Spending more time at home with a diminishing social life has led many of us to reach for those foods that are oh so comforting. Refined carbs, tempting sweets and salty snacks may fill up some of your cabinets leading to a dull complexion and a playground for possible breakouts. Poor diet can cause inflammation, damage collagen and lead to premature wrinkles and sagging skin. The good news is, by making conscious diet decisions, you can offset those signs of aging. Here we reveal which top six foods speed up the process of aging in your body (you don’t have to look your age!):

SUGAR

Processed sugar can be the culprit for your adult breakouts. To make it even worse, when consumed frequently it can drastically age skin by attacking healthy connective tissue which in turn degrades collagen and elastin, the proteins that keeps skin soft, supple, and firm.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol robs our bodies of vitamins B, A and C, which are vital for skin and overall health. Excessive alcohol depletes minerals including magnesium and zinc, as well as essential fatty acids, all of which are needed to slow down the onset of premature ageing. Alcohol is also the ultimate skin dehydrator.

TRANS FATS

These are usually found in foods with a long shelf life. Biscuits, cakes, pies, margarine, fast foods and deep fried foods are all examples. They reduce the fluidity of our cells, burden the liver and add to inflammation resulting in premature aging. These unhealthy fats may make you more vulnerable to UV damage, which is the number-one cause of aging.

SALT

Foods that are high in sodium can be harmful to your skin. Foods like processed meats, popcorn, pizza, canned entrees, frozen foods, salad dressings and marinades can contain a lot of salt. Salt causes our bodies to retain water and can result in swelling. You will notice it usually affects the skin around the eyes, lending to an unwanted puffy look. Salt can also lead to high blood pressure, which affects collagen.

REFINED CARBS

Simple carbohydrates include sugars and refined grains that have been stripped of all nutrients. White bread, pastries, and white rice are some examples of foods packed with refined carbs. These foods increase the inflammation that triggers DNA and collagen damaging oxidative stress. Over time, you will notice fine lines, wrinkles, and an overall aged appearance. Refined carbs are also one of the leading causes of adult acne.

MILK & CHEESE

It is believed that milk can be full of growth hormones and growth factors. Most of the cows used in farming are actually pregnant cows. Studies show that these hormones such as progesterone and insulin growth factors make their way into our blood stream. When we consume the milk, it leads to increased levels of inflammation, skin breakdown, increased oil production and breakouts in many people.

It is hard to totally cut out these ingredients from your daily life. However, I believe everything should be taken in moderation so that you do not have to completely miss out when those cravings hit. While a few indulgences will not age you overnight, a constantly poor diet can accelerate the aging process of your skin over time.