In 2008 alone, Americans spent $35 billion on cosmetics and skincare[1] . But are all these dollars wasted when we follow a diet that causes acne, premature aging and other skin conditions? It sure seems so.


"A typical American diet is full of foods and beverages that are bad for your skin," Julie Upton, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Appetite for Health[2] , told us. With the help of Upton and Elizabeth M. Ward[3] , MS, RD, we've narrowed down the worst dietary mistakes we're making when it comes to our skin.


1. Packing In Simple Sugars


ice cream


"Nobody heads for a bag of carrots when they've had a bad day," Ward says. "They're going for the pint of premium ice cream in the freezer." But this choice might just make your bad day even worse if you take note of what's happening to your skin. Foods with added sugars spike your blood sugar and cause chronic inflammation in the body, which damages your collagen and elastin in a process known as glycation[4] . The digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin, and it happens each time you eat sugary foods like candy, ice cream, condiments and processed foods. Skin conditions like acne and rosacea can be exacerbated by glycation.


"This whole process is metabolically very damaging," Upton says, and she recommends satisfying your sweet tooth with antioxidant-rich natural sugars, like those found in fruits, to neutralize the inflammation caused by sugar and insulin spikes.


2. Eating Too Many Starchy, High-Glycemic Foods


pasta


"High-glycemic index diets are linked to premature aging of the skin," says Upton. Starches like white bread, pasta and white rice cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, which leads to inflammation in the body[5] . This process produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, giving you sagging skin and wrinkles. What's more, studies have shown that swapping high-glycemic foods for their low-glycemic counterparts, like whole grains and beans, can improve acne[6] , suggesting that high-glycemic foods actually spark breakouts[7] . So the next time you're craving a piece of bread, you may want to think about opting for whole grains, which are low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants.


3. Forgetting To Count Beverages


soda


"The number one source of added sugars in the US diet[8] is beverages," says Upton. Just like in food, sugar found in liquids can contribute to premature aging, acne and other inflammatory skin conditions, especially since sugar in beverages like juice and soda are absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly. Sodas might just be the biggest culprit, since many dark colas contain advanced glycation end products (AGEs)[9] , which give them their dark color and have been shown to speed up the process of skin aging[10] .


Excessive amounts of alcohol also wreak havoc on your skin[11] , since alcoholic beverages dehydrate your skin and therefore accelerate aging. Water in your cells is what keeps skin plump and dewy and reduces the look of lines and wrinkles. "If you're not drinking enough water during the day on a regular basis and then you're having a couple of glasses of wine every night, you're really hitting your skin up twice there," says Ward. Some people also get very flushed from drinking alcohol with sulfites, she adds. If you're concerned about the effects of dehydration on the skin, you may also want to avoid caffeinated beverages[12] , which constrict your blood vessels, reduce circulation and cause dehydration.


The bottom line: Both Ward and Upton recommend drinking plenty of water and eating a diet rich in fiber, protein and healthy fats, like those found in fish, to fend off aging and inflammatory skin conditions. And while the results of eating well may not manifest as quickly as a chemical peel or Botox, don't underestimate the power of nutrition. "A lot of beauty is how you feel about yourself," Upton says. "You don't exude confidence when you eat candy and soda all day. You just don't. "


Get into the groove:



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  • They Cleanse Gently, Once A Day


    Unless you have oily skin, you only need to wash your face in the evening, with a creamy cleanser and lukewarm water. Give the cleanser time to work. "Instead of scrubbing your face, let the cleanser sit on your skin for several seconds and break down the makeup, dirt, and oil," says Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD. In the morning, simply splash your face with lukewarm water. (If you're oily, use a gentle foaming cleanser morning and evening.)




  • They Reapply Sunscreen


    You know that the number-one way to <a href="http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/basicfacts.html">prevent skin aging</a> is to apply sunscreen, so of course you already use a morning moisturizer with an SPF of (at least) 30. What women with gorgeous skin also do: Reapply sunscreen every few hours. Sun-shielding ingredients are only effective for about two hours -- long enough to protect your skin on a morning walk or commute but not throughout the afternoon. New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, keeps Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder Brush SPF 30 ($50, <a href="http://www.colorescience.com/">Colorescience.com</a>) in her bag because it's easy to brush on over makeup (and on the back of her hands or décolletage) throughout the day.




  • They Use A Retinoid Cream Every Night


    "The first time I meet someone, I immediately know if she's using a retinoid because her skin is glowy and smooth," says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that have been <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10692106">proven to boost collagen</a>, which reduces fine lines, and to <a href="http://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/library/11_article_Structural_Changes_Associated_with_Aging_Skin.html">speed cell turnover</a>, which evens out discoloration. Retinoids are available over-the-counter (as retinol) or with a prescription (as tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene). Because retinoids can cause some irritation at first, Hirsch recommends applying a gentle moisturizer, letting it soak in for at least 30 minutes, then applying your retinoid cream.




  • They Eat Salmon And Consume Lots Of Antioxidants


    Salmon's <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-omega-3-health-benefits">high omega-3 content</a> helps hydrate skin from the inside out and reduce the inflammation that can cause skin redness, says Baumann. And antioxidant-rich foods and drinks -- blueberries, dark greens, green tea and coffee -- help fight free radicals that can damage the cellular structures of the skin, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/how-antioxidants-work1">accelerating skin aging</a>.




  • They Break A Sweat


    Raising your heart rate once a day makes your skin glow. Because exercise improves your circulation and oxygen capacity, it improves your complexion. "And we know that the skin has endorphin receptors, which may also explain why it is positively impacted by aerobic exercise," says Baumann.




  • They Sleep At Least 7 Hours A Night


    Cortisol, the stress hormone, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol">ages the skin</a> and can cause acne. <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/281209-what-reduces-cortisol-levels/">Sleep reduces the cortisol level</a> in your body. So it's a simple equation: Sleep = younger, clearer skin.





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