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The Worst Foods For Your Skin

The 4 Worst Foods For Your Skin
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By Corrie Pikul

Pimply? Puffy? Wrinkly? How the way you eat can affect the way you look.

Worst Foods For Your Skin
The Skin Saboteur Hiding In Plain Sight At Every Backyard BBQ(01 of04)
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Heating meat at high temperatures produces a chemical reaction between the fat and protein that results in compounds called "advanced glycation end products" (AGES). These AGES are aptly named, says Dattner, because they're linked to oxidative stress and inflammation that can make your skin look ruddier, duller and more wrinkled -- older, in general. (AGES can also increase your risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.) These compounds are found in French fries, potato chips, deep-fried chicken and other foods that have been cooked in oil at extremely high temperatures. What's more, Dattner says, is that AGES can interact with UV rays and wreak havoc on the skin.

Try this: You don't need to go on a raw-food diet, but it might not be a bad idea to eat grilled foods in moderation (deep-fried, too, but you knew that). (credit:Shutterstock)
The Wholesome Drink That's Linked to Acne(02 of04)
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Studies linking the consumption of dairy to breakouts date back to the 1960s. In fact, doctors used to treat acne by recommending patients give up milk, says Alan Dattner, MD, a holistic dermatologist who practices in New York and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). But then, as medication to treat pimples became more effective and available, Dattner says, there was less of a focus on preventing breakouts through dietary changes. That didn't stop the evidence (and the anecdotes) from piling up over the years, and in 2010, an influential research review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found an association between dairy consumption and acne. Now the AAD suggests that acne sufferers talk to their dermatologist about limiting dairy to see if that helps.

Try this: Consider cutting back on skim milk, Dattner says, which has shown the strongest link with skin flare-ups. (Yogurt seems to have the weakest effect.) (credit:Barry Yee via Getty Images)
The Snacks That Can Inflame Your Skin (While They Inflate The Rest Of You)(03 of04)
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When a team of nutritionists and dermatologists reviewed the scientific connection between food and skin, they came away with a pretty compelling case against a high-glycemic diet. Eating a lot of sugar (raisins, soda, honey, agave nectar) or simple carbs (bagels, pasta, cupcakes) can throw off your insulin levels, which can lead to inflammation both inside the body as well as on your face, explains Dattner. (Bonus: Giving up sweets and starches can also help you lose weight).

Try this: Dattner suggests that those plagued by pimples avoid sugary cereals, which often have a higher glycemic index than both sugar and simple carbs alone. (credit:Shutterstock)
The Little Bags Of Salty Goodness That Cause Little Bags Of Puffy Sadness(04 of04)
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Many brands of chips, crackers and popcorn are loaded with sodium, which can cause water retention. If you're prone to puffiness all over, it will be most noticeable under the eyes, because the skin there is very thin, and it doesn't take much to cause swelling. Dattner adds that these kinds of greasy snacks are likely to have been cooked at high temps, and thus contain AGES, which could result in a double-whammy of puffiness and redness.

Try this: Roasted, unsalted mixed nuts can satisfy your snack craving without the side effects. (credit:Shutterstock)

As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.

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Before You Go

What Women With Great Skin Do Every Day
They Cleanse Gently, Once A Day(01 of06)
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Unless you have oily skin, you only need to wash your face in the evening, with a creamy cleanser and lukewarm water. Give the cleanser time to work. "Instead of scrubbing your face, let the cleanser sit on your skin for several seconds and break down the makeup, dirt, and oil," says Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD. In the morning, simply splash your face with lukewarm water. (If you're oily, use a gentle foaming cleanser morning and evening.) (credit:Thinkstock)
They Reapply Sunscreen(02 of06)
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You know that the number-one way to prevent skin aging is to apply sunscreen, so of course you already use a morning moisturizer with an SPF of (at least) 30. What women with gorgeous skin also do: Reapply sunscreen every few hours. Sun-shielding ingredients are only effective for about two hours -- long enough to protect your skin on a morning walk or commute but not throughout the afternoon. New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, keeps Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder Brush SPF 30 ($50, Colorescience.com) in her bag because it's easy to brush on over makeup (and on the back of her hands or décolletage) throughout the day. (credit:Thinkstock)
They Use A Retinoid Cream Every Night(03 of06)
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"The first time I meet someone, I immediately know if she's using a retinoid because her skin is glowy and smooth," says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that have been proven to boost collagen, which reduces fine lines, and to speed cell turnover, which evens out discoloration. Retinoids are available over-the-counter (as retinol) or with a prescription (as tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene). Because retinoids can cause some irritation at first, Hirsch recommends applying a gentle moisturizer, letting it soak in for at least 30 minutes, then applying your retinoid cream. (credit:Thinkstock)
They Eat Salmon And Consume Lots Of Antioxidants(04 of06)
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Salmon's high omega-3 content helps hydrate skin from the inside out and reduce the inflammation that can cause skin redness, says Baumann. And antioxidant-rich foods and drinks -- blueberries, dark greens, green tea and coffee -- help fight free radicals that can damage the cellular structures of the skin, accelerating skin aging. (credit:Thinkstock)
They Break A Sweat(05 of06)
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Raising your heart rate once a day makes your skin glow. Because exercise improves your circulation and oxygen capacity, it improves your complexion. "And we know that the skin has endorphin receptors, which may also explain why it is positively impacted by aerobic exercise," says Baumann. (credit:Thinkstock)
They Sleep At Least 7 Hours A Night(06 of06)
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Cortisol, the stress hormone, ages the skin and can cause acne. Sleep reduces the cortisol level in your body. So it's a simple equation: Sleep = younger, clearer skin. (credit:Thinkstock)
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