A Dermatologist’s Guide to the Best & Worst Holiday Foods for Your Skin

The holiday season is a time for celebrating with family and friends—and enjoying plenty of delicious food. From festive gatherings at home to treats in the workplace, you’re likely to encounter foods that aren’t part of your everyday diet. And there’s nothing wrong with indulging a little! But while some holiday favorites are harmless, and some even offer health benefits, others may contribute to skin concerns that linger long after the season has ended.

The good news? Making mindful choices about what you eat can help support healthier skin throughout the holidays and into the new year. With a little balance, and advice from a dermatologist, you can enjoy your favorite foods while helping your skin look and feel its best.

“Healthy skin doesn’t mean giving up the foods you love,” says Molly Moye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Forefront Dermatology. “It’s about understanding how certain foods may affect your skin, making informed choices, and incorporating more nutrient-rich foods that support skin health.”

Holiday foods that can support healthy skin

Although every person’s skin is different, there are a few holiday staples that offer skin benefits to most. Some of the best holiday foods for good skin health are:

Cranberries. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C and polyphenols, which help protect skin cells from free-radical damage that can contribute to premature skin aging.  Vitamin C is also essential for producing collagen, which helps maintain skin structure, firmness, and elasticity. If you’re going to eat cranberry sauce, opt for the fresh kind since the canned version contains substantial amounts of added sugar.

Pumpkin. It’s packed with beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an essential role in skin cell growth and renewal, helping maintain the skin's protective barrier. Pumpkin also contains vitamin C which aids in collagen production, immune function, wound healing, and skin maintenance. While eating pumpkin pie won't erase wrinkles or replace your skincare routine, it can be a nutritious addition to a diet that supports healthy-looking skin.

Sweet Potatoes. This favorite side dish has similar nutritional benefits to pumpkin, but contains more dietary fiber (especially if you eat the skin). Fiber can help reduce inflammation in the body that contributes to acne, rosacea, and eczema flareups, but you’re more likely to experience these benefits if they’re following an appropriate skincare routine. 

Turkey. A holiday favorite, turkey provides several nutrients that support healthy skin. It contains carnosine, a naturally occurring compound with antioxidant properties that may help protect cells from oxidative damage. Turkey is also rich in protein, which supplies the amino acids needed to produce collagen. Additionally, turkey provides niacin (vitamin B3), which supports cellular energy production and normal skin function. Getting enough niacin has been shown to prevent inflamed, scaly skin, and has been linked to reducing the risk of skin cancer.   

Holiday foods that might aggravate skin problems

Depending on your skin type and sensitivity level, these foods and beverages may irritate or exacerbate particular conditions in some people. While it’s not necessary to avoid them, keeping them to a minimum can help reduce flare ups and breakouts.

Baked Goods. Those tempting Christmas cookies are often high in refined sugar and white flour, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. Excess sugar can contribute to glycation, a process in which sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin, making them stiffer and less functional, which can lead to premature wrinkles. High-glycemic foods may also worsen acne by influencing hormones and inflammation.

Alcohol. Many of us love sharing laughs over a bottle of wine and toasting to the New Year, but drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can trigger a flare of a number of underlying skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. It can also dehydrate the skin, causing it to look flaky, dry, and dull. If you’re going to imbibe this holiday season, limit yourself to one or two glasses of red wine and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Dairy products. Delicious egg nog…cookies and milk…those are hard to skip at a holiday party. But dairy products contain hormones related to testosterone that can stimulate oil glands, leading to clogged pores and pimples. To minimize chances of breakouts, wash cookies down with a non-dairy milk like almond milk, and have a smaller glass of eggnog. The good news? You can still enjoy that charcuterie board. The American Academy of Dermatology has found no evidence that cheese increases acne 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 sprinkling additional salt on your holiday dinner.

Can a dermatologist help determine what foods are best and worst for my skin?

There is no single "skin diet" or superfood that guarantees clear skin or fewer wrinkles. But dermatologists have a deep understanding of how nutrients (and lack of) affect skin health. We start with identifying your skin type and evaluate your current skin condition, then provide dietary advice based on what your skin needs. For patients who have acne, eczema, and rosacea, that might entail focusing on foods that can help manage inflammation and support skin barriers. For those concerned with wrinkles and premature skin aging, we might recommend antioxidant-rich foods to help counteract cell damage from UV rays and environmental stressors, as well as support collagen production. 

Keep in mind that nutrition plays a supportive role in skin health. A balanced diet should complement a consistent skincare routine and professional dermatological treatments tailored to your skin concerns. For example, microneedling can help improve the appearance of acne scars and sun damage, while laser treatments can address age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles while stimulating collagen production. Pairing these treatments with a nutrient-rich diet and proper skincare can help support healthier-looking skin and maintain your results, so you can feel confident in your skin throughout the year.

Dermatologist-led expertise can help you feel confident in your skin this holiday season

When you choose personalized care with a Forefront dermatologist, we take the time to understand your goals, your skin and what beauty means to you. Our priority is helping you feel refreshed, confident and more like the best version of yourself, any time of year. We can offer a full-spectrum cosmetic care to help you get holiday-ready, whether it’s eliminating acne, reducing fine lines, or restoring lost volume. Contact a Forefront office near you to schedule an appointment.