“Everything in moderation” is the wisest of advice, and if you are looking to eat a wider variety of foods that have important nutrients for skin health, it’s an even more important tip to follow. Unless your doctor says otherwise, there’s rarely a reason to give up all of the fun, delicious foods you want to eat, but it’s smart to vary things up and keep some of those foods to a minimum.
Healthy, glowing skin needs vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and protein to look its best. These 11 foods are low in nutrients and can contain sugars and other additives that can have a negative effect on your collagen and elastin — the two components responsible for smooth, taut skin.
Candy
Sugar-laden candy can lead to degradation of collagen and reduce skin elasticity over time, which results in fine lines and wrinkles. It also can contribute to dehydration (another precursor to textured skin and wrinkles) and mess with insulin levels, which can clog pores. Sugar is also connected to inflammation in the body, and this can make skin conditions like acne and psoriasis worse.
Bacon
Like all processed meats, bacon is high in saturated fat, which contributes to inflammation. It often contains nitrates that can contribute to oxidative stress in the body, which accelerates signs of aging. Additionally, its high-sodium content contributes to dehydration and dry skin texture.
Cereal
When was the last time you checked the nutrition label of your favorite cereal? You may be shocked to find that it contains as much sugar as a doughnut or other dessert. While it’s true that some cereals are better than others, many of these processed cereals contain high amounts of sugar, which can lead to inflammation and collagen degradation.
Soda
There’s a reason why soda never actually quenches your thirst — instead, it can make you feel thirstier, but also craving more sugar. Soda is filled with sugar — and sugar degrades collagen and causes inflammation in the body, which often shows itself on your skin.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages contribute to aging skin in a few ways. They cause inflammation, are dehydrating, can impair your liver and affect hormone balance, which leads to skin issues, and causes blood vessels to dilate, which leads to redness in the skin.
Potato Chips
Salty potato chips are dehydrating, have a high glycemic index (which means they can cause inflammation of sebum imbalances that trigger acne), and are high in saturated and trans fat — yet more causes for inflammation.
Too Much Caffeine
We’re not trying to take away your morning cup of coffee, tea, or iced coffee — we promise. But it’s important to note that over consuming caffeine in any form (and that includes sports drinks) causes dehydration, dilates blood vessels, and can increase cortisol levels, which contributes to inflammation in the body.
Dairy
Some people can consume dairy morning, noon, and night and are never bothered by it, while others are sensitive to it and their skin lets them know it. For some, dairy products like milk and cheese can trigger inflammation and elevate hormone levels in the body that can stimulate oil production.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods is another category that is absolutely fine for many people, but can cause skin issues in others, For some, spice causes dehydration that leaves their skin parch and dry. It can also contribute to rosacea flare-ups to those prone to the skin condition and may aggravate acne.
Artificial Sweeteners
Just because artificial sweeteners aren’t real sugar doesn’t mean they are healthy or better for you. In fact, these sweeteners contribute indirectly to glycation, which damages collagen and elastic fibers. They can also cause inflammation and an increased insulin response.
Charred Meat
When cooked at very high temperatures (to the point where you see char marks that you probably associate with deliciousness), meats can contribute to oxidative stress and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs are linked to wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity.
