Beware of the Buffet: What Your Favorite Holiday Foods Can Do to Your Complexion

You already know what the holidays can do to your waistline (that's what elastic waistbands are for this time of year, right?), but they can also wreck serious havoc on your appearance. We asked Real Beauty expert, Dr. Bank what the most common holiday food offenders are and how to stop them from harming your complexion this season.

Salty Snacks:Everyone's eyes look a little swollen in the morning, but chowing down on salty foods (like mini hotdogs and Swedish meatballs) can cause water retention, which, in turn, leaves you with bigger bags than normal. If you know you're going to be going on a salt binge, make sure to keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water toprevent puffy eyesand bloating.


A Fatty Dinner:
If you pile your plate with prime rib, buttery mashed potatoes, and stuffing (and enjoy several nights of leftovers), you're asking for acne. According to Dr. Bank, eating a lot of fatty (and sugary) food can trigger an increase in insulin production, which ramps up your body's production of the male hormone, androgen. Androgen is responsible for excessive sebum production, and as you know, sebum clogs pores and attracts bacteria, resulting in acne. But this doesn't mean you can't enjoy your seasonal favorites. Be mindful of portion control and you can still enjoy everything on the table.

Dessert Overload:
From pumpkin pie with whipped cream to sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, the holidays are an endless parade of sugary treats. But know that going overboard at dessert time can mean premature aging, sagging skin, and wrinkles, says Dr. Banks. Excess sugar is linked with a natural process called glycation, where blood sugar attaches to proteins and results in Advanced Glyacting End products (AGEs). AGE molecules cause premature aging, dull skin, and sagging skin. The increased AGE molecules also cause skin to be more susceptible to sun damage, because AGE molecules deactivate the body's natural antioxidant enzymes.

If you find you've managed to stuff yourself bigger than Aunt Ida's turkey, don't panic. Just make sure to eat your first meal the next day as late as possible (or at noon) so that your digestive system has time to recover from your holiday feast. You can also ward off overeating by chewing slowly (at least 25 to 30 times before swallowing) and taking smaller bites of food.

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.