9 Foods That Are Bad For Your Skin Slideshow

Agave

Agave is one of the trendiest sugar alternatives on the market, but apparently, the two are not so different. Agave is composed of more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup, which not only puts a strain on your liver, but also breaks down collagen faster than glucose and other sugars. 

Candy

Again, sugar is to blame. The empty calories do no favors for your waistline, and the sugar also contributes to acne breakouts. Eating sugar raises your insulin levels, leading to inflammation and enzyme production that damages the collagen and elastin in your skin.   

Coffee

The ritual of morning coffee is difficult to disrupt, but the caffeinated liquid may be hurting your skin. The ingestion of caffeine leads to a "pituitary adrenocortical response," which raises the level of the hormone cortisol. Excess cortisol has been found to thin the skin, which can cause wrinkles and dullness. That said, a 2015 Yale School of Public Health study showed that increased consumption of coffee could help stave off some types of skin cancers.

Milk

When it comes to your skin,  milk is only good for mustaches. Milk from conventionally raised dairy cows can contain additional growth hormones that remain active post-pasteurization. Studies link these hormones to oily skin and inflammation. Organic milk is a safer alternative because the cows are raised without growth hormones. 

Gluten-Packed Baked Goods

Oh, gluten, the bad news just keeps rolling in (no pun intended). For a gluten-sensitive individual, a reaction can lead to inflammation in the body, which can take a toll on your skin. 

Hot Dogs

The hot dog, with its "diverse" selection of meat inputs, can be a source of stress for your skin. It's not the meat itself, but the hormones that the animals were fed prior to slaughter. The different growth hormones and sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics can knock our own hormonal balance off its equilibrium. 

Margarine

Fats might be necessary for preserving your glow, but margarine can be left out. This butter-pretender is loaded with trans-fats that contribute to dehydration and excess wrinkles. 

Rice Cakes

Spiked blood sugar can cause wrinkles to form, and despite their reputation as a healthy snack, rice cakes have a fairly high glycemic index (a measure of how food affects blood sugar)  The simple carbohydrates in these cakes are broken down and attach themselves to anti-wrinkle proteins such as collagen.

Vitamin A Supplements

Taking vitamin supplements is not dangerous as long as it is done in moderation. Taking too much vitamin A can lead to dehydration of the skin.