You could be buying every beauty product off the shelf to get a clean, clear and oil-free skin but there’s no way you are going to achieve this if you don’t control your eating habits. Many of us don’t realize that it is not what we put on our face that matters alone, it is also what we put ‘on our plate that plays an important role in the way we look and feel.
Foods To Avoid For Oily Skin
These are literally the worst foods for oily skin as they increase the oil production in the skin. Avoid them as much as possible.
1. Dairy Products
They may be a huge part of your diet, but they have a negative impact on your skin, especially if it is oily. They have high levels of hormones (such as testosterone) that stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin, making it oily and greasy.
2. Caffeine
Coffee and tea can dehydrate your body. This may lead to excess oil production, causing acne and pimples.
3. Refined Carbohydrates
Refined cereals like white pasta, white flour (maida), junk food, and processed juices can harm your skin as they spike your blood sugar levels, sending oil production into overdrive.
4. Inflammatory Fats (Saturated Fats and Trans Fats)
This one is a no-brainer. If you have oily skin, avoid fatty foods. Consuming a lot of saturated fats can increase inflammation in the skin, which can lead to excess oil production. Avoid red meats such as lamb, sausages, beef, and bacon, as well as pizza, butter, cream, cheese, cakes, and pastries.
Trans fats are also very harmful to your skin. They are formed when oil goes through a hardening process called hydrogenation (also known as hydrogenated fats). Trans fats can be found in most processed foods. So, check the labels before you buy them.
5. Added Sugars
Consuming sugar causes a spike in your blood sugar levels. This leads to the production of more insulin, which, in turn, causes the glands to produce more oil. This leads to oily skin and acne. Avoid cakes, cookies, jams, pastries, and sweets, as well as cereals, cereal bars, crackers, and fizzy drinks. Consume natural sugars, which are present in fruits and vegetables, in moderation.
6. Salty Snacks
Excess salt can lead to water retention and inflammation. It can also cause an increase in the oil levels of the skin as it tries to combat the dehydration caused due to salt. Avoid pickles, salted nuts, crisps, sauces, salad dressings, store-bought soups, cured meats and bacon, chips, and crackers.
7. Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the body, which makes the skin produce more oil to compensate for it. This often leads to acne and breakouts.
8. Fatty Meats
Meat contains very high amounts of sodium, which leads to water retention. This causes inflammation and greasiness, resulting in the extremely oily skin.
9. Spicy Foods
Spicy foods cannot be digested very easily, and consuming excess spices can create toxins in the body. Chilis can create a lot of heat in the body, which can make the skin oily, causing a lot of pimples – especially if you are prone to getting them. If you have oily skin, consume more soups and salads.
