The 8 All-Too-Common Foods That Are the Worst for Your Skin

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Foods with a high glycemic index

Foods with a high glycemic index are linked to acne – because when you eat a lot of this kind of food, your body experiences an increase of glucose and insulin levels. A body with a low glycemic diet has 50% fewer accounts of acne.

Switch to whole grain options, instead, because they’re high in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.

Sugar

Sugar, as much as we love it, is one of the absolute worst things for your skin. It is the most aging food that we consume, and weakens our immune system to boot! Too much of it will make your skin lackluster, and speed up your body’s production of wrinkles. This is because it damages your collagen and elastin, two things that keep your skin plump and young.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that sugar feeds cancer as well. So in general, we all ought to cut back. When it comes to your skin, too much of it in your body weakens your ability to fight bacteria. Long story short, more bacteria = more toxins = worse skin.

So choose to satisfy your sweet tooth with natural sugars like those found in fruit, instead of that candy bar!

Alcohol

Technically this is a drink rather than a food, but it’s worth mentioning. Alcohol doesn’t just give you a headache the next morning, but it severely dehydrates you. This affects your skin because your body metabolizes what little water it gets before it has the chance to reach your skin.

Alcohol can also cause vasodilatation, which aggravates rosacea, and make your skin look dull. It doesn’t just damage your mental defenses when you have one too many, but also your skin’s.

Coffee

A diuretic, caffeine also severely dehydrates you. Not only does that dry out your skin, but caffeine increases your production of cortisol. More cortisol than necessary accelerates the aging process, thinning your skin.

So maybe next time you’re about to watch one more episode of Game of Thrones before bed (“I’ll just grab a jumbo coffee before work…”) you’ll rethink, and decide the better route is just to get that extra shut-eye!

Fried Foods

Fried foods aren’t just an issue for your fat intake, but they can cause oil buildup in your body.

They are also believed to possibly trap bacteria in your body and on your skin, causing you to break out more.

Processed Foods

In general, processed foods are bad for your health as well as your skin. The further grains get from their original state, the less they retain their natural goodness. Processed foods are often loaded with sodium and sugar, also, which we know we don’t need more of!

Snack on whole grains and fresh fruit and veggies instead.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial colors and sweeteners are essentially science experiments that you’re putting into your body. They have no nutritional value, and can irritate your body, especially if you’re sensitive or have allergies.

These artificial products often create inflammation and histamine reactions, and what’s worse, your body tends to store these chemicals in your tissues. It wasn’t made in nature, so your body has no chance of recognizing it. Just what you need, aspartame hanging out longer than you wanted it to!

Salt

Salt, especially iodized (processed with iodine) is terrible for your skin.  It causes your tissues to swell, making you look puffy and even a little unhealthy.  It can aggravate acne, so it’s important to reduce your intake.  Note that most of the salt you consume doesn’t come from a shaker, so check the labels before buying packaged foods and snacks.