The Processed Foods That May Be Aging Your Skin Faster
At Fresh Face Skin, we believe in nurturing your skin from the inside out. While we all love the convenience (and sometimes the taste) of processed foods, some of them may be doing more harm than good—especially as we age. If you’re noticing changes to your skin like fine lines, wrinkles, or a lack of elasticity, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s on your plate, remembering that our skin will always reflect what goes on internally.
Two common culprits? Full-fat butter/margarine and white bread. Here’s why these foods might be working against your radiant skin goals—and what you can do instead.
Full-Fat Butter & Margarine
Ingredients like margarine are often loaded with trans fats, which can have a significant impact on your skin’s health and appearance. These fats can make your skin more vulnerable to UV damage, accelerating the breakdown of collagen and elastin—two key players that keep your skin firm and youthful.
And while dairy-based products like butter are rich in vitamin D and calcium (great for overall health), consuming too much can lead to excess oil production, clogged pores, and even more pronounced wrinkles. The truth is, oily skin isn’t necessarily hydrated skin.
If you want to maintain smooth, glowing skin, it’s important to maintain balance when consuming dairy-based products or consider swapping butter or margarine for healthier alternatives like avocado or olive oil. These natural fats nourish your skin without the inflammatory side effects.
White Bread
Many would agree that bread is a comfort food. It’s dense and fills us up, but highly refined carbohydrates—like those found in white bread—can wreak havoc on your skin. These quick-digesting carbs cause sudden insulin spikes, which trigger your body to release androgens. As a result, our skin’s oil production increases, leading to oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts.
Over time, the inflammation caused by processed carbs can break down collagen, leading to sagging skin and premature fine lines and wrinkles.
Instead of reaching for white bread, opt for whole-grain or nutrient-rich alternatives, that will still fill you up, like sweet potatoes, quinoa, or brown rice.
Your skin will thank you, and you’ll find you have more consistent energy.
Small Changes, Big Results
When it comes to mindful skincare, balance is everything.
There’s no need to completely cut out your favorite foods—but being aware of their effects allows you to make better choices for your skin and overall well-being. Here are some quick tips to get you started:
- Season smart. Skip excess salt and processed seasonings—try fresh lemon juice, black pepper, or herbs for flavor without causing bloating.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Aim for at least 8-10 glasses or 1.5-2 litres of water a day to support natural skin elasticity and keep that radiant glow.
- Swap for natural, nutrient-dense alternatives. Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, and olive oil can nourish your skin, while whole foods will prevent insulin spikes that can lead to overall skin congestion.
The Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods and Skin Health
At Fresh Face Skin, we believe that mindful choices—whether it’s skincare or nutrition—can empower you to achieve healthier, more radiant skin long-term.
Recent research has brought to light yet another reason to pay attention to what we eat: ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may have a connection to psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition that impacts many individuals’ confidence and skin health.
What This Study Found
A French study involving over 18,000 people revealed that individuals consuming the highest amounts of UPFs had a 36% higher risk of psoriasis—an inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, scaly patches of skin, often appearing on the face, scalp, or body.
While the results don’t prove that UPFs directly cause psoriasis, they raise important questions about how diet might impact internal inflammation—a known trigger for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?
UPFs are convenient and often hard to avoid in modern diets. They include:
- Ready-made meals
- Sugary snacks and ice cream
- Sodas and energy drinks
- Packaged sauces like tomato sauce
While these foods might satisfy cravings, they are often stripped of nutrients and loaded with additives, leaving little benefit for your skin or overall health.
The Inflammation Connection
Chronic inflammation doesn’t just impact your skin—it can affect your entire body. From heart disease to poor gut health, the effects of ultra-processed foods are wide-reaching. For those experiencing skin concerns like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and acne, reducing inflammation may be a game-changer.
Small Changes Make a Big Impact
It’s important to remember that no one is perfect—and that’s okay. Instead of focusing on what to avoid, I encourage you to make simple, empowering swaps that provide more internal support to your skin and your body:
- Embrace whole foods: Fresh fruits, vegetables, good fats, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins nourish your body and can help fight inflammation.
- Hydrate mindfully: Water supports your skin’s natural healing process. Being consistent with your water intake will help keep your skin plump and healthy.
- Listen to your skin: Keeping a food diary will help you track certain foods that may be triggering flare-ups. If you notice a skin reaction, review what you ate over the past day or two to identify possible contributors.
The Power of Simplicity
At Fresh Face Skin, we’re big believers in simplicity. Just as our products are simple to use and crafted with natural, skin-loving ingredients, your diet doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
Small, mindful, and consistent changes can nurture both your skin and your confidence.
The relationship between your skin health and diet is strong. Your skin’s job is to show you what may be going on internally. By choosing foods and products that nourish your body, you’re taking powerful steps towards healthy, radiant skin.
Your Skin, Your Journey
Your skin is as unique as you are, and caring for it goes beyond external products alone. Whether you’re managing an inflammatory skin condition or simply looking to feel more comfortable in your skin, know that we’re here to support you—every step of the way.
I hope this blog gave you some extra support and guidance.
Much love,
