Holiday Skincare Guide: Your Skin Will Thank You For Avoiding These Holiday Foods

The holidays are just around the corner, and for most of us, that means plenty of tempting (not to mention completely delicious) food! From chocolates to pavlova to roast chicken or turkey, the holidays usually bring with it a whole buffet of mouthwatering eats. But will eating certain foods wreak havoc on your skin? That is the topic we’re exploring today. Although the holidays are certainly a time for indulgence, there are a few foods that your skin will thank you for avoiding (or at least consuming in moderation). 

Avoid: Dairy

First up: dairy. You’ve likely heard that dairy can lead to breakouts in some skin types. This is true, especially for those with acne-prone skin. Due to the hormones injected into cows to stimulate milk production, consuming dairy, especially high amounts of it can exacerbate skin conditions like acne. So this holiday season, it might be a good idea to avoid the eggnog and cheeseball. 

Avoid: Refined Carbs

Next are refined carbs. We hate to say it but foods that are rich in carbohydrates, such as those that contain white flour, can also contribute to acne. They do this by increasing your skin’s production of sebum, which clogs your pores and results in pimples. In addition, refined carbs have been known to increase blood sugar, which leads to a breakdown in collagen (and collagen is what keeps our skin youthful and healthy). Unfortunately, the list of foods that contain refined carbs is a long one, including everything from cereal and bread to pasta and cookies. 

Avoid: Processed Sugar

Similar to refined carbs and dairy, foods that are high in processed sugar are something you may wish to avoid this holiday season. Over consumption of foods like baked goods, ice cream, or chocolate, can lead to glycation, and we all know what that means - AGEs, otherwise known as advanced glycation end products, which lead to free radical damage and deterioration of the skin. In essence, consuming foods high in processed sugar can speed up the skin’s natural aging process, resulting in a loss of elasticity and a gain of wrinkles and fine lines. So perhaps this holiday season, skip the pavlova and opt for some fresh fruit instead!

In Moderation: High Sodium Foods

When it comes to salty foods, the main impact on your skin is dehydration. This might not sound serious, but dehydration leads to a loss of moisture and elasticity, which manifests itself as dry, puffy, and wrinkly skin. That is why we recommend only eating those salted nuts, crisps, and pretzels in moderation. 

In Moderation: Alcohol 

Last on the list: alcohol. Most people like to imbibe a little more heavily around the holidays, and while we’re not trying to curb your festive fun, we do want to say that it might be a good idea (for your skin’s sake) to rein it in a little. That is because, like high sodium foods, alcohol causes dehydration in the skin. Even worse, boozy holiday cocktails tend to contain a lot of sugar, which if consumed in excess could lead to visible signs of aging. You don’t need to swear off alcohol altogether, but to keep your skin healthy and hydrated, be sure to pepper in some water and avoid overly sweet cocktails.