Everybody wants clear skin. But how can you get acne-free skin? Well, there are a few different ways to achieve this goal. For starters, it’s important to note that acne is caused by many things, including stress and hormonal changes. However, the foods that people eat also impact acne breakouts. Some foods can cause acne, while other foods may help prevent acne from happening at all! The first step in preventing acne is to understand what causes acne so you know which actions you should take next! This article will cover the types of food, including examples that can help prevent or cause acne breakouts.
So, you have acne-prone skin, but you don’t know what to do about it. You’re not alone; acne affects nearly 85% of all people at some point in their lives. While acne can be caused by many things, including stress and hormonal changes, the foods that people eat also impact acne breakouts. Certain foods may help prevent acne or even stop acne once it starts! Here are a few examples of the types of food that can help prevent acne:
Low-glycemic, complex carbohydrate meals may help you avoid developing acne. These foods are also known as low-carb, protein-rich foods such as oats, brown rice, bran cereal, and whole wheat bread. Foods that contain antioxidants, zinc, and vitamins A and E are also beneficial to prevent acne. Zinc is found in high-protein foods such as seafood, red meat, poultry, nuts, and seeds. Vitamin A-rich foods include leafy green vegetables and fruits and vegetables that are orange in color. Foods such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and vegetable oils are a great source of Vitamin E. Finally, antioxidants are found in many different foods, including fruits, vegetables, beans, tea, and whole grains. You may have noticed that certain foods like oats, beans, nuts, and seeds are a good source of several acne-fighting nutrients. While you can find these foods in cans or jarred form, it’s most beneficial to eat them in the freshest, raw form possible to maximize the benefits from these foods.
Certain foods that people eat can also lead to acne breakouts. One of the leading causes of acne is insulin spikes. When you eat foods high in sugar and other processed carbohydrates, your body releases insulin to digest them. Insulin is a hormone that causes your pores to become blocked and leads to the formation of acne. So, what foods should you avoid if you’re trying to prevent acne? Foods that are high in sugar are the number one cause of acne. So, it’s important to avoid sugary drinks, candy, baked goods, and processed foods. Dairy products, especially milk, are known to cause insulin spikes, leading to acne. When we digest these proteins, they release a hormone similar to insulin, called IGF-1. This hormone is known to trigger breakouts. Sometimes the hormones in milk can also interact with our hormones, confusing our body’s endocrine system and signaling breakouts.¹
If you’re looking for ways to prevent acne, it helps to make wise choices related to your diet. Making some healthy changes can produce great results. Choose whole-grain bread instead of white bread, or fresh fruit for dessert rather than cake or a pastry. While avoiding certain foods and eating others can be helpful, it’s also important to remember that other factors are also at play. When you get stressed out, you might notice that you’re more prone to breakouts, which is very common. There’s only so much you can do to manage stress, but you can make sure that you’re using the best anti-acne products and seek professional help from a qualified skin care specialist like Shawna Joaquin of Flawless Medspa. For a consultation or to get help ordering medical quality skincare products that will help you win the battle with acne, turn to a qualified professional and make the right choices as it relates to your diet.
SOURCE: ¹ Healthline – Is There a Link Between Dairy and Acne?