We never stop battling with our skin. Just as it seems we've finally conquered acne, it's already time to fight fine lines and wrinkles. And all the while we're navigating SPF and vitamin D -- skin care is certainly tricker than those face wash commercials would have us believe.
Try as we might to find the perfect product for our own unique combination of problematic skin, it turns out we may want to approach skin care from the inside out.
"Every dermatologist will attest that a well-rounded diet will better support a healthy immune system," says Dr. Bobby Buka, a dermatologist in practice in New York City, "and will therefore result in fewer dermatologic conditions of all types."
Yes, what you eat -- and drink -- can keep your exterior in excellent condition. There are foods to keep skin hydrated and soft and foods that protect skin cells from damage (i.e. wrinkles). And there are even foods that might hurt our skin.
However, they may not be the ones you're thinking. "We've all heard of the allegedly 'forbidden' foods that supposedly trigger acne breakouts, such as fried foods, fatty foods, caffeine, nuts, chocolate and even red meat," says Dr. Neal B. Schultz, a dermatologist also in practice in New York City. "The reality is that in well-controlled statistical studies, these foods do not cause acne breakouts."
However, there are still a few culprits to watch out for. In the slideshow below, you'll find the foods the experts suggest to steer clear of. Let us know in the comments if you notice changes to your skin after eating these or other foods.