Even though genetics is important when it comes to the quality and condition of your skin, especially as we age, there’s no denying the importance of a healthy diet. Certain foods are actually linked to beautiful skin — the same foods you probably can imagine, like fresh vegetables and fruits. And the more of these good-for-you foods you include in your diet, the more you’re setting yourself up for success. But knowing which foods to avoid or keep in moderation is also a key component if your goal is to have younger-looking, vibrant skin that shows minimal signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines.
So while there is no substitute for wearing sunscreen daily and including effective ingredients like retinol in your routine, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of a healthy diet. And this includes avoiding these four foods that can thwart your best attempts at keeping your skin healthy and glowing.
French Fries
Fried foods like French fries are high glycemic index, which means they can make acne worse, especially if you’re prone to clogged pores and pimples. These types of carbs can raise your blood glucose levels and can even release free radicals that can negatively affect your skin’s elastin, which is responsible for keeping your skin supple and tight.
Candy and Sugary Drinks
A once-in-awhile sweet treat is one thing; making candy and sweetened beverages like soda a daily habit can raise blood glucose levels and cause an inflammatory response in your body. When that happens, this inflammation can result in more oil on your skin and more acne. But these foods can also dry out your skin and cause it to be dehydrated, which only makes fine lines and wrinkles look more noticeable.
Processed Meats
Processed Meats like beef jerky contain a lot of sodium. This high sodium content can dehydrate your skin and weaken collagen, which leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some processed meats including beef or turkey jerky, can also contain high levels of protein, which means they can be good for you when eaten in moderation. But the key word here is: moderation.
Good for You: Greek Yogurt With Blueberries
It’s not all bad news — there are a number of delicious foods that are also great for your skin. One of them is protein-rich Greek yogurt, which contains probiotics that are great for promoting health skin. Add a few anti-inflammatory blueberries on top and you’ll help combat the inflammation that can lead to an overproduction of oil and acne.
Good For You: Dark Chocolate
If your sweet tooth gets the best of you, don’t fight it. Choosing dark chocolate over milk chocolate or other candies gives you the added benefit of flavanols that can protect against sun damage, increase blood flow to the skin for a healthy glow, and encourage the boosting of collagen.
Nuts
Whether your favorite nut is walnuts, almonds, pistachios — or a mix of everything — there are so many health and skin-health benefits to nuts that there’s no wrong answer. Nuts are rich in vitamins and minerals like selenium, which is an important one for your skin, nail, and hair health, as well as the antioxidant vitamin E that can reduce inflammation and prevent acne.
Skin products and procedures are great, but to ensure your skin is as healthy as possible, make sure you’re eating certain foods in moderation and boosting your intake of other important vitamins and minerals that are great for your skin’s health.
