Clearing acne without medication!
Having amazing skin isn't only about the products you put on your face. Your complexion is also a reflection of the food you eat. You’ve heard the phrase “you are what you eat.” In my experience behind the treatment table, what is on your plate shows up on your skin too. Some foods seem to calm inflammation, and others seem to set breakouts off. Read on for the ones I talk about most with clients.
To be clear about what this article is and is not: diet is one factor among several, alongside hormones, genetics, medication and your skincare routine. Nothing here replaces medical advice, and if your acne is painful, cystic or scarring, please see a dermatologist.
What foods do people often find make breakouts worse?
- Milk and dairy
- Milk chocolate
- Refined carbs and sugar
- Burgers
- Fried foods
- Processed foods
- Coconut oil
- Whey protein
- Soy foods
What foods support clearer skin?
- Probiotics
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Antioxidants
- Zinc
- Yellow and orange fruits
- Dark green and leafy vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Blueberries
- Brown rice
- Salmon and sardines
- Avocado
- Walnuts
- Sweet potatoes
- Red and yellow bell peppers
What else helps?
Keep your face clean. Whether or not you have acne, it is worth washing your face twice daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin's surface.
- Moisturize with a water based moisturizer
- Try a professional acne product chosen for your skin. If you are not sure where to start, book a skin care consultation and we will look at it together
- Use makeup sparingly, since many makeup ingredients can make acne worse
- Watch what you put on your hair, as conditioning treatments and oils can migrate onto the skin
- Change your razor head, because razor heads are a breeding ground for bacteria in a moist shower
- Clean your cell phone with alcohol
- Change your pillowcase daily and sheets weekly
- Clean your sunglasses with soap, water and alcohol
- Stop touching your face, since germs and oil from your hands end up in your pores
- Never reuse a washcloth or towel, as these breed bacteria after one use
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: WATER, WATER, WATER!!!!! Hydration supports every system in your body, skin included.
In studio, a chemical peel or a deep cleansing facial is where I usually start with congested skin. Come and see me and we will build a plan around your skin rather than someone else's.
