Why Diet Matters For Your Skin Health (And 5 Key Foods to Avoid!)
Have you ever tried to follow a meticulous skincare routine, only to find that all your good work is quickly undone after a few days of unhealthy eating? It’s not just you.
When it comes to glowing skin, what you eat is just as important as what you apply. Even the most blemish-free skin struggles to stand against a tirade of fatty, sugary food and drinks!
So why do so many videos online shun diet and nutrition to focus on cleansing, toning, brightening, hydrating or repairing the skin’s barrier? Because advising on a person’s diet is much harder than selling a new serum or moisturiser. Your diet has a direct impact on how your skin looks, feels, and ages – and the wrong foods can trigger everything from acne to premature aging. Not a fix you can sort with a cleanser!
Here at Aura Wellness, we tell you that beautiful skin starts from within – and that means what goes on your plate. Below we explain how nutrition shapes your skin, how to make sure you’re not accidentally eating the wrong things for your skin, and five major foods you should consider cutting back on.
Why Your Diet Matters for Skin Health
1. Inflammation Starts in the Gut
Do you often struggle with bloating and then notice your skin is playing up? When your gut’s unhappy, your skin often shows it. Diets high in sugar, processed ingredients, and poor-quality fats lead to inflammation that can surface as acne, eczema, or rosacea. A healthy gut microbiome supports clearer, calmer skin – and nutrition plays a huge role in that balance.
2. Collagen Depends on Nutrients
Collagen is your skin’s natural scaffolding, keeping it plump and firm. But your body needs key nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and amino acids to build it. If your diet is lacking, collagen production slows, making skin look dull, tired, and more prone to fine lines and sagging.
3. Sugar = Breakouts
High-sugar diets spike your insulin levels, which in turn increases oil production and inflammation – a perfect storm for breakouts. Reducing your intake of refined sugar can noticeably calm down acne and rebalance your skin over time.
4. Hydration Comes from Within
Dehydrated skin doesn’t always mean you need a new moisturiser – it might mean you need more water or healthy fats. Are you regularly drinking 2-3 litres of water a day? (And we don’t count coffee!) If not, up your intake. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like flaxseeds and salmon, also help strengthen the skin barrier and keep moisture locked in. If your skin feels tight or flaky, look at what’s on your plate.
5 Key Foods to Avoid for Healthier Skin
1. Refined Sugar
Cakes, sweets, and fizzy drinks are skin haters. Foods high in sugar fuel inflammation, damage collagen, and lead to insulin spikes – all of which can worsen acne, accelerate aging, and leave skin looking lacklustre. Try to limit your intake and follow recommended portion sizes. If you need a fizzy drink to get you through the day, consider a flavoured carbonated water instead!
2. Dairy
Sensitive to lactose? Your skin probably is too. Milk and cheese may be comforting, but for many people, they trigger breakouts. This is often due to the hormones and bioactive molecules in dairy, which can disrupt your body’s own hormonal balance and inflame the skin.
3. White Bread & Pasta
That big bowl of pasta for dinner might not feel too unhealthy, but it isn’t your skin’s best friend. These refined carbs break down into sugar quickly, spiking blood sugar and insulin. Over time, they can lead to increased oil production, blocked pores, and even glycation – a process that damages collagen and elastin.
4. Fried Foods
Loaded with trans fats and cooked in poor-quality oils, fried foods increase free radical damage in your body. This oxidative stress can break down skin cells and worsen inflammatory skin conditions like acne or psoriasis.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol is a double whammy for your skin: it dehydrates you and disrupts your sleep. This combo reduces skin repair, weakens the skin barrier, and can leave you with puffy eyes, dull skin, and increased redness over time. Not worth it for that glass of wine.
Want Clearer Skin? Let’s Talk.
At Aura Wellness London, we offer personalised nutrition plans and advanced skin treatments to support your skin from the inside out. Whether you're dealing with acne, pigmentation, or just want to tackle dryness or aging, our Hounslow clinic is here to help you glow – naturally.
Book your consultation today at or pop into our Hounslow clinic.
