Fine lines that appear overnight, makeup that no longer “takes”, a blurred complexion even though the skincare routine has not changed… After the age of 40, many women have the impression that their skin is failing them without warning. What if part of the answer was hidden less in the bathroom than in the kitchen?
Dermatologists repeat it: what you put on your plate can be seen directly on the skin. Ultra-processed products high in sugars, salt and refined carbohydrates promote inflammation and spikes in blood sugar, which damage collagen and elastin. Dr. Simran Sethi summarizes in the magazine: . Enough to make fine lines more obvious and the complexion less uniform.
After 40, when diet affects fine lines and complexion
With age, the skin naturally loses firmness and elasticity, but this phenomenon is accentuated when the menu revolves around salty snacks, very refined breads and industrial sweets. Chronic inflammation linked to these foods accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep the skin supple and plump.
In the mirror, this results in a duller complexion, skin that marks more quickly and irregular skin texture. And then, when blood sugar and salt peaks are repeated day after day, the treatments applied on the surface are less sufficient to compensate. Three everyday foods particularly stand out among dermatologists.
Chips, white bread, pastries: the 3 foods in the viewfinder
First suspect, chips. Very rich in salt, they directly contribute to the dehydration of the skin. Dr. Simran Sethi recalls: . The result is tight skin, more visible fine lines and fading radiance when snacking often becomes an aperitif.
More discreet, white bread mainly acts on the production of sebum. These highly refined carbohydrates cause insulin spikes that can unbalance the skin. Dr Nadir Qazi explains: . Very white baguette toast or industrial sandwich bread, eaten several times a day, gradually creates a less clear complexion.
Pastries and moderation: adapting your plate after 40
Pastries contain fast sugars, saturated fats and a high glycemic index. A trio that tires the skin. According to Dr. Adrienne O’Connell, . A daily habit of croissant or pain au chocolat can therefore make the skin oilier, more reactive and clearly less luminous over the years.
Because ultimately, the idea is not to banish these pleasures, but to put them back in their place: that of the exception. Keeping chips for an occasional aperitif, preferring wholemeal or semi-wholemeal breads more often, reserving pastries for the real weekend brunch, focusing the rest of the time on fruits, unsalted oilseeds or natural yogurts, helps preserve the radiance of the complexion after 40 and visually smooth fine lines.
What foods most accentuate fine lines after 40?
Dermatologists especially cite very salty chips, white bread rich in refined carbohydrates and sweet and fatty pastries, which promote dehydration, sebum and inflammation.
Why does white bread darken your complexion?
White bread causes insulin spikes which stimulate sebum production. The result is enlarged pores, imperfections and irregular skin texture, resulting in a duller complexion.
Should we completely stop chips and pastries for the skin?
Instead, specialists recommend reducing their frequency of consumption. Keeping them as occasional pleasures limits their impact on skin inflammation and complexion radiance.
What food habits help you to have a brighter complexion after 40?
Limiting ultra-processed products rich in sugars, salt and refined carbohydrates, favoring simple, lightly salted foods, and making sure to hydrate well supports the quality of the skin.
