Maintaining healthy, youthful skin depends on preserving collagen and elasticity, which are essential for firmness and a smooth complexion. However, certain ultra-processed foods can accelerate skin aging by depleting collagen levels and reducing skin elasticity. These foods are often packed with sugars, refined carbs, and harmful additives that contribute to inflammation, glycation, and oxidative stress, leading to wrinkles and sagging.
Now that it’s a new year, it’s the perfect time to identify and ditch these culprits from your diet to support glowing, resilient skin and prevent premature aging.
We checked in with several skin and health experts to discover two foods to leave behind because they promote collagen loss and reduce skin elasticity. According to them, butter/margarine and sugary cereals are the ones to avoid. Read on to learn more.
1. Full-Fat Butter & Margarine
Believe it or not, research has proven that foods "do in fact" impact the skin's oil production, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology, reveals. "Dairy, milk products, and whey protein," in particular, she notes, "increase IGF-1, which will cause oilier skin."
We all know the benefits of vitamin D and calcium, and getting enough of them daily is vital for overall health, but skincare expert Dr. Adrienne O’Connell, Medical Director and President of Laguna Beach Aesthetics, cautions that consuming too much dairy like butter can lead to an oilier, greasy-looking complexion. While oils in your face are natural and can have positive effects, too much excess oil can clog pores and trigger acne.
Robyn Newmark, skincare expert and founder and CEO of Newmark Beauty, adds that "margarine is one food you should avoid if you want to prevent wrinkles and dry skin." This is because this food is "frequently made with partially hydrogenated oils, one of the most prevalent trans fats." While trans fats "contribute to heart disease," she also warns that they may also accelerate the skin's aging process.
"Trans-fatty acids make the skin more susceptible to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause damage to the elastin and collagen in the skin," Newmark explains. Furthermore, Newmark notes that "margarine can cause chronic inflammation, speeding up the formation of wrinkles."
2. Sugary Cereal
Sugary cereals can impact skin health due to their high glycemic index and sugar content. The high sugar level in these cereals can lead to a process called glycation. Glycation occurs when sugar molecules bind to proteins like collagen and elastin, forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs weaken collagen and elastin, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles.
"Excess refined sugar consumption causes intrinsic damage to collagen and elastin proteins in skin by the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)," Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, founder of RenewMD and skin by Dr. Simran Sethi, explains.
"This reduces the integrity and elasticity of skin, making it prone to dehydration and wrinkling," she adds.
Alternatively, "fruits can satisfy a sweet tooth" if you're used to a sweeter breakfast, and they "also hydrate the skin due to their high water content."
