5 Enemy Foods Of Your Skin

Our generation is all about skincare. Skin care product sales have increased significantly from last year compared to other products that we usually link it to, like make-up.  This is a testament to the change on how we perceive skincare in general. It is now considered an essential part of our overall care for the self. 

Besides buying products, people are really invested in the skincare act, and we also make it a big consideration in choosing the food that we eat to maintain healthy skin.  Which is also why more and more people are shifting to healthier options for their diet.

If you are new to this skincare trend and a bit lost on what food to eat and what not to, then don’t worry. We’ve named a few foods that can be enemies of your skin so that you know where to start. 

Enemy 1: fast food 

If your main problem is acne, then you should lessen your consumption of fast food. Most of the fast food restaurants prepare their food deep fried in huge amounts of oil. Though it’s what makes it taste so good, it’s also what causes our skin to produce excessive amounts of oil. Excessively oily skin may lead to your skin having larger pores and acne. 

It must be noted however that this is not the only source of acne. A person’s genetics and hormonal levels are also a big factor as to why a person can have acne. Nonetheless, it’s better to try and lessen oil consumption in general. 

Enemy 2: SODA 

What makes the all-time favorite summer drink an enemy to the skin is its high sugar content. The excessive amount of sugar in its formulations damages collagen formation. 

Collagen is what makes our skin look youthful and prevents it from sagging. It also helps our bones, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, and ligaments become strong. Our body has the natural ability to produce its own collagen by breaking down protein and turning it into amino acids, but take note that it only does so until we turn 30. If you’re nearing this age, it may be best to cut off sugary sodas, if you have a few years before 30 then it might be best to cut off too to promote the healthy production of collagen.

Enemy 3: ALCOHOL 

Alcohol can dry out the skin. It’s a kind of diuretic, which means it increases the urine output we have in the body. While it can be good for the release of the body’s excess salt, toxins and other elements, too much of it may also dehydrate the body. In that scenario, taking away the moisture and drying out the skin.

Dehydration doesn’t only make our skin feel flaky and scaly, it also makes fine lines and wrinkles more visible than usual.

Enemy 4: PROCESSED MEAT

Chorizo and bologna are just some of the cold cuts that make our sandwiches extraordinary.  The sad thing is that every good bite from these cold cuts has a consequence for the skin. 

These meat slices are preserved with huge amounts of sodium and maybe that’s why they taste so good. However the high amounts of sodium are not good for the skin. It is said that high-sodium food can cause water retention and encourage swelling and puffiness mostly  around the eyes. If you’re one to really get the good kind of eye masks, then your investments on it might be in vain just for that bologna sandwich. Maybe it’s time to lessen your cold cuts consumption. 

Enemy 5: spicy food 

Here’s another enemy to identify if you’re fighting acne: spicy food. Though there are no studies that explain it, it is said that spicy food can trigger sudden breakouts of acne, especially for those with acne prone skin. 

Besides excessive oil in the body, acne and other inflammatory skin conditions are manifestations of huge amounts of heat in the body. Spicy foods usually have acidic lycopene that can irritate the skin. Acidic lycopene also disturbs your pH balance and causes your body to react differently, thus the breakouts.  

With that being said it may be good to avoid spicy foods when trying to battle acne. 

Our skin’s ally: a healthy lifestyle  

Our skin is the biggest part of the body, which is why it is not surprising to know that our diet is a significant factor of its state. This does not mean though that to have a healthy and glowing skin we have to sacrifice our love for food. There are still ways to enjoy food, besides there are healthy alternatives that are not just healthy but are also just as good as our regular guilty food pleasures.

Keep in mind that it’s not just about what we eat, it’s also about what we do. Exercise keeps our blood flow regular— healthy circulation also gives the skin a healthy glow from the nutrients and oxygen the body equally receives. 

Bottom line is, skin care is more than creams and serums, it’s not just aesthetics. What we take and what we do affects it a lot, it’s all about a healthy and balanced lifestyle.  Our skin’s beauty is a manifestation of the healthy habits that we do for our body. The cleaner and healthier habits we practice, the more our skin becomes effortlessly radiant. The journey for healthy skin is a balance of a good lifestyle and good skin care products.  

Healthy skin means a healthy body. It’s a process (and probably a long hard one) to shift to healthier habits but at least now we can begin with knowing what to avoid, and this is already a great start. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sophia Young is a content writer covering lifestyle and fashion topics. She’s actively participating as a guest blogger for various lifestyle blogs and has been co-authoring some articles of her colleagues. She’s currently enrolled in a content marketing course hoping to expand her knowledge in digital marketing.