As an esthetician, my skin seldom gives me problems. Instead, it gets me compliments. So, why would I want to try a skin diet? Well, when you’re faced with a plan that promises a clearer complexion, you follow it.
Dr. Perricone’s 3-Day Diet has generated plenty of buzz since its debut over a decade ago – and is still going strong after all these years. Dr. Perricone not only has an A-list client roster, but he’s also published several books – jokingly called Beauty 201 textbooks – that have earned spots on the New York Times bestsellers list. It’s in one of his books, The Clear Skin Prescription, that Dr. Perricone first introduces his “three-day challenge,” now known as the 3-Day Diet. The premise is simple: Follow a specific, short-term diet to achieve a glowing complexion.
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But how can a diet lead to beautiful skin in less than a week? It’s possible, according to Dr. Perricone. His diet promises you’ll “experience dramatic changes in how you both look and feel” by taking charge of it in just three days. This diet has even been dubbed “the facelift diet” because it helps to de-puff the face, helping users look more defined and uplifted.
Curious about what’s on the skin diet menu? Here’s the suggested shopping list, courtesy of Dr. Perricone’s blog.
Dr. Perricone’s 3-Day Diet Menu
- High-quality protein (like that found in fish, shellfish, poultry and tofu)
- Low-glycemic carbohydrates, including colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as old-fashioned oatmeal, and legumes like beans and lentils
- Healthy fats, such as those found in cold water fish (specifically wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, sardines, herring, and anchovies), nuts, seeds and olive oil
- 8-10 glasses of pure spring water per day
- Antioxidant-rich beverages such as green tea
My Experience with Dr. Perricone’s 3-Day Diet
It seems unlikely that a diet that’s been around for so long is still relevant. But it is! Trust me – I tried it out and have the results to prove it.
Because I love all the foods Dr. Perricone recommends, I ate the same exact meal each of the three days. I had grilled salmon, boiled eggs (no salt), fresh spinach, olive oil, blueberries, and water. The only thing I added was Tropical Hibiscus Beauty Collagen because I need hyaluronic acid during these cold Chicago days. I didn’t measure anything out since I wanted to keep the plan as simple as possible.
I ate these foods twice a day, using the blueberries as snacks in between meals. Dr. Perricone says “Eating salmon twice a day allows for the benefits of the DMAE, astaxanthin and essential fatty acids in the salmon to take effect.”
My Before & After Photos
As you can see, my skin was lackluster on the first day (left). It felt dry, especially around the lips and underneath the eyes. My forehead has a few small lines of tiny, flesh-colored bumps. I felt ready to try anything to get my skin back normal.
By the third day, my skin was glowing and no longer felt tight after washing. I also went back to wearing foundation-free makeup looks. But I felt more excited about how my body felt in that moment. Beautiful skin aside, the 3-Day Diet was the perfect way to jumpstart my health journey. I felt lighter and more energized.
Last night, I finished a work project around midnight and hopped on the treadmill afterwards, around 1 A.M. Even with my very late-night cardio session, I got up the next morning at my normal 5:30 A.M. wakeup time. This diet is the real deal. I’ll keep it in my beauty arsenal for the next time I need to ‘reset’ after a week of bad habits, or when I want to look amazing for a big event. Will you join me?