Clear skin starts from the inside out. It’s not just about what you put on your face but also what you eat every day. Some foods that seem harmless can actually trigger breakouts, redness, or dullness. You might blame your skincare routine, but your diet could be the real issue. These common foods might be doing more harm than good when it comes to your skin.
Sugar
Sugar may be sweet, but it’s not doing your face any favors. When you eat sugar, it causes a spike in insulin that sets off a chain reaction of inflammation, which can lead to breakouts and redness. Over time, sugar also breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. That glow you’re chasing? Sugar’s working against it behind the scenes.
Dairy
That post-lunch yogurt or morning latte might be the reason your skin keeps flaring up. Dairy is known to contain hormones that can overstimulate your oil glands and clog pores, especially for people already prone to acne. Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, your skin might still be sensitive to it. If nothing else is working, cutting back on milk and cheese could be worth a shot.
Processed Food
Packaged snacks, frozen dinners, and fast food meals usually come with a side of preservatives, added sugars, and artificial fats. These ingredients can throw off your body’s balance and increase internal inflammation, which shows up as dullness, redness, or recurring acne. Your skin reflects what’s going on inside, and these foods send it mixed messages.
Fried Food
Deep-fried anything might taste amazing in the moment, but your skin pays for it later. These foods are typically cooked in oils that are high in unhealthy fats, which can cause excess oil production in your skin. That buildup can clog pores and trigger breakouts, especially if fried food is a regular part of your diet.
Alcohol
Booze dehydrates your body fast, and your skin is often the first place that shows it. Less hydration means a lack of plumpness and glow, plus more fine lines and dull patches. If you already deal with redness or rosacea, alcohol can make it worse by dilating blood vessels and increasing inflammation. Occasional drinks are fine, but daily happy hours could be part of the problem.
High Glycemic Food
Refined carbs like white bread, sugary cereals, and baked goods cause your blood sugar to spike quickly. That spike kicks your oil glands into overdrive and increases the likelihood of clogged pores. These foods can also mess with hormone levels, which may lead to acne flare-ups. Swapping to slower-digesting carbs can make a noticeable difference in your skin over time.
Salty Snacks
Overdoing it on salty snacks can throw off your hydration balance, leading to puffiness and dry patches. The area around your eyes is especially sensitive to this, often showing swelling or bags after a salt-heavy day. On top of that, high salt intake has been linked to worsening skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Artificial Sweeteners
These low-calorie sugar substitutes might be helping your waistline, but not your complexion. Some sweeteners can disrupt your gut microbiome, which plays a major role in how your skin functions. When your gut is off, it can lead to more inflammation and skin sensitivity. That inflammation often shows up in the form of acne, redness, or dullness.
Shellfish
Shellfish like shrimp, crab, and lobster are naturally high in iodine, which has been linked to clogged pores and breakouts in some people. If you notice flare-ups after a seafood-heavy meal, iodine might be the culprit. You don’t need to cut them out entirely, but keeping portions moderate could help your skin calm down.
Caffeine
Caffeine can be helpful for staying alert, but too much of it can backfire when it comes to skin. It acts as a diuretic, which means it pulls moisture from your body and can leave skin looking dehydrated and tired. Caffeine can also raise cortisol, your stress hormone, which has been linked to breakouts and dullness.
13 Foods That Turn Back the Clock on Aging
Who doesn’t want to keep their youthful glow for as long as possible? While there’s no magic potion to stop the clock, certain foods come pretty close. This list of 13 powerhouse foods can help fend off the signs of aging from the inside out. Let’s dig into these delicious, age-defying options and how they benefit your body.
Read it Here: 13 Foods That Turn Back the Clock on Aging
12 Superfoods To Transform Your Health
If you’re looking to give your health a serious boost, you may want to consider adding some superfoods to your diet. These 12 superfoods pack a punch when it comes to vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can kick your health into high gear. And don’t worry, we’re not just talking about kale and spinach; there are some surprising and delicious items on this list that’ll make your transformation an enjoyable experience.
Read it Here: Eat These 12 Superfoods To Transform Your Health
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
