15 Worst Foods for Your Skin Health

This post is about 15 of the worst foods for your skin health

Many factors can affect the look and feel of our skin such as stress, the lack of sleep, and even environmental changes. 

But did you know that certain food choices could also reflect in your appearance? 

In this post, we’ll list 15 of the worst foods for your skin health. Brace yourself, because some of them may just surprise you.

How Foods Can Cause Skin Problems

Food provides our body with energy to move, grow, and carry out various functions. 

As the largest organ in the body, the skin also performs several roles fueled by proper nutrition. 

When our diet consists of nutrients like vitamin C and zinc with plenty of water, the skin can repair itself efficiently while maintaining its elasticity and radiance. 

However, when our diet lacks essential nutrients it may lead to issues like premature aging, acne, and dryness. 

Additionally, nutrient deficiencies can further exacerbate existing skin conditions like Rosacea.

Therefore, it is important to build a meal plan around foods that will nourish you from the inside out and limit those that don’t.

15 Worst Foods for Your Skin Health

The items on this list can impact your health externally and internally.

So, it’s recommended to reduce your consumption of them and eat more of the right foods, if possible. 

With that said, read on to discover 15 of the worst foods for skin health.

Sugary Snacks

Sugary snacks such as candy, pastries, and other desserts can spike your blood sugar.

Your body, as a result, releases higher amounts of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This hormone overstimulates the oil glands which may encourage pimples.

Research shows that people with acne are 54% more likely to have consumed a diet high in fat and sugar.

Also, these foods can damage your skin’s collagen, reducing its suppleness. 

Fried Foods

Fried foods don’t necessarily trigger skin issues on their own.

However, consuming a diet rich in unhealthy fats and processed carbs can lead to inflammation.

This inflammation can cause negative signals to be sent from your gut to your skin,  potentially resulting in flare-ups like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. 

Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products may activate the ( IGF-1) which is a factor linked to excessive acne in some people.

Certain dairy products such as skim milk are thought to be more likely to produce acne than other types.

Alcohol

Overconsumption of alcohol can leave your skin dehydrated, giving it a dull and tired appearance. Alcohol may additionally dilate the blood vessels making the skin look flushed and red. 

Caffeinated Drinks

Similar to drinking too much alcohol, indulging in high amounts of caffeine can lead to dehydrated, flushed skin.

Moreover, caffeinated drinks that are consumed later in the day may interfere with your quality of sleep.

If you don’t get sufficient rest, it becomes harder for the skin to repair and regenerate cells. Eventually, this can result in breakouts and a dull appearance. 

Salty Foods

A diet high in sodium may cause your body to retain water and make the skin look puffy or bloated. Salty foods could additionally worsen underlying skin conditions like acne and rosacea. 

Processed Meats

Processed meats (i.e., sausage, bacon, and deli meats) may contain a number of chemicals and additives to preserve and flavor the product.

However, these enhancements can contribute to inflammation, endangering the immune system and leading to flare-ups in the skin. 

Spicy Foods

The heat from spicy foods can cause blood vessels to widen, increasing blood flow and warming your skin.

This may leave the skin reddish around the face, neck, and chest areas. Spicy foods may also worsen existing conditions like Rosacea. 

White Bread and Pasta

White bread is a starchy, refined carb that can spike blood sugar and trigger inflammation.

The sugar spike forces the body to produce more sebum (natural oil that coats the skin and hair). If the sebum becomes excessive, it may result in acne formation.

The inflammation on the other hand can worsen underlying skin conditions.

However, in a small study involving young men, researchers discovered that reducing sugary and starchy foods, including white bread, helped their acne improve.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks tend to be high in sugar and caffeine both of which cause problems for your skin. The caffeine may leave the skin dehydrated while the sugar contributes to skin issues and premature aging. 

Artificial Sweeteners

Certain artificial sweeteners like neotame may damage the healthy cells in your intestinal tract, resulting in digestive issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

These sweeteners may also harm your gut wall, a barrier that protects against harmful bacteria, sending inflammation throughout the entire body.

Shellfish

Some shellfish like shrimp and crab are high in iodine. While iodine is an essential mineral that we need for our thyroid function and overall health, an excessive amount could cause existing skin conditions to flare up depending on the person.

Margarine

Margarine is not a recommended substitute for butter because it is high in trans fats or partially hydrogenated oils.

These fatty acids are artificially made and may negatively impact your health.

Trans fats make your skin more sensitive to UV rays which can damage the skin’s collagen and elasticity. They also promote inflammation and worsening skin issues.  

Soda

Many sodas are laden with sugar, caffeine, and chemicals. Aside from the inflammation and blood sugar spikes of this drink which can accelerate aging, it may also clog your pores.

One of the most important functions of skin is detoxification. So, it flushes toxins out of the body through pores, but when they are clogged, the toxins can’t be expelled.

Moreover, when the skin’s sebum is released, it can not be absorbed because of the blockage, keeping your skin dehydrated and leading to flaky patches. 

Whey Protein

Whey protein is actually considered safe for the majority of people.

However, whey protein contains a certain amino acid called leucine that can trigger breakouts and eczema flare-ups in some people, even if not consumed in high doses.

Even so, exceeding 30 grams of this protein can also lead to acne.

Skin Care from the Inside Out!

While we talked a lot about the different foods that can cause skin issues, it is important to remember that it’s all about balance.

There is absolutely no need to blacklist your favorite treats; just mix in some skin-friendly choices and keep the body well-hydrated. Oh, and don’t forget your skin routine!

P.S.-IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, CONSIDER READING SOME OF MY OTHERS: 20 BEST FOODS FOR CLEAR SKIN