1. Salty Potato Chips
Keeping skin well hydrated is essential for a smooth, youthful complexion, but potato chips work against that goal. Because they’re loaded with salt, they can strip moisture from the skin rather than support hydration. Consuming them frequently or in large amounts may contribute to dryness, cracking, peeling, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
"Due to osmotic pressure, salt draws water out of cells, including skin cells, leading to dry skin," Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, founder of RenewMD and skin by Dr. Simran Sethi explains. "Potato chips are notoriously high in salt and also contain a sizable amount of sugar," she adds.
When there is an excess of salt and glucose in the body, Sethi continues, it cross-links with collagen and elastin, "proteins that give our skin its firmness and elasticity." Elevated sugar and salt intake "hardens skin proteins, making your skin weaker, thinner and less hydrated," Sethi warns.
2. Full-Fat Butter & Margarine
Scientific research shows that foods "do in fact" affect our skin's oil production, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elaine F. Kung says. "Dairy, milk products and whey protein" in particular, she notes, "increase IGF-1, which will cause oilier skin."
While consuming enough vitamin D and calcium every day is essential for your overall health, skincare expert Dr. Adrienne O’Connell, Medical Director and President of Laguna Beach Aesthetics warns that excessive dairy can cause an even oilier and greasy-looking complexion. (And this does not mean hydrated skin, by the way, just more oil that can later clog pores and cause acne!) Robyn Newmark, skincare expert and founder and CEO of Newmark Beauty concurs, and says that "margarine is one food you should avoid if you want to prevent wrinkles and dry skin."
Margarine, she notes, is "frequently made with partially hydrogenated oils, one of the most prevalent trans fats." While trans fats "contribute to heart disease," she also warns that they may also accelerate the skin's aging process.
"Trans-fatty acids make the skin more susceptible to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause damage to the elastin and collagen in the skin," she goes on. Additionally, she says that "margarine can cause chronic inflammation, speeding up the formation of wrinkles."
3. White Bread
Refined carbohydrates are hidden in countless processed foods, making it easy to consume far more than you realize. According to Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, board-certified physician, cosmetic dermatology surgeon, and owner of Qazi Cosmetic Clinic, regularly eating these foods can “stimulate sebum production,” which can throw the skin’s balance out of sync.
Sebum is the "oily, waxy substance your skin naturally produces to moisturize and protect your skin," he notes. Too much sebum can "cause the skin to look oily, make your pores look more prominent, and even trap dead skin inside your pores, leading to acne and blackheads," he adds.
Highly refined carbohydrates, like those found in pastries and white bread, are "too easy for our bodies to digest, creating a chain reaction like dominos," Qazi says.
When refined carbs are digested, "they cause significant insulin spikes." He says that the spikes cause our bodies to release androgens and produce more oily skin and wrinkles.
4. Fried Foods
Similarly, inflamed, red skin, puffiness in your complexion and premature wrinkles can also be formed due to eating fried foods often. "The damaged skin proteins result in increased and premature wrinkles, sagging and discoloration of the skin," Dr. Simran Sethi stresses. Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, MD, dermatologist and writer at My Eczema Team agrees, and points out that "excess salt can be found in many popular potato chip and fried products."
Salt causes the body to "retain water and this leads to a swollen appearance," she concurs. Also, the cells "shrink and lead to dehydration," she continues. "A lack of water leaves the skin with wrinkles" and as a result, this accelerates aging. "Not only can greasy foods like potato chips cause wrinkles," Factor says, but they also "may be the culprit behind acne breakouts, too."