While many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beverages such as water and wheatgrass juice contribute to beautiful, youthful-looking skin, others have the opposite effect. No matter your age, it’s an excellent idea to avoid as many wrinkle-causing foods as possible and stick to a colorful, antioxidant-rich diet that keeps skin looking supple. Let’s take a look at some of the worst foods and drinks for skin (and overall) health courtesy of your favorite Beverly Hills dermatologists:

Cakes, Ice Cream, Candies

Any food containing an abundance of white sugar spells doom for skin, whether it be cakes, candies, ice cream, or other sweet treats. Sugar makes skin appear dull and wrinkled, as it attaches to and therefore damages elastin and collagen fibers. Both are responsible for keeping skin full and supple, and the more sugar you consume, the more collagen and elastin is destroyed. Skin looks stiff and inflexible as a result.

Refined sugar is what you need to avoid as often as possible. Stick to naturally-occurring sugars instead, such as those found in fruits and veggies.

Trans Fats

The worst of the “bad fats,” trans fat is found in French fries, mozzarella sticks, cheeseburgers, and other grilled/fried foods. As with sugar, trans fat makes skin appear inflexible. They clog arteries and blood vessels, resulting in flesh that looks older than it should.

Coffee and Soda

Coffee, soda, and other caffeinated beverages dehydrate the body, resulting in parched, dry, old-looking skin. Drink water whenever possible, a natural energy booster that keeps skin cells hydrated and therefore plump.

Carbohydrates

Too many carbohydrates, such as those found in butter and potatoes, damage collagen and elastin fibers, again making skin appear dull and old.

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol is another route to prematurely-aged skin. The liver metabolizes alcohol and subsequently creates toxic chemicals that inflame and damage skin cells. Go for one glass of red wine a day or every few days to enjoy the liquid’s benefits.

For more on anti-aging skincare, please contact your favorite dermatologists in Beverly Hills via The Kopelson Clinic.