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As it turns out, there really is something to the saying, “beauty is skin deep.”
While maintaining a skincare regime packed with cleansers, toners and moisturizers might help us feel beautiful, the best version of our skin starts with what we put in our body. Yep, we’re talking about diet! It can be satisfying to drop a paycheck at Sephora (we’ve all been there), but the truth is: you don’t have to spend a ton of money on skincare. Furthermore, you *can* eat your way to healthier skin with the right foods.
But the opposite holds true, too. Just like foods such as seeds, avocados, and leafy greens help promote a glowing complexion, other food groups can sabotage your plans for beautiful, blemish-free skin. With that said, let’s take a closer look at which food you definitely shouldn’t eat for clear skin.
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Processed meats
By processed meats, we're referring to the category of foods including hot dogs, sausage, pepperoni, and some deli meats. As tasty as they may be, they're best avoided. That's because processed meats are notoriously high in nitrates, which damage the skin by causing inflammation and wrinkles. They also contain lots of sodium, which can lead to water retention, and cause puffiness in the face.
Hmm. Maybe the next time you're craving a charctuerie board that's packed with salami, resist the urge, or substitute with a healthier meat.
According to registered dietician Trista Best, the high amounts of saturated fats, sodium and sulfites in processed meats are "damaging to health in many ways, including skin health. They are dehydrating to the skin which can lead to wrinkles and also weaken collagen. When collagen loses its strength, inflammation and fine lines appear."
One of the buzziest trends in the health and beauty spaces, collagen is vital to building and supporting body tissues. As we age, our collagen stores naturally decrease-so taking collagen supplements or eating a diet that's rich in collagen helps to slow down the aging process. In other words, anything that weakens collagen stores is definitely less than ideal.
The other problem with processed meats is their concentration of saturated fats. "Eating large amounts of it can increase insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which increases inflammation and can contribute to things like acne breakouts in the skin," explains Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology.
But just because processed meats trigger acne flare-ups doesn't mean you have to abstain from meat completely. Instead, replace processed meat with organic, grass-fed meats wherever possible, in order to avoid excess sodium and and sodium nitrates. Grass-fed meats are typically higher in omega-3s than conventional meats, and thus, better for you.
