How Is Your Diet Affecting Your Acne Prone Skin?

Let's talk about who calls the shots when it comes to your skin. We spend a lot of time researching pricey products for the outside when it's what goes inside, calling the shots. A common culprit in your acne-prone skin is food. While it's one of the most common factors, so are hormones. Food and hormones go hand and hand. Certain foods can cause a change in our hormones. Having a better understanding of which foods affect your skin and hormones can improve acne and prevent breakouts by being more mindful about what we eat.

Below, we're giving you the dos and don'ts to reduce acne with clean eating.

Don't

Indulge Fast Food: Yes, we're stating the obvious. Fast food is first on our list of acne-triggering foods. Staying away from fast food and cooking at home and indulging in home-cooked meals makes cleaner eating possible, making it easier to prevent acne. Choosing foods that contain healthy probiotics, fats, and many nutrients will only work as an aid to help clear up current acne. Still, they can also help your body prevent breakouts in the future by balancing your hormone levels.

Eat dairy: Determining foods you may be sensitive to is the first step in your skincare journey. Dairy is a common one. Experts have conducted more and more studies that link dairy foods to acne. No, we don't just mean milk and cheese. Most processed food contains dairy ingredients, so be sure to read the labels at your local grocery stores. We have good news. There is always an alternative. Swap your regular cow milk for products like almonds, coconut, soy, and even peas. Not only do these alternatives taste great, but they are nutrient-filled too!

Consume too much sugar: For those of you with a sweet tooth, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Foods high on the glycemic index and sugar are major contributors to your acne breakouts. The production of insulin increases when indulging in high sugar content. 

Do

Drink plenty of water: Let's say water is a miracle worker. From preventing acne, flushing toxins, and giving you glowing skin, the benefits of drinking water are endless. Drinking water helps to avert excess oil and sebum by balancing the skin and water content on its surface. Adult acne has become more common these days due to a lack of hydration and a busy lifestyle. 

Take Supplements: A multivitamin is a vital factor when preventing breakouts. Multivitamins work to fill in the nutrient gaps you're probably not getting in food. Vitamin A and zinc work as powerful antioxidants to shield your skin from free-radical damage, while manganese helps with collagen formation.

Add protein: Powerhouse ingredients like wild salmon, free-range organic poultry, grass-fed beef, and (if you're not intolerant) barnyard eggs provide collagen-building amino acids are a great source of protein. Protein is one of the building blocks of skin tissue. An ample intake of this macronutrient is essential to achieve healthy, plump skin. Protein also contains two amino acids, namely L-lysine and L-proline, that support the body's production of collagen. 

Follow the dos and don'ts for clear, healthy, glowing skin!