The Worst Foods To Eat If You Have Sagging Skin, According To A Dermatologist

Aging is a natural and expected process, but if you want to do it gracefully it’s crucial to have a healthy and balanced diet. If you’re noticing undesired wrinkles and sagging skin, foods that boost collagen paired with a consistent, dermatologist-approved skincare routine can make your skin appear more vibrant.

There are also plenty of foods you can avoid when prioritizing your skin health. We spoke with Dr. Paula Morgan, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FAAD about foods and beverages that aren’t beneficial to the skin at any age.

Although eating products with sugar and simple carbs won’t create instant wrinkles, they really don’t do your skin any good over time. “Sugars and simple carbs cause the skin to lose collagen, resulting in a loss of tone and elasticity,” says Morgan. This, she says, is because sugar creates a fast change in blood levels of insulin (the hormone that helps cells absorb glucose).

“When glucose levels shoot up, insulin levels increase and this causes cells to lose their elasticity, which results in wrinkles,” adds Morgan. She also notes that one of the byproducts of sugar metabolism is glycation, “where glucose binds to collagen fibers” and makes them “stiff and inflexible.” All in all, sugary foods and simple carbs aren’t the best choice for your skin, and also contribute to other negative health effects like inflammation and higher blood pressure.

They are ubiquitous, cheap and easily accessible, but anything heavily processed or containing trans fats won’t promote the healthy skin you desire. “The nutrients in processed foods are stripped of their natural state— they are separated from other elements that might be essential for health,” says Morgan. “So while processing makes food last longer, it diminishes its nutrient power.”

Processed foods, Morgan warns, also contribute to a wide array of health problems like obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, inflammatory diseases (like psoriasis), and cancer. Regarding aging skin specifically, trans fats obtained from hydrogenated oils (found in processed foods) can lead to dry skin and wrinkles, Morgan says.