What the Best Skin Docs Eat, Pop,and Do!

Dr Madhuri Aggarwal, Consultant Dermatologist, The Skin Clinic, Mumbai

The Food

“I start my day with an apple and green tea to deep cleanse my body and prep for the gym. Breakfast is carb-heavy, like idlis, or toasts with butter, which I burn during the day. My mid-morning snack includes a handful of almonds, raisins or an orange. Lunch is whole-wheat roti with veggies, plus dal and sprouts to add protein to my vegetarian diet. Instead of another snack, dinner is at six in the evening, usually a whole wheat sandwich or parantha. I also drink 12 to 15 glasses of water through the day.”

The Supplements

“I take supplements for three months (including calcium, omega 3-6-9, and B-complex) and then take a break for three, to ensure that there is no build-up in my body.”

The Products

“I live in Mumbai, and use a water-resistant sunscreen, as there is the tendency to sweat more. And for my hair, I stick to sulphate-free shampoos to keep it soft.”

Dr Jaishree Sharad, Founder, Skinfiniti Skin and Laser Clinic, Mumbai

The Food

“I am lucky that I don’t like sweets or cheese, so I have a healthy diet. After a fruit in the morning to detox, I eat an Indian breakfast of poha or upma. My mid-morning snack is mixed nuts, followed by lunch that includes a jowar roti (I am gluten-intolerant), with cooked veggies, salad and yoghurt. If I am hungry in the evening, I eat more nuts, or an orange. Dinner is usually a simple stir-fry or soup.”

The Supplements

“I take one Perfectil tablet everyday, as it has all the essential vitamins.”

The Products

“My skin is so sensitive that it reacts even to sunscreen. So, to protect myself from the sun, I use hats and umbrellas. The products that I use are also dermatological and very emollient to soothe and keep my sensitivities in check.”

Dr Rashmi Shetty, Dermatologist, RA Skin and Aesthetics, Mumbai

The Food

“I am a brown rice eater—it’s the complete food with all the essential nutrients, plus it doesn’t make you bloat. The trick is to drain the excess water out of the rice to get rid of the starch. Breakfast is toast with an egg white, and lunch and dinner are fish, chicken and veggies with brown rice. I also eat freshly-cooked food, never any leftovers. Snacks include butter milk, coconut water, or fruit.”

The Supplements

“I take Oxydon-Plus for my skin and Keraglow-Eva for my hair, with evening primrose oil, calcium, triple omega and Vitamin E.”

The Products

“My two rules for skin are—always wear sunscreen, and wash your face before bed. These days, I am also using a collagen powder on my face, which is a new discovery.”

Dr Swati Shrivastava, Dermocosmetologist, Sketch Clinic, Mumbai

The Food

“Since I’m vegetarian, I am big on dairy for protein. I start my day with a glass of milk, avoiding any coffee or tea during the day. Breakfast is Indian vegetarian, while lunch and dinner are roti, dal, and veggies with yoghurt for more protein. I like to snack on fruits, especially mango, which I love, and I wrap up my day with another glass of milk before bed.”

The Supplements

“Omega 3 and Vitamin C are my staple supplements. I take Ener-C, which is a tablet that can be dropped into water to make a fizzy drink. I take calcium, but always with a month’s break in between.”

The Products

“It’s all about good moisturisers that I pat on damp skin to make the most of. My night cream contains hyaluronic acid to hold in more moisture.”

Dr Vandana Chatrath, Dermatologist, Kubba Clinic, New Delhi

The Food

“I start my day with a spoon of flax seeds and warm water to cleanse. Breakfast is cereal or muesli with a cup of coffee. Lunch is a sandwich, and dinner, roti, dal and veggies. I drink a litre and a half of water with cucumber
slices to get rid of the bloat, and snack on fruit, almonds and walnuts.”

The Supplements

“Other than Omega 3 and a multivitamin, I am big on Vitamin D, which many people don’t realise is not just essential for bones, but also very important for skin and hair.”

The Products

“I use a Vitamin C serum to protect my skin from free radicals, and top it up with a matte-effect sunscreen to keep my face looking oil-free. At night, I use a one-percent retinol cream, which stimulates collagen and also lightly exfoliates my skin. However, I am still searching for an eye cream that works.”