another lesson in life not being fair.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great getting a dermatologist's viewpoint of what to eat and what to avoid when it comes to health food. This book had a lot of great information, all written in laymen's terms, on how our skin functions and how wrinkles/acne/rashes occur. The diet itself is pretty simple and is probably most closely aligned with a paleo-esque diet. You certainly would loose weight if you followed her diet precisely. However, keeping up the strict regimen of very little sugar, diary, salt, and refined food would be very difficult! I wish there were more recipes and menu ideas. I didn't like how she ended the book with a chapter on Botox/plastic surgery - I felt as though this undermined the overall theme of a natural course to beauty.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

As Jessica Wu is a dermatologist, I was hoping for more definitive product suggestions for dark spots, etc. Basically, Wu's "diet" is to eat a well-balance diet focusing on real foods -- vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein. Like every doctor, she's keen on avoiding processed food, refined sugar, and simple carbohydrates. There's nothing new here, but it was interesting to learn that eating certain foods can provide a small measure of protection against the sun.

If you are well-read regarding whole health and wellness approaches to living, you probably already know a good deal of this.

I did enjoy reading Nikki Sixx's food diary. The dude loves his coffee and Coke (soda).

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Wu believes that what we eat has a big impact on our skin quality. She argues that our skin's biggest enemy is not greasy, fatty foods but rather sugar. She gives advice on various skin conditions and suggests which foods to eliminate. For example, dairy products can make acne worse and gluten can trigger eczema. I was surprised to learn that tomatoes--one of my favorite foods--can protect against UV damage. Dr. Wu provides a 28-day food plan to help you get started. However, I'm a picky eater so I doubt I would follow all the suggestions.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feed Your Face is true as I eat right and I don't have wrinkles. I turn 50 in 2015 and I look like I'm in my thirties. An Asian women commented that I must have clear skin because I drink water and eat right. Feed Your Face is a good introduction to this food/face connection. It's interesting that I cut out most dairy two years before I read this book. Anecdotal evidence or a clear connection: you decide.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with the intention of gaining insight for my daughter's acne. Dr. Wu really delivers an easy to read book with lots of examples and practical tips to help your skin look better by eating the right foods. She also talks about treatments for wrinkles, acne and other skin problems. It was very balanced and informative. Some of the information I knew, but there was many things that were very new to me. It was worth the read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very readable, helpful and even humorous at times. Some very good tips. Put tomato paste (or some form of smashed tomatoes) into everything, it works like an internal sunblock and almonds do something to prevent gray hair. I'd like to own a copy so I could refer to it. As you can see my memory of the exact details is a bit hazy.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the title over promises, this is an excellent book containing much useful information. "Younger" skin takes longer than 28 days whether you are using topicals or food, especially if you are older with slower skin turnover. However, unlike many books by dermatolgists, Dr. Wu spends only one chapter on fillers, lasers, and such procedures.

[Tsl5032 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Although, it makes logical sense how food is related to skin care. Jessica Wu gives good tips on which foods are best for your skin and these foods are also affordable which makes them awesome. I like how she was not trying to promote or sell a product. I have not tried the three week food diet challenge, but I will eventually. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Roseanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lot of information, and can be rather overwhelming. I will need to read over the relevant parts again. So far the biggest change I will make is adding more cooked tomatoes to my diet, which I'm happy to do.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just skimmed it. I just didn't care that much - thought I would, but decided not to waste my time. A lot of it was stuff I knew, and a lot of it was stuff I won't remember once I read it. So looks like I won't have the younger, smoother skin or that beautiful body in 28 days. :(

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was more to this book than I thought there would be--very specific things to eat/not eat for different skin concerns. I was ready to start the diet...then I went on vacation. I might need to read it again to get the motivation back.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read. Not a lot of new information regarding eating healthy for your skin. Just more natural foods like green veggies, fruits, lean meat, etc. She pushed for no dairy & more soy but soy products are a little controversial as well. But she's just one resource.

[Yara Zeitoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally I'm a really health eater - definitely healthier than many examples in the book - but this book is good to help me know what foods are good for what -- not just skincare, but also nails, hair, etc. A quick, easy, and light read to help you understand how food and the body can work well.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information and easy to read. She seems like someone you would like to meet or have as your doctor.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dishy fun with all of Wu's talk of celebrities, with some really helpful tips throughout.

[Shellyc · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book in this genre, it was surprisingly a very easy read. There was no boring medical talk and she explained everything with details and examples.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly contradictory advice, but has some good tips nonetheless.