From Sugar Sag to Dairy Breakouts: How Our Diet Influences Our Skin
Here’s a question we never thought we’d have to ask: “is sugar making your skin sag?” It turns out that sugar sag, dairy breakouts, and other diet-related skin conditions are impacting more and more people. This should come as no surprise as it has long been known that what we eat and drink are two of the most significant influences on our skin. Studies have found that healthier diets are linked to fewer signs of skin aging and disease.
As summer approaches, it’s time for bare feet and bare skin, so if you’re looking to get your complexion perfect for those #nomakeup summer days, you’re in the right place.
Preventing Sugar Sag
Antioxidants are the key when it comes to preventing sugar sag. You can get your daily antioxidant fix from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in addition to supplements. The next, more obvious step for healthy skin is to reduce your refined sugar and carb intake because it leads to glycation — a process in which sugar molecules bond covalently to proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. When these byproducts accumulate in the skin it can cause the skin to become stiff and puffy because inflammation is another side effect of glycation — all of these factors contribute to saggy skin and wrinkles. What’s more, sugar breaks down collagen and elastin, leading to crows feet and fine lines — you may want to swap that summer nightly ice cream sandwich with some fresh fruit! Also, try incorporating more of these foods into your summer diet to avoid sugar sag and other sugar-related skin issues.
Fresh berries
Carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
Tomatoes
Beans, peas, and lentils
Salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish
Spinach and other leafy greens
Fish oil supplements
Be sure to limit refined carbs and sugars, like white bread, sweets, white rice, sugary drinks, donuts, and so forth. Replace those foods with whole-grain carbs, hearty vegetables, and the wrinkle-fighting antioxidants found in fruit. Don’t forget to drink your water for hydrated, clear, and glowing skin and overall good health.
Dairy and Breakouts
Studies have known that dairy can trigger acne because of how it changes the way testosterone and estrogen are regulated in the body. But, it can also elevate the insulin-like growth hormone-1 (IGF-1), which can make acne even worse. What’s more, the proteins found in dairy include whey, which elevates blood insulin levels, and casein, which increases IGF-1 — both acne triggering and worsening factors. To find out if dairy is the culprit behind your breakout woes, eliminate it from your diet for a week or two and watch how your skin reacts. The good news is there are so many cow’s-milk alternatives on the market these days that you’re unlikely to even miss the real thing!
Working on the inside to better your skin paired with a great skin maintenance plan for the outside is key! Our licensed skin professionals can assess your skin and make recommendations based on your skin goals. We offer many skin treatments including our signature HydroJelly Facial, COSMEDIX's facials and peels, Radio Frequency Microneedling, Dermaplaning, and coming soon.... CUPPING FACIAL for facial toning and lymphatic drainage. Need some help getting your skin summer-ready? We can treat acne, redness, dry skin, aging, swelling, saggy texture, and other common skin problems.