When you’re dealing with aging skin, you can’t just rely on skincare products alone. Don’t get us wrong: your sunblocks, moisturizers, and serums are all great investments. If used properly, we’re pretty sure they can work wonders. However, realistically speaking, those aren’t the only things that affect your complexion. Your diet definitely plays a part in your skin’s health, too.
If you want your skin to age gracefully, it helps to reevaluate your diet. The sad reality is that not everything you consume is actually good for you. Due to the lack of nutritional value, there are some foods and beverages that make aging even worse. It’s best to be aware of what these are and avoid them as much as possible.
To find out which drinks women, especially over 40, should steer away from for better skin, we spoke with dermatologists, nutritionists, and beauty experts. Keep reading for tips from Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life, Ksenia Sobchak, dermatologist and cosmetologist at Loxa Beauty, Morgyn Clair of Sprint Kitchen, and more.
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Soda
As you may already know, soda is usually loaded with sugar and chemicals that can be bad for your body. Not only does it promote weight gain, but it also leads to negative effects on your skin. According to Dr. Rosen, "Chemicals like phosphorus, potassium, and caffeine leach minerals from the bones and can damage the cells in the body. The sugar in soda is one of the leading causes of diabetes, which can also lead to premature aging."
Drinking soda with lots of sugar may also result in inflammation and acne. Rosen warns that because of its caffeine content, soda can "dehydrate you, which can further damage your skin" and "make it more susceptible to wrinkles."
In addition to this, Sobchak notes, "Most sodas are packed with advanced glycation end products that negatively interact with essential nutrients such as lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. The ages destroy these nutrients making the skin vulnerable to infections and heightening the aging process."
Alcohol
You might want to think twice about chugging that next bottle of beer or sipping on that second glass of wine. Best-selling author and Global Health Ambassador Dr. Fabiana says, "Alcohol unfortunately accelerates skin aging, wrinkles, puffiness, dryness, red cheeks, and purple capillaries. Excessive drinking can add years to your face and dehydrate the entire body. You will lose the skin's healthy glow and natural luminosity."
Jay Cowin, nutritionist for ASYSTEM, notes, "Dehydration can lead to several skin problems, including dry skin, wrinkles, and acne. Additionally, alcohol is a known toxin that can damage the skin over time. It's important to limit your intake to protect your skin and keep it from aging faster."
Similarly, Clair agrees and shares that due to the lack of moisture in your skin caused by such liquor, your fine lines and wrinkles become more evident. Instead of making sure they’re concealed, what happens is they end up becoming more obvious.
Coffee With Lots Of Sugar
Have you ever considered drinking black coffee? If you're over the age of 40 and are used to milky, sweet, and creamy cups of joe, now might just be the best time to switch things up a bit. Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, founder of Nutritional Skincare and owner of janegee, clarifies that "consuming one cup a day can confer health benefits, but drinking more than that will cause skin dryness." The culprit lies within the added sugar. She explains, "Excess refined sugar consumption causes intrinsic damage to collagen and elastin proteins in the skin by the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). This reduces the integrity and elasticity of skin, making it prone to dehydration and wrinkling."
So, what exactly is a good alternative to all these beverages? The answer is plain and simple: water. It's a drink that is "essential for keeping the skin hydrated and helps to flush out toxins," Cowin mentions. Besides, not only does water enhance your skincare efforts, but it also has benefits to your overall health. Drinking enough water can help ease digestion, prevent constipation, and control your body temperature. It's a win-win overall!
