Arlise Mott didn’t turn to the Mediterranean diet for weight loss. She was searching for something deeper — a way to calm her adult acne and unpredictable mood swings. Having struggled for years with skin breakouts and low energy, she’d tried everything from elimination diets to expensive serums. Nothing stuck. Until she gave the Mediterranean way of eating a try.
The transformation was gradual but undeniable. After just a few weeks of favoring olive oil, fish, leafy greens, and whole grains, Arlise noticed her skin texture begin to change. Her complexion, once inflamed and uneven, took on a calmer, more radiant tone. But it wasn’t just skin-deep.
“I felt lighter, mentally,” she explains. “I wasn’t crashing in the afternoon. My anxiety eased up. It felt like my body and brain were finally in sync.”
Science backs her up. The Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, which help balance hormones and reduce inflammation — two critical components for both skin health and emotional well-being. Omega-3s, in particular, found in fatty fish and nuts, are well known for their mood-regulating properties.
For Arlise, it wasn’t a strict diet but a shift in approach. “It’s about adding more good things in, not cutting everything out. I eat better now because I enjoy it, not because I have to.”
Now a skin coach and wellness writer, Arlise encourages others to ditch harsh fixes in favor of food that heals from the inside out. “You’d be amazed what a plate of grilled veggies, salmon, and quinoa can do,” she laughs.
