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Pastries and Enriched Breads
"Pastries and breads are made from processed refined carbohydrates that lead to inflammation," says Trista. "When selecting breads, it is best to look at the ingredients list-and if the first word is enriched, you'll want to leave that loaf on the shelf."
White breads also contain sugar, which is pro-inflammatory. Consequently, a diet high in sugar can worsen any existing conditions like eczema, rosacea and acne. Sugar has also been associated with higher rates of skin cancer and signs of aging skin, according to Heathline.
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Processed Meats
Processed meats-think hot dogs, sausage, pepperoni and deli meats-are another food group that are best avoided if you're looking to pamper your skin. "They commonly contain high amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and sulfites that are damaging to health in many ways, including skin health," Trista adds.
The high sodium content dehydrates the skin, leading to wrinkles and weakening collagen. As the protein that plays a major role in keeping your skin moisturized and elastic, collagen is an essential defense against premature aging. "When collagen loses its strength inflammation and fine lines appear," Trista notes.
Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology, agrees. "Most highly processed meats are full of sugar and the unhealthy form of fat called saturated fat. 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," she says.
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Candy
This probably comes as no surprise, but the sugar in candy offers no nutritional benefit and can wreak havoc on your skin. While it's alright to indulge in moderation, candy might be "the worst food for your skin," says Elizabeth.
She continues, "It’s not just the high sugar (which is bad enough), it’s the fact that there’s basically little to nothing of nutritional value in it for aging skin. And sugar causes enough trouble. Sugar creates AGEs (advanced glycation end products) that lead to stiffening and breakdown of our collagen and elastin fibers."
The bottom line is that it's important to think about the foods you put in your body in order to maintain your glowing complexion. Keep up the good work with all your favorite skincare products-but maybe avoid candy, enriched breads and processed meats the next time you're out grocery shopping.