Let’s be honest, everyone loves to indulge in soda and chips whenever they can. Unfortunately, delicious foods like these are a double-edged sword.
The skin on your face contains pores and sebaceous glands that naturally release sebum, or your body’s natural oils, from within your body. When your body is filled with foods that contain harmful ingredients, they can be released through your pores and appear on your face as acne, texture, and a dull complexion.
When you consume foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates, your body responds by producing more insulin. This increases the production of skin oils and contributes to the clogging of pores on your face. Which can easily be the leading cause of pimple production on your skin.
It is important to be conscious of what you are putting in your body because it can affect your skin’s health as well as your appearance.
Skin Health
Why is the health of your skin important?
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and serves as your protection from the outside world. It deserves to be pampered and taken care of just as you would your hair or nails!
A growing body is not the only thing that will affect acne production. Many of our skin problems stem from what we choose to eat. Lucky for us, we have the power to control what foods and drinks we consume to maintain healthy skin.
How Food Affects Your Skin
A glowing complexion can tell a lot about your diet. It can be a confusing concept that what you eat directly affects your skin. To better understand this topic, we are going to dive deeper into how food molecules affect the health of your skin.
A diet with too much sugar can lead to inflammation, acne breakouts, and premature aging of the skin. Premature aging of the skin is seen through wrinkles and poor elasticity.
When you consume foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, it’s more likely you’ll have an acne flare-up. Foods in this group include:
Processed foods like chips, crackers, and cookies
Starches like white bread, pasta, and potatoes
Sugary drinks like soda and frappuccinos.
These foods spike your blood sugar. Diets with high quantities of refined carbohydrates promote mild to chronic inflammation that results in acne and pimples.
While your body’s natural oils are essential in hydrating the skin, oils from fast food products contribute to sebum production on the face. This sebum can clog your pores, which causes pimples on the skin.
Foods to Stay Away From
Along with the foods we pointed out above, there are several foods that we recommend limiting.
Processed foods are one of the most common unhealthy foods found in our diets. Processed meats can be found in ready meals and your favorite snacks without you realizing it. It is important to be conscious of what ingredients are found in the foods you consume especially if you are trying to prioritize your skin health.
Refined ingredients are also harsh on the body. Refined carbohydrates are hard on your digestive system and are one of the leading causes of acne. Avoid refined carbs and sugars – these include sweets, white bread, pastries, white rice, sugary drinks, and most breakfast cereals.
For a long time, it has been thought that dairy products and acne breakouts are cause and effect, but according to dermatologists, there is a weak link between dairy and bad skin. Cow’s milk has been given the cold shoulder since the rise of dairy-free alternatives. This is likely due to it being widely accepted that dairy isn’t good for us. The truth is that the evidence to support this is lacking.
What’s the Solution?
To combat the effects of problem foods, foods high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties like fruits and vegetables should be incorporated into your diet. A diet of healthy foods has the power to gradually clear your skin because of the clean ingredients you are consuming.
Skin Care Tips for Clear Skin
Using products with known “skin-loving” ingredients is the way to go. Products with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Salicylic Acid are great for targeting acne and uneven complexions. Serums with Vitamin C act as an antioxidant on the skin to smooth your complexion and give the appearance of flawless skin.
Skin issues such as large pores and wrinkles can be treated with a 2% BHA treatment that will help reduce built-up layers of dead skin, revealing beautiful skin underneath.
Foothills Med Spa Treatments for Clear Skin
If you are concerned about your skin health or have a specific problem in certain areas, rest assured that the experts at Foothills Med Spa can help!
We offer a range of treatments from chemical peels and Hydrafacials, to dermaplaning and microneedling. Our team of experts has the know-how and experience to give you radiant, glowing skin. From acne scars and stretch marks to everything else in between, we have a custom treatment option available for you.
Visit our website today to learn more about our range of treatments!