Lifestyle
Food & Nutrition
Fitness
Any food can be good or bad for your skin, depending on how much you consume, when you consume it, and what your other nutritional habits are like. Here are some of the worst foods for your skin that you should avoid if you want to maintain clear, healthy skin and keep acne at bay. There are also some ways to modify your diet so that these foods won’t have such a detrimental effect on your skin health.
Avocados
When it comes to getting healthy skin, sometimes you should listen to your mom: She’s probably right about that avocado face mask. Avocados are a good source of vitamin C, which is important for wound healing. When applied topically, avocados can speed up cell regeneration. And speaking of applying things topically… there’s another chemical in avocados that does wonders for your skin—antioxidants called carotenoids. Carotenoids are particularly great at fighting free radicals (molecules that damage healthy cells). To fight free radicals, you need lots of antioxidants—and other carotenoids have been shown to have similar benefits as those found in avocados.
Fried Chicken
The crisp coating of fried chicken may be delicious, but you’re doing your skin a disservice by indulging in it. The Maillard reaction—the chemical process that makes food brown when cooked—forms compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These compounds accelerate collagen breakdown, leading to wrinkles on your skin. Additionally, fried foods often contain large amounts of salt, which can cause inflammation that damages collagen fibers. Save fried chicken for special occasions: Check out our recipe for healthy baked chicken instead!
Canned Tomatoes
One of my main tips is to avoid anything that comes out of a can. Canned tomatoes are an example of healthy food that’s been packaged in a way that makes it unhealthy—more than 80 percent of canned tomatoes are sourced from highly processed or grown hydroponically. You’re better off eating them fresh, when possible.
Margarine
Some brands of margarine are chock-full of trans fats, which we now know increase inflammation levels in our bodies. Reducing inflammation levels will make your skin healthier, as a team from The New York University School of Medicine found that people with low inflammation levels have smoother, more elastic skin. To prevent inflammation in your body, reduce your intake of processed foods like margarine.
Microwave Popcorn
While buttery popcorn is certainly delicious, it’s really bad for your skin. It may sound crazy, but its high saturated fat content causes inflammation that can worsen acne. Plus, since most microwave popcorn is made with genetically modified corn, it contains pesticides that can increase oil production in your skin. Overall, it’s best to steer clear of all kinds of microwave popcorn. If you can’t resist getting a little crunchy with your movie, try popping some organic kernels on the stovetop or in an air popper instead—you’ll be better off both inside and out!
Sweetened Dairy Drinks
By far, one of the worst foods you can put in your body is sweetened dairy drinks, including milkshakes, lattes, and flavored milk. This is because high-fat dairy products—including ice cream, cheese, and full-fat yogurts—are already high in saturated fat. And when you add sugar or other refined carbs into the mix? Chances are that whatever you’re eating has been stripped of many essential nutrients and vitamins. A study from Spain found that people who consumed two or more servings of sweetened dairy per day had a 70 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those who rarely drank these kinds of beverages.
Added sugars in juices, sweets, and baked goods
We know added sugars are bad for us, but did you know they’re also bad for our skin? These added sugars have no nutritional value and, when consumed in excess, will lead to inflammation. Increased inflammation can exacerbate symptoms of skin disorders and eczema, ultimately exacerbating visible signs of aging. Instead of consuming juices or sweetened beverages, try adding a natural sweetener like honey or stevia (which is extremely low on the glycemic index) to your drink instead. But as always, check with your dermatologist first!
Creamy dressings like ranch dressing
Creamy dressings are typically made with heavy cream, mayonnaise, or sour cream. Not only do they add an unnecessary amount of fat to your salad or wrap; but they’re also notorious for breaking down cell walls in vegetables, which causes your body to absorb less healthy nutrients from them. Opt for lighter dressings like vinaigrette and stay away from creamy dressings like ranch dressing.
Pizza
Skipping a slice of pizza once in a while isn’t likely to make your skin break out, but eating it frequently—especially if you use cheese as your topping of choice—can take a toll on your complexion. Pizza’s high sodium content can lead to increased puffiness or water retention. It also tends to be loaded with fat, which can promote acne. If you don’t want greasy pizza skin, stick with veggie toppings or lean meats instead of pork sausage or pepperoni, which tend to be fattier than other meats available at pizzerias. (And here are 5 foods that are actually good for your skin!)
Energy drinks
You’ve probably heard that people need to be more cognizant of what they’re putting into their bodies, but many are shocked at just how damaging energy drinks can be. According to a University of California study, those who consume energy drinks three or more times per week were almost three times as likely to suffer kidney damage than people who don’t drink them at all. Be careful not only about how much energy drink you’re consuming but also about how often you’re drinking it; two cans per day may not seem like a lot, but it’s enough to cause serious problems in your body over time. If your skin isn’t clear or if you can feel small lumps on your face, then cutting back on these dangerous beverages is a smart move.
