7 Major Food Mistakes You are Making which Hurt Your Skin

Flawless skin seems to be the envy of every woman nowadays; but there is more to having amazing skin than simply perfect genetics or the latest skincare remedy. Skincare actually starts from what we put into our body because what we take in affects the quality of our skin! Having a good diet & using natural products automatically helps your skin stay healthy and steering away from a couple key ‘no-go’ foods will give you a leg up in keeping your skin in pristine condition. In this article, we are going to deep dive into seven specific food mistakes that will not do your skin any favors, and in some cases even do it direct harm. Some of these food mistakes also have adverse effects on your short-term and long-term health as a whole as well; so, it is just prudent to avoid or at least reduce intake of some of these food groups as a general rule. Here we go! 

1: Carbohydrates (especially simple carbs)

The biggest myth when it comes to carbohydrates is the thought that all carbs are bad for you, which is not the case! Complex carbohydrates found in potatoes, brown rice, and wholegrain pasta are actually good for you in appropriate quantities. The ones that are bad for you in more than small quantities are the carbs which are refined and found in bread, candy, soda, ‘fruit’ juice, and white pasta. Though these are fine as treats or in small quantities, they are not ones to make staples in your diet. These kinds of foods will increase blood sugar levels and stimulate oil production in your skin cells, which in turn increases acne and wrinkles prone-nature for skin. Consider replacing these carbs with protein, veggies, and complex whole grain foods. 

2: Over Intake of Salt

Most of these food group warnings are centred around over-intake. Anything in excess is most likely to be bad for you, and it is important to remember that. Even something that is great for you will become dangerous if consumed in excess. Sodium intake causes puffy eyes, dark circles, and facial bloating. Over-indulgence in salt will cause under-skin tissues to swell up and make your face puffy and seem tired. High doses of iodised salt have also been proven to increase acne breakouts in facial skin. 

3: Over-Indulgence in Alcohol 

Alcohol in moderation, like most things, is actually not bad for your health at all. However, too much alcohol intake in your diet can be extremely damaging for the health of your skin. Drinking heavily causes severe dehydration of the skin which can cause dullness, wrinkles, and skin dryness. In addition, heavy drinking deprives the body of Vitamin A, which helps the skin renew and repair. Skin conditions of many types can be triggered by over drinking as well, from eczema to psoriasis. Although this does not mean going cold turkey completely, most physicians recommend sticking to one or two and leaving it there. 

4: Axing Healthy Fats from your Diet

Eating healthy does not mean starving your body of what it really needs, and this is a lie that a lot of women believe! Being ‘in shape’ is not worth it if you are keeping your body from the nutrients it needs. Healthy fats with omega-3 and nutrients that your body requires are good for you and necessary for your body. Foods such as walnuts, soybeans, and fatty fish such as salmon all carry these important nutrients. These foods and the fats they contain actually help to prevent breakouts, wrinkles, and dry skin. Olive oil, avocadoes, and other types of nuts are also important fat-carrying foods to keep in your diet. 

5: Too Much Dairy

Dairy is healthy, right? Absolutely, but only in the right quantities. Too much dairy intake in a diet causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. If your skin is especially prone to breakouts, this might be a food group to avoid entirely. A hormone found in milk stimulates the production of pore-clogging skin cells. If you are prone to breakouts, this might be one to limit down significantly. 

6: Caffeine Intake

The stress hormone cortisol, which is increased with coffee is proven to be damaging to skin health. It can cause dehydration, wrinkles, and dulling of the skin. It might be time to switch to decaf!

7: High Sugar Diets

Diets that are high in sugar have been proven to be prone to premature skin aging, and cell damage. This is due to the wearing down of collagen and elastin in the skin. Cutting back on sugar is definitely a healthy decision on all accounts! 

About the Author

Elizabeth Hines is a digital marketer and online content writer for UK Writings and Academized. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and travelling. She also writes for Boom Essays blog.