We all know that aging is an inevitable part of life, but did you know that some of your favorite drinks may be speeding up the process? If you’re over 40 and are concerned about wrinkles, then you might want to pay attention to skincare experts’ input.
We recently reached out to dermatologists and doctors to learn more about which sugary and chemical-filled drinks can weaken skin elasticity and lead fine lines, dark spots and a generally more dehydrated, sunken look. We’ll discuss the three kinds of beverages that the experts warned us about: sugary sodas, energy drinks, and processed, bottled iced coffees.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life, Dr. Jose Mier, Founder of Heliotherapy Research Institute and skin health expert, Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, a board-certified physician, cosmetic dermatology surgeon, and owner of Qazi Cosmetic Clinic, and Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, senior clinical dietitian at UCLA medical center.
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1. Sugary Sodas
While it's no secret that sodas aren't the healthiest drinks out there, the damage that they can cause when it comes to your skin is essential to be aware of, Rosen says.
Diet sodas, she explains, often don't have sugar, but can still contain "chemicals that are harmful to the body," and even cause premature wrinkling, along with inflammation. "Chemicals like phosphorus, potassium, and caffeine leach minerals from the bones and can damage the cells in the body," she adds.
Kung agrees, and points out that "glucose and fructose [found in soda] link the amino acids present in the collagen and elastin that support the dermis, producing advanced glycation end products or AGEs."
She notes that "glycation of amino acids make it difficult to repair collagen and elastin fibers, which contributes to faster wrinkling and a dehydrated complexion."
So, she would advise "against beverages that are high in sugars or made with high fructose corn syrup," such as sodas and other sweetened, fizzy beverages as they are "not healthy options" for "healthy aging skin."
While water is the optimal beverage for your skin's needs, kombucha or seltzer water can still provide you with carbonation if you desire, without as much sugar or chemicals.
2. Energy Drinks
The skin around your eyes is delicate, and as we age, it's normal to lose moisture in this area. Rather than hydrating this skin, energy drinks can dehydrate it, Mier warns. Drinking these often can cause a sunken look— and ultimately mean darker under-eyes and more fine lines.
These beverages "force the brain to stay alert," he says, which leads to poor sleep and puffy eyes, and "thin under-eye areas are prone to hyperpigmentation and itchiness."
Mier notes that caffeine often found in energy drinks inhibits the body's ability to remove fluid from tissues, and fluid builds up in tissues under the eyes— causing them to swell.
The caffeine also constricts the blood vessels in that area, he says, which increases blood flow and even more swelling. While some people may not be affected by caffeine, experts say, others are particularly sensitive to it.
Like sodas, energy drinks have a diuretic (water-losing) effect, he stresses, making them a less-than-ideal drink of choice, even if you need a boost of caffeine. Thankfully, there are healthier choices that can help you not only stay awake, but keep your complexion looking radiant.
3. Processed Bottled Coffees
Many of us need coffee to start our day, but the worst kind you can choose for your skin is a processed, bottled type with loads of sugar. When you make coffee yourself at home, you can choose to sweeten it with a natural, healthy sweetener like monk fruit, or add a splash of a non-fat creamer, for example. Conversely, bottled coffees or lattes often have additives that dehydrate your skin, and as we've learned, this can mean faster wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots.
These kinds of coffees are "full of toxins that can leave the skin dry and dehydrated, especially when consumed excessively," Qazi says. "The caffeine in coffee may bring the rush you want to get through your day, however, [this kind] can rob your skin of the elasticity your desire and reduce your skin's natural glow," he adds.
Hunnes agrees, explaining that many processed coffee drinks have "added sugars, sweeteners, and fats in them." Think creams, syrups, flavorings, and colorings "such as caramel coloring in a bottled frappuccino, for example," she says.
To avoid this, Hunnes and Qazi recommend giving black coffee a shot (no pun intended), as it will still give you a much-needed boost of energy, tastes like a stronger version of your favorite coffee beverage and remains a low-calorie option.
Ultimately, our experts conclude that avoiding sugars and added chemicals whenever possible (and taking note of how much of this you consume on a daily basis) can help your skin look brighter, more hydrated and youthful.
That is, if you also drink enough water, eat a balanced diet and use skincare products recommended by your dermatologist, as well!
