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Most people think that the secret to clear skin lies at the bottom of a fancy moisturizer or serum, but dermatologists say that it actually all comes down to your diet.
Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between what you eat and the quality and appearance of your skin, linking foods and drinks with high-glycemic levels as potential causes for skincare conditions like clogged pores, acne, and more.
“They’re the sugary foods, the white bread, the donuts and the muffins,” dermatologist Dr. Linda Stein Gold says, noting that these foods trigger bad skin because they make "the sugar in the blood [to go] up quickly, and that triggers a cascade of events that increases hormones and increases sebum, and all this together actually causes acne to flare up,”
But, there's one surprising food that is notorious for clogging pores due to one skin-irritating ingredient... granola bars with whey protein.
“Bars and drinks that are high in whey protein can cause outbreaks,” says Dr. Howard Sobel, a leading Cosmetic Dermatologist in NYC and owner of Sobel Skin.
According to Women’s Health, some research suggests that whey protein causes a spike in sebum production which leads to clogged pores and acne.
So, what should you be eating instead? Dr. Stein Gold and other dermatologists agree that the best food and drinks for your skin are fortified with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. So, try adding more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet for the sake of your skin!
