When it comes to beauty, we all know that what we put on our skin makes a huge impact on our overall skin-health and beauty.
Our makeup, cleaning products, fabrics and environment all play a role in our ability to have clear skin or the lack thereof. However, when it comes to skin care, what goes beneath our skin matters just as much, if not more.
Are you struggling with achieving clear skin? Even with a proper acne treatment! Don’t worry, we got you. Here are top 3 foods that make you age faster and may be ruining your chances of having a radiant, flawless glow.
1. Sugar
By now, you’ve probably learned about how bad sugar can be for your body. The stuff can literally kill. But the effects don’t just take a toll on your insides, it shows on the outside, too.
High blood sugar levels cause your body to produce insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate your blood sugar levels. But that hormone leads to the production of another hormone called androgen, one that causes the sebaceous glands in your skin to secrete excess oil, which then gets trapped in your pores, resulting in pimples and acne.
Of course, no one eats sugar out of the bag. Sugar is hidden in almost every inorganic food you can buy, from processed foods to “diet” foods. That’s because sugar is a carb, and the more refined or processed the carb, the higher the sugar content.
If you struggle with acne or other skin issues, you’ll want to start cutting down on your sugar intake. Start with saying goodbye to junk and fast foods, white breads, pastas, rice and even your beloved potatoes. Swap them for whole grain foods and other complex carbohydrates, sweet potato and fiber- rich eats.
Even when it comes to fruits, some have a higher sugar-to- fiber ratio than others. Try increasing your veggie intake in their place, where you can manage it.
2. Dairy Milk
Aside from being infused with lactose, which is actually another type of sugar, dairy milk may be behind your patchy, red skin. According to experts, dairy milk is directly related to causing acne, other skin problems and aging. That’s because milk is a highly inflammatory substance that aggravates our bodies in many ways.
A lot of people have struggled with acne for years before discovering that it was their dairy intake causing their skin to breakdown, age and breakout in rashes, splotches and pimples.
Milk has hormones, like progesterone and other testosterone-related components, that stimulate oil glands in the skin, making it a suitable breeding ground for acne. If your skin is riddled in red spots, you might want to consider ditching the dairy and replacing it with almond milk, or another non-dairy milk.
Also, you might want to put down the ice cream and cheese, even (or especially) if they happen to be some of your most favorite foods. You can always supplement your calcium and magnesium intake with a host of healthier foods, like nuts, alfalfa sprouts and beetroots.
3. Caffeine
Better known as coffee, this popular morning beverage has been praised for its skin-cancer reducing properties in recent times. Although these claims have truth to them, anything done in excess can cause more harm than good.
With coffee, the same applies. While some experts may recommend you drink copious amounts of coffee for a 20% reduced chance of melanoma, this substance is intensely dehydrating. When it comes to skin and beauty health, dehydration is one of the worst things you can do to your skin.
Although we often associate oily skin with acne, dry skin is a culprit, too. Dehydrated, dead skin cells get clogged in your pores, along with dirt and bacteria, giving you the recipe for disastrous breakouts.
If you want fight cancer while keeping your skin hydrated and healthy, balance your caffeine intake with lots of water. You should actually be drinking more water than coffee, anyway. Plus, you can always boost your cancer-resistance by eating foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, like tomatoes and kale.
Conclusion
Although these three food-substances are the most common in our diets, there are more to be avoided.
Other dehydrating substances like alcohol, refined sugar foods like chips, and even inflammatory components like super spicy sauces, can be messing your skin up. Also, avoid shellfishes because they’re rich in iodine – another substance that causes clogged pores and acne.
If it seems like a huge sacrifice, just ask yourself this: what do you prefer? Clear skin or an extra order of fries and a milkshake? Remember, only one of those will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Lisa Hill
Very informative! I wasn’t aware that these foods can be harmful for skin. I will definitely follow your advice. Thanks and keep sharing.