Acne isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. It can cause you to shy away from social events. For teenagers, it can even lead to some serious self-confidence and self-esteem issues. And modern acne treatments can leave you feeling as though you’ll never get rid of it.
So, how can you work toward having more clear skin? What actually works? In this article, we’re going to examine what exactly acne is and what causes it, as well as what foods, supplements, and lifestyle choices can help alleviate it.
Acne happens when the oil glands in the skin become clogged or infected. This can create cyst-like or pimple-y bumps across the skin, most often on the face, forehead, chest, or upper back.
While it might be tempting to pop a pimple, this is the very last thing you should do. Acne is typically related to hormonal changes, such as increased androgens (estrogen or testosterone), diet, stress, or certain medications. Simply popping the pimple can lead to scarring and even further infection or breakouts.
So, what can you do about it instead?
With any health issue, starting with your diet is never a bad idea. Your diet sets the stage, giving your body the tools its needs to function properly (or improperly!).
So, what is the best diet for acne? Research tends to show that a low-glycemic diet is best. In fact, insulin resistance is closely linked with acne. As such, foods you may want to include in your diet are:
Many experts recommend even performing intermittent fasting to help reduce any insulin resistance that’s at play. Other experts further claim going keto can help. However, you always want to approach any restrictive diet with caution and discuss the options with your doctor before diving in headfirst.
Additionally, foods high in antioxidants may help reduce acne. For example, drinking green tea every day can increase your antioxidant intake.
It can also help to supplement to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs, such as with Life Nutrition’s Women’s Everyday Complete, Men’s Everyday Complete, and Liver Detox. Supporting your liver can help reduce acne by helping to eliminate excess hormones, estrogen, and testosterone, which are known to contribute to acne.
Inevitably, it’s not just about what you eat but about what you do as well. Here are a few lifestyle changes you can make to work toward clear skin:
Acne doesn’t have to rule your life. And it is possible to reduce and eliminate it! Make a few changes in your life and diet. Then, sometimes, it’s really about giving your body some time to heal. That way, you can put your best face forward with a clear complexion and a confident demeanor!