How holiday carbs can wreak havoc on your skin and how to fight them

Ointments, serums and elixirs are great, don’t get us wrong. But if you want clear and glowing skin, what do you do? in the Your body can be just as important as the products you wear On This. It turns out that a diet high in processed foods—especially refined carbohydrates like sugary holiday drinks, salty snacks, and packaged pastries—can wreak havoc on your skin.

All of these foods are known to have a high glycemic index, meaning they raise your blood sugar quickly. Conformable Association of the American Academy of Dermatologystudies have proven it a high glycemic index diet can cause more pimples. Dr. Courtney Rubin, a dermatologist and the co-founder and medical director of figure 1explained why: “These foods can have a pro-inflammatory effect on the body, leading to breakouts in inflammatory skin conditions such as acne.”

“People who consume higher amounts of refined carbohydrates tend to have a higher incidence of acne,” he confirmed. Dr. Jamie DeRosa, a double board certified facial plastic surgeon. DeRosa explained that foods with a high glycemic index cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin release, causing the body to produce more oil in the skin. “That overproduction of what’s known as sebum can clog pores and cause breakouts,” she said.

Refined carbohydrates as the culprit for skin problems is a link that is still being explored. “Eating sugar, for example, has been shown and reported in the scientific literature to trigger acne and skin inflammation.” SAPS Dr. Rebecca Markcertified dermatologist and founder of Never MD.

Then there’s the matter of your favorite drink. “Excessive alcohol consumption, and beer in particular, will dehydrate the skin, and low fluid content will accelerate the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines,” DeRosa said.

Research continues to find new links between diet and skin health. “Eat these refined carbohydrates It can also damage the skin by increasing the production of advanced glycation end products, known as AGEs,” said Marcus. “There is Research indicating that AGEs form when glucose or fructose make collagen and elastin unable to repair themselves easily. This process is accelerated when blood sugar is elevated, which happens when you eat highly processed foods.

What you feed your body shows in your skin, so the more you can focus on nourishing and hydrating, the better off you’ll be. “Dermatologists recommend a healthy, balanced diet not just for your skin, but for your overall health,” said Dr. Ramone F. Williams, Mohs surgeon, dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, and faculty member at Harvard Medical School. “If you notice breakouts after eating certain foods, keep a food diary and discuss the results with your dermatologist.”

As always, moderation is key. “Sometimes people think that cutting out carbs completely will improve their skin,” said dermatologist Dr. Nicole Negbenebor. “This may be the case for some patients, but there are other conditions that can be aggravated by a lack of carbohydrates, such as a condition called ketogenic diet-induced prurigo pigmentosa, or ketone rash, which can develop when patients initially start cutting back . .carbohydrates in their diet. Most people need a healthy balance of minimally processed carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables to look their best.

“Having a well-balanced diet does wonders for your skin,” said Jennifer Weiss, MD, Marmur Medical. “Staying hydrated by sipping water throughout the day will hydrate you from the inside out and make your skin plumper and healthier. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are full of vitamins C, E, and A, all of which fight free radicals to balance our skin’s microbiome. Low-glycemic foods like fruit, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats will help your skin glow, reduce any inflammation and prevent acne.

If you have a big event coming up and your skin has already started breaking out, there are a few things you can do. First, see if your dermatologist can squeeze you (before you start squeezing those plugs yourself). “They may be able to inject the acne with a drug that can reduce it quickly,” said dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. “A quick and easy injection of cortisone into an acne cyst can quickly reduce inflammation and help the spots shrink within 24 to 48 hours,” Weiss added.

Don’t have time for an office visit? Sure, it’s a good idea to switch to a low-carb, high-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory diet well before a big social event, DeRosa said, but if that’s not an option, she suggested an option on short term, such as an oxygenating facial treatment.

Check your medicine cabinet to see if you have emergency supplies on hand. “You can also try using an acne stick or patch, which helps draw moisture out of the pimple to make it smaller,” Camp said. “Or using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on the affected area can help reduce inflammation and reduce redness and swelling.”

“Some short-term things you can do before a big event can include getting more sleep, increasing your water intake, exercising and using a hyaluronic acid product,” Negbenebor said.. “A mask can provide a temporary plump look or extra hydration for a few hours.