Everyone knows that food keeps your body slim and healthy, but that’s not the only thing it does. What we eat affects every part of our body, even the outer surface—the skin. While you may think that your makeup is clogging your pores and your hormones are causing you to break out, the food you’re eating could also be hurting your complexion.
The different types of food that you eat can either help or hurt your skin. When thinking about skincare, it’s important to be knowledgeable about which foods are going to make your skin glow and which are going to cause breakouts and premature signs of aging.
What Foods Are Not Good For Your Skin?
Certain foods that you eat have the potential to harm your skin. For example, “refined carbs” which refers to processed sugar and processed flour, break down into sugar. Refined carbs feed the bad bacteria in your gut. Since acne is a bacterial condition, refined carbs can lead to breakouts. Refined carbs also increase oil production in your skin and clog your pores. On top of that, processed sugars age your skin.
Avoiding processed foods altogether is great for a healthy diet and healthy skin, but also be aware of what you are eating. Cutting table sugar isn’t enough; sugar is disguised in many foods as high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, and glucose-fructose. Refined carbohydrates include white flour, muffins, pastries, pasta, pizza crust, and white bread. If you have a sweet tooth, consider dark chocolate to satisfy your craving. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that make you look and feel good.
In addition to sugar and processed foods, the following is a list of foods to avoid if you want healthier looking skin:
- Dairy
- Soy
- Fast Food
- Gluten
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Salt
Foods That Are Good For Your Skin
While several foods can affect the look, feel, and overall healthiness of your skin, many foods are good sources of essential vitamins and nutrients that help our skin. These foods include:
- Fruits and Vegetables—The antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can help you fight signs of aging such as wrinkles. Additionally, many fruits and vegetables are at least 75 percent water, making them a great source of hydration for a healthy skin regimen.
- Fish—The hydrating healthy fats found in fish make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. Fish that are high in fat like salmon are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for skin health. Omega-3 fats in fish reduce inflammation which causes redness and acne.
- Tea—Another great option for hydration is tea. Tea contains polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. Studies have found that polyphenols help prevent sun-related skin cancers. Green tea extracts, in particular, have been shown to protect skin cells against damage from harsh ultraviolet rays.
- Zinc-Your skin contains about six percent of all zinc in your body. Zinc is essential for protecting cell membranes and maintaining the collagen that keeps skin firm. Red meat is an excellent source of zinc.
- Vitamin-C—Any food with vitamin C is good for your skin as vitamin C is involved in collagen production and protects cells from free radical damage. Some of our favorite foods to eat for vitamin C include guava, bell peppers, oranges and orange juice, grapefruit, strawberries, pineapple, broccoli, kales, Brussels sprouts, lemons and lemon juice, cantaloupe, cauliflower, raspberries, and blackberries.
Get Your Best Looking Skin Ever
Healthy eating can do more than aid in weight loss; it can improve the appearance of your skin as well. Jackie Carr of PUR-ONE MEDISPA offers medical grade skin care products and in-office treatments to help patients look and feel great about themselves. With over 16 years of experience, you can trust your skin to Jackie Carr. Our services along with your healthy diet will have your skin looking better than ever. Contact PUR-ONE MEDISPA to schedule an appointment today.