Type the word “skin” into your favorite search engine and check out what pops up. Loads of us are asking things like “what are the worst foods for acne prone skin,” “what are the best foods for clear skin,” and “what foods inflame skin?” See a trend here? People are trying to determine how poor diet affects your skin as well as what foods promote healthy skin.
Our skin is a window into our general health. And yes, you are what you eat. Some people are naturally more sensitive to certain foods than others. However, everyone can benefit from knowing what foods are bad for your skin and why.
Everyone has a different skin type, so considering your skin needs in addition to your food intake is also important. In addition, lifestyle and genetics are other factors that determine what your skin is like.
The food we eat today is so much different than that of our ancestors. The bulk of us are eating ingredients and not simple foods. Some foods might seem common to eat, or even healthy, but could be wreaking havoc on your skin health!
Let’s talk today about some of the worst foods for your skin. These are foods that are known to inflame skin, aggravate acne prone skin, and create a bad complexion. In addition, it is just as important to talk about the best foods for skin – specifically for healthy, glowing, clear skin.
The 22 Worst Foods For Your Skin
First of all, don’t feel bad if you can’t eliminate every one of these foods entirely. You can always try to reduce the amount you eat to start. Rather than make a drastic change that stresses you out, read more for alternatives that you can easily choose to eat instead.
Especially relevant is the fact that our skin is our largest organ. Everything we eat eventually makes it’s way to our skin. Later, I’ll also explain how everything we put on our skin makes a huge difference as well.
Foods that are proven to be bad for your skin:
- soda
- mayonaise
- ketchup
- french fries
- hot dogs
- ice cream
- chips
- salad dressing
- white bread
- candy
- vodka
- energy drinks
- milk chocolate
Other foods that inflame skin:
- processed meat
- refined sugar
- refined carbohydrates
- hard alcohol
- coffee
- dairy products
- fried food
- salty foods
- spicy foods
Foods That Can Make Skin Worse
Some foods that don’t necessarily fit the basic list of “bad” are not the best choice for many people. The following foods may also pose a problem for your skin health:
- wheat
- gluten
- meat from animals fed corn
- corn oil
- safflower oil
- white rice
- shellfish
- brazil nuts
- pecans
So what foods are good for skin?
To reiterate – what we eat and drink is a major contributing factor to our skin’s health. If any of the foods mentioned above are part of your regular diet, consider swapping them out for healthier alternatives. Your skin will thank you!
These are the 28 Best Foods For Clear Skin
- fiber-rich foods
- green tea
- brocolli
- almonds
- berries
- salmon
- avocados
- sunflower seeds
- sweet potatoes
- red & yellow peppers
- tomatoes
- brightly colored veggies
- grass fed meat
- kale
- coconut aminos
- red wine
- olive oil
- dark chocolate
- coconut flour
- almond flour
- quinoa
- non-gmo soy
- prebiotics
- probiotics
- chia seeds
- flax seeds
- cherries
- mangoes
The importance of water for your skin
Above all, drinking enough water every day is crucial to skin health. It flushes toxins and of course keeps skin hydrated. So increase your water intake for best results! If you get tired of plain water, try adding detoxing herbs that help cleanse your skin.
13 herbs that are good for your skin
This list includes herbs that can be eaten or used in tea infusions, baths, or topically. Be sure to educate yourself on the safety of each herb, and how to use it appropriately.
- Dandelion
- Turmeric
- Burdock
- Calendula
- Comfrey
- Lavender
- St. John’s Wort
- Helichrysum
- Plantain
- Rose
- Carrot Seed
- Marshmallow
- Yarrow
What skin experts are saying
Dermatologists agree that our skin can often reflect our health and age. When our skin is healthy, it protects us. When it is damaged or compromised, it is less effective at doing its job.
Our skin is the first defense against pollution, harmful UV rays, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals in the air. Your skin may be damaged by your lifestyle, environment or other health issues. Due to your skin’s ability to heal, there are many ways to improve your skin health and reverse the damage that has been done.
Lifestyle and skin health
In addition to a healthful diet, there are other critical factors to taking your skin health seriously. Think about how you can make positive changes by considering these aspects of your life.
- Stress – According to this scientific study, there are obvious correlations between psychological stress and skin symptoms. One example is that stress can increase the sebum production in skin that can clog pores. If you are experiencing on-going stress, make it a priority to find ways to reduce the stressors in your life or manage it better. Yoga, meditation, and time spent in nature are all helpful.
- Sleep – Are you getting enough sleep? It’s common knowledge that adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep every day. During this time your body regenerates and heals itself. Without proper amounts of restful sleep your body is unable to repair damaged skin and produce collagen. Getting more sleep will help your skin look its best.
- Smoking – Smoking reduces the elasticity in your skin. It also reduces blood flow and can cause wrinkles around your mouth and eyes. Your skin is depleted of the oxygen it needs when you inhale smoke.
Other ways to improve your skin
Now that we’ve looked at your diet and lifestyle, let’s go over the other two most important variables in regard to your skin’s health.
Moisture – Keeping your skin hydrated to retain moisture is an effective way of improving your skin’s appearance and longevity. Your skin has natural oils, so over-washing is never recommended. Using hot water can also strip moisture, so use warm instead.
Moisturize after bathing to trap in moisture, and don’t rub or scratch your skin to harshly (this includes wearing non-irritating clothing).
Cosmetics – What you eat and how you live your life are just as important as the products you use. It’s extremely important to understand what the ingredients are in the products you use!
Transparency & Safety in Cosmetics
Did you know that in the U.S., only 30 ingredients are restricted or banned from cosmetics? The European Union (EU) bans close to 1,400 ingredients, while the federal Canadian government currently prohibits less than 600 substances for use in cosmetics through Health Canada.
