This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
When it comes to achieving clearer, more youthful-looking skin that glows, what you put into your body is as important, if not more important, than what you apply to your skin. You can have a cabinet of serums that all come highly recommended by skincare experts, but if you aren’t following up your skincare routine with a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats, your skin isn’t going to get as many benefits as it could.
Don’t sleep on beverages when you’re thinking about your food choices for better skin. Avoiding and limiting these five beverages to the best of your ability can help you prevent premature aging, according to dermatologists. And if you’re wondering which drinks are among the best for your skin, we snuck in those tips, as well.
5 Beverages That Can Lead to Premature Aging if Consumed in Excess
1. Soda
Even if you may already be aware that sodas are generally unhealthy and high in sugar, you might be curious to know how drinking soda can harm your skin in particular, says Dr. Natalie Carlton, a dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology.
“Advanced glycation end products, or AGEs, are created when the amino acids in the collagen and elastin that maintain the dermis are linked together by glucose and fructose (found in soda),” Dr. Carlton said.
“Glycation of amino acids makes it challenging to repair collagen and elastin fibers, which leads to aging skin. Dr. Carlton advises against beverages that are heavy in sugars or produced with high fructose corn syrup, such as sodas and other sweetened, fizzy drinks.
2. Fruit Juices
They may not have the same bad reputation as soda and fizzy drinks, but fruit juice and sports drinks are usually loaded with sugar — and it’s this sugar that can break down collagen and elastin. A better alternative if you crave something sweet is to infuse water with fruits like berries and citrus fruits.
3. Alcohol
According to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, drinking eight or more alcoholic beverages per week can dramatically change your skin and result in more define fine lines and wrinkles, an increase in blood vessels (which leads to ruddier-looking skin), and even a puffy under-eye area.
4. Energy Drinks
The skin around your eyes is delicate, and as we age, it's normal to lose moisture in this area. Rather than hydrating this skin, energy drinks can dehydrate it.
Drinking these often can cause a sunken look— and ultimately mean darker under-eyes and more fine lines, Dr. Jose Mier, Founder of Heliotherapy Research Institute and skin health expert tells us.
These beverages "force the brain to stay alert," he says, which leads to poor sleep and puffy eyes, and "thin under-eye areas are prone to hyperpigmentation and itchiness." Mier notes that caffeine often found in energy drinks inhibits the body's ability to remove fluid from tissues, and fluid builds up in tissues under the eyes— causing them to swell.
The caffeine also constricts the blood vessels in that area, he says, which increases blood flow and even more swelling. While some people may not be affected by caffeine, experts say, others are particularly sensitive to it. Like sodas, energy drinks have a diuretic (water-losing) effect, he stresses, making them a less-than-ideal drink of choice, even if you need a boost of caffeine.
Thankfully, there are healthier choices that can help you not only stay awake, but keep your complexion looking radiant.
5. Bottled Coffees
Many of us need coffee to start our day, but the worst kind you can choose for your skin is a processed, bottled type with loads of sugar.
When you make coffee yourself at home, you can choose to sweeten it with a natural, healthy sweetener like monk fruit, or add a splash of a non-fat creamer, for example. Conversely, bottled coffees or lattes often have additives that dehydrate your skin, and as we've learned, this can mean faster wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots.
These kinds of coffees are "full of toxins that can leave the skin dry and dehydrated, especially when consumed excessively," Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, board-certified physician, cosmetic dermatology surgeon, and owner of Qazi Cosmetic Clinic, says.
"The caffeine in coffee may bring the rush you want to get through your day, however, [this kind] can rob your skin of the elasticity your desire and reduce your skin's natural glow," he adds.
To avoid this, Qazi recommends giving black coffee a shot, as it will still give you a much-needed boost of energy, tastes like a stronger version of your favorite coffee beverage and remains a low-calorie option.
Healthier Alternatives
There are plenty of tasty, healthier alternatives when it comes to beverages that can boost your skin’s health and appearance.
“In a glass of warm water, squeeze the juice of one tiny, whole lemon,” advises Dr. Anna Chacon, a dermatologist and writer at MyPsorasisTeam.
“To it, add two to three spoonfulls of pure honey and stir thoroughly. When you wake up, consume it on an empty stomach. In addition to assisting with digestion, a glass of lemon water with honey provides you with clear skin that is free of pimples and acne outbreaks.”
Another great drink is green tea, which contains catechins, a flavonoid antioxidant that slows the aging process of the skin. “A cup of green tea in the morning can improve the condition of your skin, cure acne, unclog pores, etc,” Dr. Chacon said.
“The phases of skin carcinogenesis can be stopped or slowed down by green tea polyphenols.”
And if you’re wondering which juices are best for youthful-looking skin, Dr. Chacon’s top choices are juices made from cucumber and spinach, which she says naturally moisturize your skin while the high fiber content aids in toxin removal. “For radiant skin, sip on a glass of this juice every day,” Dr. Chacon said.
She added: “Both spinach and cucumber are abundant in vitamin A. This juice's regular intake aids in the treatment of skin pigmentation problems. Additionally, it aids in the elimination of dark spots, the management of acne, and the slowing of skin aging.”
