The Best (And Worst) Holiday Foods For Your Skin

For many people the holiday season means family, good times, and of course, good food. Whether at a family get together or company holiday party you’re sure to be surrounded by delicious holiday treats. Did you know that some poor food choices can wreak havoc on your skin well after the holiday season?

Here are the best holiday foods for good skin health, along with some items you should try to steer clear of:

Good Holiday Foods

Cranberries

Cranberries are a healthy and delicious complement to a nice Thanksgiving turkey. By using fresh, whole cranberries in your holiday cooking your skin will benefit from their high level of antioxidants, which have anti-aging properties and can help with winter-related damage.

Pumpkin

Full of skin-healthy vitamins and nutrients, pumpkin is a great food for skin. Pumpkin pie is by far one of the most popular holiday deserts to consume, and while it unfortunately is high in sugar, it also contains zinc and other skin boosting elements. Just one word of advice: to get the full nutritional benefit, be sure that the pumpkin used in your holiday treat is ‘real pumpkin’ and not processed filling.

Sage

This savory herb is not only a great seasoning for meats and stuffing, it has also been known to improve circulation and overall skin health. In fact, cutting down on salt and sugar by instead using herbs and spices like sage is an easy way to increase the overall healthiness of any dish you create.

Bad Holiday Foods

Alcohol

We’ve previously covered the negative effects of alcohol on the skin in this blog post. However, over-consuming alcohol is so detrimental to the skin that we had to include it on this list. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine or two, try not to go overboard at your next soiree.

Candy / Cookies

These treats are most always high in refined sugar and white flour, both of which can damage collagen and elastin in the skin. Additionally, excess sugar consumption can trigger acne breakouts and result in dull-appearing skin.

Eggnog

Full fat egg nog is incredibly high in calories, cholesterol, sugar, and saturated fat. Obviously not the best holiday drink for your waistline, but did you also know it can negatively affect the skin? Many people who consume too much dairy tend to experience increases in oil production, resulting in more severe ace breakouts.

Salty Foods

Eating lots of salty foods leads to excess fluid retention in the skin, creating a “puffy look”. Look for foods that are lower in sodium and refrain from adding additional salt while at the table.

A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.