This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
We all know that aging is a natural process that we can’t stop, but what if there are other factors that could be speeding up the process? Dermatologists have noted that your diet and skincare routine can be one of these factors, and that there are certain processed foods and habits that could be leading to premature aging and wrinkling. We asked experts for four common processed items that dehydrate skin, and how each of them can affect your ability to age gracefully.
Read on for suggestions and insight from Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, founder of RenewMD and skin by Dr. Simran Sethi, Dr. Angela Casey, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skincare line, Bright Girl, Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology and Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified NYC dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
1. Eating Potato Chips Often
Many kinds of potato chips have super high salt content. Sethi notes that these foods will never help hydrate your skin (and this can contribute to faster wrinkling along with cracking and peeling). "Due to osmotic pressure, salt draws water out of cells, including skin cells, leading to dry skin,” Sethi explains.
Instead of salt, she suggests to try "seasoning foods with lemon, black or red pepper and dried herbs." Sethi adds that "over time, the body will stop craving higher levels of salt while remaining more hydrated."
2. Consuming Instant Noodles Frequently
Kung says that instant noodles are also loaded with sodium, which can also dehydrate your skin (leading to premature aging if eaten in excess along with similar foods). "Scientific studies have demonstrated that high salt intake has been shown to impair dermal tissue remodeling, inflammation in the skin, and increase hormonal vasoreactivity," Kung warns.
Therefore, she goes on, "salt may have implications in wound healing and aging." MSG is another ingredient in this food that can mean a more inflamed complexion. Ultimately, Kung says it's "well known to induce flushing of the skin, which can worsen conditions like acne rosacea."
3. Snacking On Packaged Pastries
Whether you love bakery treats like croissants, donuts, cinnamon rolls or muffins, there's no denying how tasty pastries can be as a treat. If eaten every day for breakfast however, Sethi notes that this can take a toll on your skin and ability to age gracefully.
Refined sugar often derives from cane, sugar beets, and corn (which are all heavily processed to isolate the sugar). You might know it by its other names, such as sucrose, glucose and high-fructose corn syrup.
Excess refined sugar consumption, Sethi points out, causes intrinsic damage to collagen and elastin proteins in skin by the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). "This reduces the integrity and elasticity of skin, making it prone to dehydration and wrinkling," she says.
4. Eating Lots of Dairy Products
Lastly, Kung says that "dairy, milk products, [and] whey protein increase IGF-1, resulting in oilier skin." She adds that processed and packaged "meat and dairy protein increases leucine, which triggers an inflammatory pathway."
Dairy products like milk and cheese and other meats are not necessarily always bad for you, Kung stresses, but if your skin is already prone to breakouts or skin inflammation, she suggests reducing the amount of dairy you're consuming every day because this could be a sneaky culprit behind your skin woes.
She stresses that drinking enough water along with adding more water-loving fruits and vegetables to your daily menu is a great place to start if hydrating your skin is your goal!
5. Skipping Sunscreen
The first and most crucial mistake when it comes to skincare, Chacon says, is staying out in the sun without sunscreen, or with some, but not enough, applied. As we age, our skin and its barrier become more delicate.
The layers naturally lose moisture, she points out. Staying out in the hot sunlight without any protection can lead to faster aging, premature wrinkling and the development of dark spots. "Definitely the biggest mistake that people can make when it comes to their skin is too much exposure to sunlight," Chacon says.
"This is a single biggest culprit when it comes to faster aging." she adds, as well as a damaged skin barrier. Your skin is composed of layers, she says, and the skin barrier is also called the stratum corneum.
"Over time, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light damages certain fibers in the skin barrier, including collagen and elastin," Chacon adds. These proteins help keep skin looking supple and tighter. "The avoidance of sunscreen is one of the biggest missteps that people can make when caring for their skin and in their daily routine," Chacon stresses.
To avoid this, Chacon recommends "simplifying your skincare regimen," and "prioritizing sun protection." She recommends "carrying sunscreen in your purse" to avoid forgetting to apply it. "Always have sunscreen ready, as this is extremely important," she continues.
In addition, she suggests wearing a wide-brim hat when out in the sun for prolonged periods of time and also making sure your sunglasses have UV protection.
6. Falling Asleep With Makeup On
We’ve all done it— finally gotten home from a night out and unexpectedly fell asleep with makeup still on our faces. Sleeping with makeup on is uncomfortable for many reasons (mascara smudged in your eye, feeling foundation clog your pores, etc) but it’s also a way to contribute to or accelerate wrinkled skin if done often, Jaliman says.
“Sleeping with makeup on is a big mistake many women make," says Jaliman. "Your cells regenerate themselves while you sleep, and your skin is then most able to absorb topical treatments and DNA repair is boosted," she continues.
After coming home and preparing to go to sleep, she stresses that it is crucial to "wash your face thoroughly before bed to remove dirt, bacteria, oil, sweat and pollutants, as well as any makeup."
"If there is a night you’re just too tired to wash your face, then at least use a makeup remover wipe," Jaliman says, pointing out that this is better than the alternative— catching z's while clogging your pores and preventing your face from looking healthy in the morning. "I prefer using a makeup remover wipe over falling asleep with a full face of makeup," she says.
It is widely acknowledged among dermatologists, including Jaliman, that failing to remove makeup before sleeping, inadequate facial cleansing, and an inconsistent anti-aging skincare regimen are not conducive to healthy skin. These habits can cause premature aging and the formation of wrinkles.
"Sleeping with makeup on and not washing your face before going to bed or working out at the gym allows bacteria to grow on your skin and clogs pores," Jaliman concludes, adding that visiting your dermatologist for more information can help you create a daily and nightly routine that you can not only find relaxing and comfortable to follow, but importantly one that truly prioritizes your skin's health and a timelessly youthful glow!
