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3 Foods to Avoid For Your Skin During The Holidays

Some foods are just better for our health than others – here are 3 foods to avoid when it comes to your skin and your overall wellness during the holidays this year. While the relationship between flawless, glowing skin and diet isn’t yet crystal clear, there is some evidence linking specific foods to skin flare-ups and other nutrient-rich foods to skin benefits. Learn more in this post. SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET What Food Should Be Avoided For Skin? (Sugary Treats!) Beautifully decorated cookies, holiday chocolates & decadent macarons are in abundance at this time of year. Though they may taste good going down, over consumption can lead to glycation, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can induce free radical damage and cause deterioration of the skin. The end-result? A loss of elasticity and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Sugar has become one of the most vilified foods for its negative impact on overall wellness, including our skin’s appearance. We’re not saying never, but try to limit your servings when possible. Or, indulge a sweet tooth with a small amount of fresh fruit or dark chocolate. 2 More Foods to Avoid: Alcohol & Salty Foods Alcohol and salty foods cause dehydration, which can leave skin looking pasty, puffy and more visibly wrinkled. Boozy holiday cocktails often contain a lot of sugar (see above), which can exacerbate the signs of skin aging. These are two foods to avoid when it comes to your skin; moderation is key. Reach for the water, a mocktail or a spritzer when it comes to beverages and load up on crudites instead of the chips. These choices will help to ensure you stay hydrated while nourishing your body with essential vitamins and minerals. What Foods Make Your Skin Better? It’s well known that certain nutrients are essential to good health. Minerals like magnesium and calcium; vitamins A, B, C and D; omega-3 fatty acids; lean protein; fibre; micronutrients…the list goes on. For healthy skin, the research isn’t so clear. But, given that it’s the body’s largest organ, it makes sense that what’s good for the body, is (in general) what’s good for the skin. A diet that keeps your inside healthy will help deliver glowing and beautiful skin as well. The occasional splurge isn’t going to ruin your complexion, but a consistently poor diet is bound to have implications. Several experts whose expertise straddles both nutrition and dermatology are here to tell you which foods may support smooth, healthy skin, and which foods are more likely to lead to rashes, blemishes, and breakouts. Try to Maintain Your Skin Care Routine Wherever Possible Work parties, family gatherings and extra social outings put temptation in front of you during the holidays and it’s only human nature to indulge. Have a sugar cookie, enjoy a glass of eggnog and try that new cheese your cousin bought just for you. It’s important to enjoy life too! While late nights and an over extended social calendar can disrupt routines, try to exercise, get enough sleep and choose healthy food options when you can for the health of both your skin and your body. When it comes to your skin, don’t neglect to cleanse your face before falling into bed. This will help to remove dirt and makeup that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Besides cleansing, if there are only two things you can remember to use, make it the serums in our Radiant Skin Set. It includes our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum (for morning) and our A is for Anti-Aging Serum (for night), which will help to protect against inflammation and free radical damage and deliver the glowing skin you want to show the world for the holidays! SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET Happy Holidays All!

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Sugar Face, Sugar Skin

Sugar Face (aka sugar skin) is a term that we are starting to hear more often. It’s become a trending topic as we begin to increasingly appreciate the detrimental effect that sugar has, not only on our health, but on our skin as well. Shop All Apothekari Does Sugar Ruin Your Face? You may think of sugar face as a topic discussed only amongst celebrities, but dermatologists and nutritionists are talking about it as well. Just how does sugar age us? A recent scientific review discusses how the consumption of sugar reacts with proteins, creating elements called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). First described in the context of diabetes, AGEs are formed through a type of non-enzymatic reaction called glycation. In the skin, these substances lead to: Wrinkled skin Sagging under the eyes A gaunt look to the face Thinning of the skin Painful pimples Hardened cell structures. Think of the way arteries harden to cause coronary heart disease. The process is similar in skin cells. Sugar can also weaken the body’s immune system, leaving it less able to fight off bacteria, which may be implicated in acne. Sugar face or sugar skin results in a detrimental impact on your appearance. But, the health risks of excessive sugar consumption can be great too. Along with an increased risk of things like type 2 diabetes, eating too much refined sugar creates inflammation in the body, which can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. When blood sugar levels drop, stress hormones are released resulting in anxiety and tension as common side effects. The immune system may also be impacted affecting thyroid function, energy levels and digestion. How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Sugar Face? If you’re trying to avoid sugar, you should be mindful of foods where sugar is more hidden. Fruit juice, fruit and ‘sugary’ vegetables like beets and carrots are also high in sugar. Pay attention to where a food falls on the glycemic index and seek out those that rank lower, which will help to slow down glycation. You don’t have to cut out fruit completely but think of it as a treat, opting for a diet that consists mainly of leafy green vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. Think you can never have cupcakes again? Take heart. Great skin is made up of a combination of factors including genetics, skin care, along with environmental and lifestyle factors. Sugar, an inflammatory food, ranks high on the list of things to avoid, but you should also be paying attention to protection from environmental toxins (like pollution and UV rays), managing stress and getting adequate sleep. Thankfully, it’s never too late for lifestyle changes. Sugar can speed up aging, but adopting healthier habits and a great skin care routine can start to slow this process – whatever your age. Sugar face? We’ve got you beaten! In previous posts, we’ve discussed the other three faces that the doctor describes: Gluten Face – Characterized by a range of symptoms including psoriasis, eczema, acne or dry skin. Wine Face – Typically associated with individuals who consume one or two glasses of wine or other alcohol most nights of the week, skin becomes dehydrated, making fine lines and wrinkles look worse. The face may become red and make the individual appear older. Dairy Face – Characterized by a range of symptoms including swollen eyelids, bags and under eye dark circles, small white spots and bumps on the chin.

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