Hyderabad dermatologist shares 3 worst foods for your skin that destroy collagen and accelerate ageing

Updated on: Feb 3, 2026, 11:34:45 IST

By Eshana Saha

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Real skin care starts on your plate! (Unsplash)

According to Dr Reddy, no matter how many topical creams or serums you use, your skin will keep acting up if you don't fix your nutrition!

No matter how expensive your skincare routine is, glowing skin cannot be built on a poor diet. From collagen breakdown to chronic inflammation, what you eat plays a far bigger role in skin health than any cream or serum ever could. If your daily diet is filled with skin-damaging foods, topical products can only do so much - and often, very little.

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Dr Pooja Reddy, a Hyderabad-based dermatologist specialising in laser science and hair restoration, has revealed the three worst foods for your skin. In an Instagram video shared on January 30, the dermatologist explains how these dietary culprits actively break down collagen, fuel inflammation, and accelerate visible signs of premature ageing.

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A post shared by Dr. Pooja Reddy (@dr.poojareddy)

High fructose corn syrup

Present in sugary drinks, sauces, and junk foods, Dr Reddy points out that high fructose corn syrup is a synthetic sweetening which is much worse than real sugar. It forms compounds called advanced glycation end products (AEGs) that are harmful for the collagen and lead to skin stiffness and wrinkles.

The dermatologist explains, “Number one, High Fructose Corn Syrup. I wouldn't even call it food. It’s in sodas, packed juices, biscuits, sauces and most junk food. It’s not real sugar, it’s synthetic, and it’s 10 times more likely to damage your skin proteins than regular glucose. It creates AGEs that destroy your collagen. Your skin becomes stiff, wrinkles form faster, and it destroys your liver too.”

Reheated refined oils

Repeatedly reheating refined oils strips them of their nutritional value and causes the fats to oxidise. These oxidised fats can trigger chronic inflammation in the body - including inflammation of the skin - accelerating cellular damage and negatively impacting overall health.

Dr Reddy explains, “Number two, repeatedly heated refined oils. The oil at the samosa shop that has been reheated for days. Every time oil is heated again and again, it breaks down. The protective Vitamin E gets destroyed. What's left are oxidised fats that keep your skin inflamed from the inside.”

Crispy fried foods

The dermatologist points out that crispy fried foods are loaded with acrylamides. In fact, the darker and crunchier the food, the higher your intake of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), compounds known to accelerate inflammation and skin ageing.

Dr Reddy states, “Number three, crispy fried foods. French fries, pakoras, chips - that golden brown crunch is where acrylamide forms. The darker and the crispier, the more AGEs you are eating. Your creams can’t fix what your diet is destroying.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eshana Saha
Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More

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