Doctors, dermatologists, and nutritionists couldn't stress it enough: you are what you eat. For those who like to indulge on greasy and sugary foods, it's only quite natural that the skin will eventually break out. So before you start blaming your genes and start wondering if you're back to your awkward teenage years, check out this list of the worst skin offenders that you should avoid to bring back your healthy, glowing skin.
1. Cakes
As sweet as it sounds and tastes, they're not exactly your skin's best friend. NYC-based dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD tells Yahoo Health that when you are "consuming high amounts of sugar, your blood sugar levels increase, allowing your insulin levels to quickly spike. This sudden sugar rush within the body leads to inflammation, which can reveal itself in the form of acne." Yikes.
2. Dairy Products
Please put that cheese down. Nutritionist Keri Glassman, RD, founder of The Nutritionist School, says, "Hormones found in dairy are often culprits of breakouts." All kinds of dairy, even the organic ones, have natural hormones that, when consumed, can cause excess production of sebum, leading to clogged pores.
3. White Bread
Aside from white bread, foods like cereal and pasta have high glycemic levels. It means that they can raise blood sugar levels, thus leading to excess oil and breakouts. The key here is portion control. "High glycemic food products have been known to trigger acne, so try to limit the amount consumed in order to reduce breakouts," says Jaliman.
4. Sugary Drinks
No question there. Aside from being generally bad for your health, sweetened drinks also contain high amounts of sugar that lead to inflammation which, in turn, causes breakouts. "Healthy" juices are no exception. They may also contain high sugar content, so be sure to read the labels.
5. Fast Food
You know it's going to be here, right? "Trans fatty foods can cause inflammation, which can lead to breakouts and even wrinkles," explains Glassman. Fatty foods also trigger a hormonal response after being digested, which can lead to pimples.
6. Salty Food
Unlike sugary food, it does not directly cause acne. However, it can worsen minor breakouts due to its dehydrating effects. It is best to steer clear from the recognizable crooks (such as chips, pretzels, and salted nuts), and the not-so-recognizable ones (like canned soups and processed meats).
