You’re all familiar with the old adage, “you are what you eat”, and although you won’t literally turn into a donut from eating too many baked goods, you will notice that your diet has a significant impact on your skin’s appearance. Foods high in vitamins and minerals like fresh fruits and veggies will leave your complexion with a luminous glow while eating too many processed foods can make your skin dull and weathered. From salty snacks to sugary treats, below are three unhealthy habits you need to break today for a healthy, glowing complexion tomorrow. 

1. Too many soft drinks, not enough water

Although an ice cold cola can quench your thirst, it won’t deliver the required nutrients and hydration required for a healthy, supple-looking completion. A recent study from The University of California showed that an over-consumption of sugary soda can lead to premature aging, a range of diseases, and even a shortened lifespan. The damaging effects of sugar are due to glycation - a process which produces free radicals that destroy collagen and elastin, the building blocks that keep your skin strong and supple. Over time, the sugar from soft drinks will “destroy the elastin you already have and slow the production of new collagen. The result is dull, uneven, wrinkled skin” (Byrdie.com).

How To Fight Back Against Glycation: 

The solution is simple - drink more water, cut back on sugary soft drinks and use products that fight against glycation. Our Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil, for example, is infused with oil-based vitamin C that tackles the visible signs of aging and smooths wrinkles. Its ingredients also fight free-radical damage and reduce further symptoms of aging skin.  

2) Too Many Salty Snacks 

Have you ever woken up with the appearance of puffiness around your eyes? In addition to the fact that you didn’t get enough shut-eye, it could also be due to over-snacking on salty foods. The high level of sodium found in some of your favorite snacks like popcorn and potato chips creates inflammation in your body which will show up on your skin. Too much salt can cause your body to retain water and leave skin with a swollen and inflamed appearance (Medical Daily). 

How To Fight Sodium-Induced Inflammation

Flush sodium from your system and keep inflammation down by working up a sweat and drinking plenty of water. Always read labels on packaged goods to make sure you’re not maxing out on your sodium intake. According to The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, an average adult should stay under 2300 mg a day which means you can still enjoy salty foods, just make sure to do so in moderation.  

If you do wake up with puffiness around the eye area we recommend our Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream to revitalize the eye area and reduce the look of puffiness. You can also use products from our Calm Skin line, including our Calm Skin Exfoliating Peel, Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser, Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer, Calm Skin Arnica Masque and Calm Skin Arnica Booster-Serum. 

3) Too much dairy

The jury’s still out on whether dairy is 100% bad for your complexion, but there’s some evidence that too much cow’s milk can have a negative effect on your skin. The assumption is that milk contains components related to the hormone testosterone that may stimulate oil glands in the skin, setting the stage for acne.

How To Avoid The Negative Effects Of Dairy On The Skin

Cut back on dairy and always opt for organic, hormone-free varieties of cow’s milk. If you think you might have an intolerance to dairy, it’s important to contact your physician for testing and a diagnosis. If you are intolerant to dairy and/or lactose, there’s a huge variety of yummy and healthy dairy-free milk alternatives including almond, coconut, rice and soy milk. 

If you experience a dairy-induced breakout, spot treat with our Clear Skin Targeted Treatment which uses ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid (sourced from willow bark) to combat the look of problem skin. 

What foods do you avoid for your healthiest complexion? Tell us in the comments.