Most of us blame genetics or skincare products, but the secret is actually in your diet. Yes, there’s a powerful connection between what you eat and the oil that your skin produces. With that, certain foods cause hormonal shifts and inflammatory responses that overdrive your sebaceous glands. Here are the 8 foods to blame for making your skin oily.
8. Milk and Dairy Products
That glass of milk might be the cause of your shiny forehead. Well, the issue isn’t in its fat content, but rather the hormones and growth factors present in the milk. Cow’s milk is filled with androgens and insulin-like growth factor, or IGF-1. Additionally, any type of dairy, such as yogurt, milk, and cheese, is linked to acne due to excess sebum. If you’re struggling with oily skin, consider switching to plant-based alternatives.
7. Refined Carbohydrates
That harmless white bread for toast may be causing your oily skin. They’re refined carbohydrates that have been stripped of their fiber and nutrients and have a high glycemic index. Basically, when they’re digested, they cause a spike in your blood sugar and insulin levels. This is responsible for your hormonal responses, like an increase in androgens and IGF-1. With that, it stimulates your sebaceous glands for more sebum.
6. Whey Protein Supplements
While your protein shakes fuel your muscle growth, they may be behind your oily skin. Whey protein stimulates insulin and IGF-1. This signals the hormonal glands to produce more sebum, which can lead to clogged pores and an oily sheen. Even if you’re not a bodybuilder, you’re unknowingly consuming whey protein in meal replacement bars or other processed foods.
5. Sugary Foods and Beverages
Your sweet tooth is causing you that oily skin. Sugary foods and drinks are the culprit as they send your blood sugar level on a rollercoaster. It triggers the release of insulin, which stimulates your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Even fruit juices and sports drinks can still be filled with sugar, which contributes to the oily cycle.
4. Fried Foods
It’s a misconception that the oil you eat shows up on your face. Fried foods, especially those tossed in vegetable oils like corn or soybean, are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation in the body and skin. With that, it triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Many fried foods are also high in glycemic load, such as French fries or battered chicken, which can cause an increase in sebum due to an insulin spike.
3. Fast Foods
Fast food is more than just calories, as it also contributes to your oiliness. Firstly, there’s the refined flour from pizza crust and burger buns, which has a high glycemic load and spikes insulin. There’s also the cheese and processed meat, which are often filled with dairy hormones and saturated fats. Overall, a fast food meal is high in sodium, which can dehydrate your skin and cause it to produce more oil.
2. Red Meat
Yup, that juicy steak is contributing to your oily complexion. We’re talking about red meats like beef and lamb, which are high in saturated fats. The inflammation that it causes leads your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which manifests in clogged pores and a greasy appearance. Red meat also contains arachidonic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid that promotes pro-inflammatory compounds. Opt for fish and poultry since they’re lower in saturated fat and higher in anti-inflammatory omega-3s.
1. Salty Snacks
That bag of potato chips may be the number one culprit behind your oily skin. We often associate greasy foods, but we forget to point out the salty snacks with high sodium content. Every time you consume excess salt, your body tries to flush it out, which would then lead to dehydration. With that, your skin’s sebaceous glands produce more to compensate for the lack of moisture.