The U.S. law that governs the $62 billion cosmetics industry was passed in 1938 and does not provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the power to ask cosmetic companies for safety data or issue recalls of cosmetics found to be unsafe.
Think about the skin care products you use
Chemicals can accumulate in our bodies and prove harmful over time. Have you ever thought about what the ingredients in your makeup, shampoo, lotion, aftershave, cologne, or other cosmetics have in them?
There are many safer ingredients available today that work just as well as their commonly used, toxic counterparts. These days it can be difficult to trust cosmetic companies that are not fully transparent. It is legal to withhold full ingredients lists under protected terms like “fragrance”.
Some skincare products do more harm to your skin than you may realize. Furthermore, your entire well-being and health may be at risk with exposure to thousands of chemicals you are putting on to your skin!
Skincare products you can trust
The Clean Beauty Movement is revolutionizing the Cosmetic Industry and we can thank Beautycounter for that. Our mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone. We do this by creating and distributing safer, high-performing products; educating the public about how to avoid harmful ingredients; and urging the government to pass laws to better regulate the beauty industry.
We are a certified B Corporation, which means we use the power of business to help solve social and environmental problems by voluntarily meeting standards of transparency, accountability, and performance.
Safer skincare to improve your skin
Beautycounter does not compromise on product performance or safety, so you can be sure that what you purchase will not only work well, but will be safer. In addition, Beautycounter does not test products or ingredients on animals. We constantly review emerging data and prohibit the use of over 1,500 harmful or questionable ingredients. Read The Never List.
Take the Skin Care Quiz
Want to find out what is right for your skin type in less than a minute? Take the skin care quiz for free!
Various regimens to improve your skin
Skincare Regimens: Get serious about skin care. The products in our regimens are designed to work synergistically to deliver the best results possible. When you use a cleanser + toner + serum + moisturizer (in that order), you optimize your results. Save 10% when you purchase a four-piece regimen.
Rejuvenating Regimen – The ultimate regimen for rejuvenating skin and fighting signs of aging. The formulas feature jambu extract, which works to firm, nourish, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Countermatch Regimen – The best solution for hydrated, radiant, and youthful-looking skin. Powered by Bio-Mimic Technology, these products harness the unique life-giving properties of plants to match the composition of skin, giving it precisely what it needs and nothing it doesn’t.
Countercontrol Regimen – Take back control of your skin this powerful regimen for oily and blemish-prone skin that mattifies and clears without dryness and irritation.
Counterman Shave Regimen – Formulated to address the unique needs of men’s skin and facial hair, consists of four products designed to purify pores, prep skin for shaving and create a smoother shaving experience while hydrating skin. Featuring our innovative Sequoia Stem Cell Complex, this regimen helps protect skin from environmental stress.
Counterman Beard Regimen – Formulated to address the unique needs of men’s skin and facial hair, consists of four products designed to purify pores, hydrate skin, and condition the beard. Featuring our innovative Sequoia Stem Cell Complex, this regimen helps protect skin from environmental stress.
Types of safer products to improve your skin
Makeup – A safer, high-performance line of lip colors, foundations, bronzers and more. Beauty should do no harm.
Moisturizers, Serums, Treatments & Sunscreen – Results-driven products. No excuses. This is skin care held to the highest standard of safety. Protect and hydrate your skin with “Clean beauty” products.
Body Wash, Scrubs & Hair Care – Head-to-toe essentials that cleanse, moisturize, and protect. Start and finish every day with a clear conscience.
Babies & Kids’ Products – Your everyday routine just got safer. We don’t allow harmful ingredients in our bath & body collection. That goes for the whole family, too, with our selection of babies’ and kids’ products.
In conclusion
Now is the time to reevaluate your skin’s health by integrating the knowledge you now have to make better choices. Most of all, choose to take care of your skin by:
- eat fewer foods that are bad for your skin
- eat more foods that are good for your skin
- drink more water
- reduce and better manage stress
- stop smoking
- sleep 7-9 hours a day
- keep your skin hydrated and moisturized
- use safer skincare products
Learn more
As a Consultant for Beautycounter I can help you improve your skin’s health. Shop for Beautycounter products at my website here. Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.
About Lauren
Lauren Luquin, M.Ed. holds degrees in Cross-Cultural Teaching, Sociology and Metaphysical Science. She is also a certified Spiritual Aromatherapist, Reiki Master Teacher, and Ordained Metaphysical Minister and Practitioner. Lauren teaches how to transform, heal and awaken to the innate potential within, by empowering self-awareness, self-care, and facilitating energy flow to sharpen the senses- bringing a holistic mindset into focus. Lauren has helped thousands of people tune inward to navigate deep soul work, and connect outwardly within community and nature, through her eCourses, books, articles, spiritual counseling services and astrological Cosmic Soul Maps.
Find Lauren @spiralelixir on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Visit her other website to sign up for her newsletter and read more about Transformational Healing and Empowerment at www.spiralelixir.com
I drink too much soda and not enough sunflower seeds. I can work on that though. Thanks for the helpful article.
Ugh, salad dressing is definitely my weak spot here! Haha! I love salads and I LOVE salad dressing! I do need to work on using less. I do consume lots of bright veggies (I tend to go for the red/purple versions!), so that is one that I already eat a lot of! Thanks for the great post!
I have cut out most of the foods indicated on the don’t eat list. I do milk my own cows so control what is in the milk. I don’t do a lot of dairy but do consume some. I eat most of the foods on the should eat list. Doing pretty good overall.