Aging is an inevitable part of life, yet certain beverages might hasten its effects. For those concerned about early wrinkles, skincare specialists advise caution with drinks that can diminish skin’s suppleness, resulting in fine lines, dark spots, and a generally sunken, dehydrated appearance. Our latest discussions with dermatologists and medical professionals have pinpointed six types of drinks—sugary sodas, energy drinks, iced teas, alcohol, and processed bottled iced coffees—as particularly detrimental.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life and Dr. Jose Mier, Founder of Heliotherapy Research Institute and skin health expert.
We also checked in with Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, a board-certified physician, cosmetic dermatology surgeon, and owner of Qazi Cosmetic Clinic, Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, senior clinical dietitian at UCLA medical center and Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, founder of RenewMD and skin by Dr. Simran Sethi.
Doctors Share 6 Essential Drinks To Limit And Avoid To Age Gracefully
1. Sugary Sodas
While it's no secret that sodas aren't the healthiest drinks out there, the damage that they can cause when it comes to your skin is essential to be aware of, Rosen says.
Diet sodas, she explains, often don't have sugar, but can still contain "chemicals that are harmful to the body," and even cause premature wrinkling, along with inflammation. "Chemicals like phosphorus, potassium, and caffeine leach minerals from the bones and can damage the cells in the body," she adds. Kung agrees, and points out that "glucose and fructose [found in soda] link the amino acids present in the collagen and elastin that support the dermis, producing advanced glycation end products or AGEs."
She notes that "glycation of amino acids make it difficult to repair collagen and elastin fibers, which contributes to faster wrinkling and a dehydrated complexion." So, she would advise "against beverages that are high in sugars or made with high fructose corn syrup," such as sodas and other sweetened, fizzy beverages as they are "not healthy options" for "healthy aging skin."
While water is the optimal beverage for your skin's needs, kombucha or seltzer water can still provide you with carbonation if you desire, without as much sugar or chemicals.
2. Processed 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," Qazi 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. Hunnes agrees, explaining that many processed coffee drinks have "added sugars, sweeteners, and fats in them."
Think creams, syrups, flavorings, and colorings "such as caramel coloring in a bottled frappuccino, for example," she says.
To avoid this, Hunnes and Qazi recommend giving black coffee a shot (no pun intended), 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.
3. 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, Mier warns. Drinking these often can cause a sunken look— and ultimately mean darker under-eyes and more fine lines.
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.
4. Fruit Juices
While not as infamous as soda and other carbonated drinks, fruit juice can still be quite sugary, and it's precisely this sugar that can have negative effects on your body's collagen and elastin.
To support a healthier and more graceful aging process, experts recommend infusing your water with fresh fruit, such as berries or citrus fruits, instead of reaching for fruit juice when you crave something sweet.
5. Alcohol
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology asserts that consuming eight or more alcoholic beverages per week can substantially alter the appearance of your skin.
The consequences may include the prominence of fine lines and wrinkles, an amplified number of blood vessels that cause a reddish complexion, and even a swollen area beneath the eyes.
6. Iced Tea
Another popular cold drink that many of us sip in the summertime is iced tea. These can be very sugary and sweetened heavily, something Sethi stresses can cause dry, itchy and dehydrated skin.
"Excess refined sugar consumption causes intrinsic damage to collagen and elastin proteins in skin by the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)," she explains, regarding sugars found in iced tea.
"This reduces the integrity and elasticity of skin, making it prone to dehydration and wrinkling," she notes. "Alternatively, fruits can satisfy a sweet tooth and also hydrate the skin due to their high water content," she points out.
The Bottom Line
Our specialists assert that steering clear of sugars and artificial additives whenever feasible—and being mindful of your daily intake—can enhance your skin's radiance, hydration, and youthful appearance.
Of course, this is most effective when coupled with proper hydration, a balanced diet, and dermatologist-recommended skincare products.
