Your skin is a reflection of your overall health and lifestyle. When it appears dull and dehydrated, it’s often a sign of underlying issues like poor hydration, insufficient nutrients, or oxidative stress. While skincare products can help externally, what you eat plays a critical role in skin health. Certain foods can either nourish your skin or exacerbate problems like dryness, uneven texture, and lack of radiance.
@drbergofficialIn this TikTok, I tackle the worst foods for your skin. Unveiling the culprits behind dull, dehydrated skin, it’s time to rethink some common dietary choices. It’s not just about losing weight, it’s about maintaining a healthy glow while you do so. Ready to say goodbye to bad skin days? Dr. Eric Berg original sound – Dr. Eric Berg
Dr. Eric Berg, creator of the Healthy Keto and with a YouTube account of over 12M subscribers, recently revealed the top culprits when it comes to “dull, dehydrated skin.” Some of them include low-fat foods, processed protein, and more. Read on to discover all four.
1. Low-Fat Foods
While low-fat foods may seem like a healthy choice, they can actually harm the skin. These foods often lack essential fats and nutrients while also loaded with sugar, artificial additives, or refined carbs to enhance flavor.
“Did you realize that 50% of the cell membrane that makes up your skin comes from saturated fat? So skin that is starved of fat looks older and dehydrated,” Dr. Berg says.
Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids and other unsaturated fats are essential for maintaining youthful skin as we age. Avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish are all excellent choices.
2. Processed Protein
“The big one is the soy protein isolate. A lot of these plant-based proteins are super low in fat; they’re highly refined, and people take them to lose weight. They may help you, but when you lose weight, you don’t look healthy," Dr. Berg notes.
Many of these processed proteins often contain additives like preservatives, artificial flavors, and low-quality fillers that can promote inflammation in the body. For vibrant skin, prioritize unprocessed protein sources such as lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts.
3. Sugary Foods
Many people aren’t aware that sugar is one of the main culprits behind skin problems, and this includes wrinkles. Excess sugar triggers glycation, a process where sugar molecules bind to proteins like collagen and elastin, making them stiff and less functional.
“Take a look at a diabetic; they have terrible skin (like acne). Why? This is because sugar increases insulin, and insulin increases androgens, which make your sebaceous glands enlarged, and that’s what acne is,” Dr. Berg states.
4. Grain Foods
Excessive grain consumption, especially in the form of refined or processed foods, can contribute to gut imbalances.
Grain foods contain gluten, and “gluten messes with your gut,” Dr. Berg says. “Anytime you have gut issues, you’re going to have skin problems.”
For hydrated and youthful skin, try focusing on adding whole, nutrient-dense foods. These include various healthy fats, unprocessed protein, and low-glycemic options. These choices support collagen production, reduce inflammation, and nourish the skin from within.
