Foods That Cause Skin Issues

By Colleen Welsch

You’ve been faithfully following a skincare regimen of high-quality products, but you’re still not seeing results. What gives? Well, if your diet isn’t also top-notch, your food choices may be the underlying cause of less-than-stellar skin.

Eating a healthy diet is a crucial part of a comprehensive skincare routine. Foods rich in skin-nourishing vitamins and minerals will support healthy, beautiful skin. On the flip side, foods that contain toxic ingredients can damage skin and cause not-so-pretty issues like dryness, breakouts, and eczema.

If you’re having any of these skin issues, follow our recommendations for diet alterations and say hello to more beautiful skin!

Issue: Tired-Looking Skin with Fine Lines, Wrinkles or Laxity

The Culprit:

Sorry, carb queens. Sugar is to blame here.

Excess sugar in the diet causes glycation, which speeds up the skin’s aging process. During the glycation, excess blood sugar (otherwise known as glucose), sticks to collagen molecules and damages them. Collagen is the protein that gives skin that youthful elasticity and resiliency, so as collagen deteriorates, skin takes on a tired, worn look.

The Fix:

To stop glycation in its tracks, reduce simple carbs in your diet and replace with whole-grain alternatives (or more vegetables!). Ditch the soda and begin a LaCroix habit, and save sweets for special occasions only.

To restore and repair skin, try an anti-aging serum with vitamin C that supports the production of collagen like our Vitamin C Ampoules

. We also love

-with live, freeze dried collagen - which provide stellar results in minutes.

Issue: Excessively Oily Skin with Acne

The Culprit:

We apologize to our favorite ice cream makers, but your dairy habit may be to blame for your breakouts. Milk contains testosterone, a hormone which can amp up oil production and contribute to acne. Plus, if you’re lactose-intolerant, dairy can also cause a splotchy complexion and eczema flare-ups.

The Fix:

Cut down on dairy consumption or try alternatives made with almond or coconut milk. You don’t have to give up cheese and ice cream forever, but eat them sparingly.

To rebalance facial oils and destroy acne-causing bacteria, try our

. Have acne scarring? Our

are amazing for fading scars and hyperpigmentation.

Issue: Dry, Dehydrated Skin

The Culprit:

Been attending a lot of coffee dates or happy hours lately? They might be to blame for this one. Caffeine and alcohol are both natural diuretics, meaning that they pull water from the body and cause dehydration. Plus, when you’re drinking caffeine or alcohol, you tend not to be drinking water, resulting in further dehydration.

The Fix:

Keep caffeine and alcohol consumption to a moderate level, and always follow their intake with a glass of water to reduce their diuretic effects.

Water can also be lost through the skin. If dryness is your concern, swap out your daily moisturizer for one that creates a protective barrier on your skin. Our

utilizes squalene to lock in moisture for long-lasting hydration.

Do you have any foods that you avoid for your skin’s sake? Let us know in the comments!