11 Surprising Foods & Beverages That Experts Warn Can Actually Accelerate Aging, Cause Wrinkles, Inflammation, And More: Fast Food & More

Your skincare routine is perfect and you even found a dermatologist you love. You’re doing everything right by your skin and feel it should reward you with smoothness and a radiant glow. Fair enough — but make sure you’re also taking care of an often looked over detail when it comes to youthful-looking skin : a healthy, balanced diet.

We know, we know. “You are what you eat” is the most obvious piece of advice that you’re probably tired of hearing. But if you do just one more thing for your skin, after you’ve started using sunscreen and incorporated retinol into your nightly routine, consider avoiding these 11 foods that can cause inflammation and wrinkles.

Bacon

Bacon and other processed meats contain nitrates and loads of sodium that cause inflammation and can dry out your skin. If you want to enjoy salty meats, do it just a few times a month, if possible.

Candy

Got a sweet tooth? We don’t blame you. But excess sugar in foods like candy spike your blood sugar and affect collagen growth. Since collagen is responsible for keeping your skin supple and strong, this is one food to eat in moderation.

Cereal

Not long ago, breakfast cereals were promoted as a healthy morning meal to get your energy up. The problem is that many of them are loaded with more sugar than pastries and doughnuts. Read labels carefully and consider swapping cereal for oatmeal.

Soda

Soda is loaded — LOADED — with sugar. And diet sodas, which contain sugar substitutes aren’t much better.

Fast Food

We understand the allure of paying a few dollars for an entire meal that you don’t have to cook. But be careful: lots of fast-food burgers and fries contain nitrates, a lot of sodium, and an abundance of sugar.

French Fries

Speaking of fast food, French fries (as delish as they are) are often deep fried in trans fats that are bad news for your health and taxing on your collagen and elastin.

Cocktails

Going out to celebrate with a few cocktails with friends is one of the joys some of us look forward to in life. Drinking alcohol in moderation isn’t just a good idea for your health, but it also helps your skin barrier maintain moisture and avoid all of the sugar that’s present in so many alcoholic beverages.

Dairy

For some of us, dairy can contribute to inflammation and skin issues, including adult acne. If you find your skin reacting more after you’ve eaten cheese or ice-cream, experiment with removing dairy from your diet to see if it makes a difference.

Microwave Popcorn

Some tout microwave popcorn as better for you than something sugary, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Popcorn can contain high amounts of sugar, salt, and even chemicals and hydrogenated fats that can trigger inflammation.

Coffee

Say it ain’t so — okay, we won’t. You don’t have to give up coffee for the sake of better skin, but limiting how much caffeine you take in can certainly help you retain moisture.

Red Meat

Put red meat in your “in moderation” category if you’re concerned about inflammation. Although it contains a number of good-for-you vitamins, minerals, and proteins, it can also trigger inflammation. Swapping it on occasion with lean meats and plant-based protein is a smart move.