7 Foods That Are Ruining Your Skin

Keeping your skin fresh and healthy gets increasingly harder with age. Make sure your diet isn’t making things worse! Here are seven foods that promote an unhealthy complexion.

Soda

Soda pop and other high-sugar beverages can damage the formation of collagen, the connective tissue that help keeps skin firm — another reason to stick to calorie-free bevies like water, seltzer and unsweetened tea.

Alcohol

The diuretic effect of alcohol can wreak havoc on your skin, sucking out the moisture and contributing to a sunken and washed-out look. Booze doesn’t need to be completely off-limits, but be sure to enjoy in moderation. Counteract the effects by taking in extra fluids when you do tip a few back.

Candy

It’s no secret that candy is no good for your waistline, but all of those processed sugars can also damage your skin by promoting inflammation.

Home made corn dogs with ketchup and mustard, classic american food

Corn dog with ketchup and mustard

Home made corn dogs with ketchup and mustard, classic american food

Photo by: Igor Dutina ©Copyright: Igor Dutina

Igor Dutina, Copyright: Igor Dutina

Fried Foods

Fried foods can lead to bad skin, but it’s not from rubbing greasy fingers on your face (though that probably won’t help). Eating too many high-fat foods can have a negative effect internally on circulation. This can cause that skin puffiness that no one appreciates when looking in the mirror.

White Bread

Some research suggests that foods with a high glycemic index (GI) can be bad news for your skin. Eating high GI foods like white bread and other highly processed carbs causes a drastic spike in blood sugar and insulin, which has been linked to acne.

Salty Snacks

Chips, high-sodium dip and condiments can quickly jack up your salt intake for the day. This kind of salt consumption leads to water retention that you can feel all over, including under your skin.

Bowl of homemade mayonnaise - overhead view

Mayonnaise

Bowl of homemade mayonnaise - overhead view

Photo by: Photographer: V.F. ©Copyright: V.F.

Photographer: V.F., Copyright: V.F.

Mayonnaise

Foods high in Omega-6-rich oils like mayo and some salad dressings can stimulate inflammatory processes, making skin less than stellar. Many of these plant-based oils (like soybean, corn and safflower oils) are good for you in moderation. For best results, eat Omega-6 fats in combination with inflammation-fighting Omega-3s from foods like salmon and tuna.

Related Links:

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

Next Up

7 Lucky Foods for Friday the 13th

Banish bad vibes with these lucky recipes from Food Network.

7 Best Food Processors of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We sliced, diced, shredded and blended to find the best one to suit your needs.

7 Foods We’d Never Think To Cover in Chocolate

From chocolate-covered whole jalapenos to pork rolls, these treats are definitely a little out there.

7 Foods to Include in a Weight Loss Diet

Don't waste your money on secret potions and potentially dangerous supplements to lose weight. Including these real foods in your diet is a safer way to lose weight.

7 Foods We Should Eat More of in 2023

From zero-proof drinks to convenient weeknight sheet pan recipes, here’s what dietitians hope we’ll all eat more of in 2023.

7 Things Food Network Editors Were Obsessed With in February

These are the products we couldn’t get enough of.

7 Best Store-Bought Stuffings, Tested by Food Network Kitchen

Need to skip homemade this year? Go with one of these boxes.

The 7 Best Water Bottles, According to Food Network Staffers

Our favorite water bottles to take on hikes, to the office and everywhere in between!