Acne can flare up at any time of life, but bacteria and hormones, the normal culprits, aren’t always to blame. Sometimes lifestyle and diet are the true sources of acne. So what are the changes you need to make to get rid of acne?
Diet can affect acne
You are what you eat, or so they say. It’s cliché, but also incredibly true. Some foods can cause acne to flare up while others help reduce it.
Foods to eat to get rid of acne
If you want to know how to get rid of acne and clear up your skin, try eating anti-inflammatory foods and foods that contain antioxidants.
Anti-inflammatory foods
The red pustules so characteristic of acne aren’t caused by bacteria. When your body senses bacteria, the immune system fires up to fight it off. In the process, it creates inflammation. Reducing inflammation can go a long way to even out your skin and reduce the redness.
The Harvard Medical School recommends these foods to fight inflammation:
- Tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Leafy greens
- Nuts
- Fish
- Fruits
Antioxidant-rich foods
Antioxidants, on the other hand, protect your skin from free radical damage. This improves dull complexion and keeps skin healthy.
For foods full of antioxidants, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following:
- Berries
- Fruits with the peel
- Vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Nuts and seeds
Foods to avoid to treat acne
On the flip side, certain foods make acne worse. This includes many processed foods, which contribute to inflammation, and a few others that are more specific.
Foods that cause inflammation
Foods that cause inflammation usually aren’t healthy for you to begin with. They’re all those foods Glozine Lifestyle tries to warn you about because they’re processed and often added ingredients.
There are a lot of foods that fall into this category, but according to the Arthritis Foundation, these are some of the common ingredients that cause inflammation:
- Sugar
- Artificial sweeteners like aspartame
- Saturated fats
- Trans fats
- Omega 6 fatty acids found in many cooking oils like vegetable, corn, sunflower, soy, and peanut oil to name a few.
- Refined carbs like white flour and white potatoes
- MSG, a flavoring found in many processed foods
- Gluten and casein found in many types of bread and pasta can also cause inflammation
- Alcohol
Other foods to avoid
The American Academy of Dermatology reports that there’s a growing body of evidence that other types of food contribute to acne:
- Foods with a high-glycemic index can aggravate acne. High-glycemic foods like white bread, white rice, white potatoes, chips and pretzels, and very sugary fruits like pineapples cause a spike in blood sugar and should be avoided.
- Dairy products might also have a link to acne. Several large studies found drinking milk resulted in more severe acne in teens.
Lifestyle changes can influence acne, too
Since acne occurs when your hair follicles plug up with dead skin cells and oil, there’s a lot you can do to help prevent acne in the first place.
- Follow a beauty care routine – it might sound basic, but the best way to keep your skin clear is to clean your face in the morning and at night with a gentle cleanser. You should also exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells, so they don’t build up.
- Use skin-friendly products – some lotions and moisturizers clog pores, so always choose noncomedogenic makeup and skincare products.
- Wear sunscreen – the sun can induce sweat, which can build up in your pores if you don’t wash your face. It can also darken red spots and cause discoloration, drawing attention to your skin. Besides that, the sun damages your skin with UV rays. One of the best things you can do for your skin is to wear sunscreen designed for your face or a moisturizer that contains sunscreen every day.
- Don’t pick acne – everyone’s heard this one, but it’s because picking acne and blemishes can make it worse. Popping zits will leave temporary red marks, but it can also cause scarring.
- Follow a sleep schedule – sleep plays an important role in your immune system and regulates hormones. If you don’t get enough sleep, it can get everything out of whack and cause flare-ups.
- Manage your stress – stress also messes with your hormones, so if you don’t find a way to channel it healthily, you might notice a few spots popping up.
Making these changes isn’t hard, but it’s a lot to think about. Try incorporating some of these lifestyle and diet changes slowly and over time. Even small changes can make a difference, and help improve your life in other ways as well.
Author Bio:
Sophie Addison is a popular blogger and skincare expert. She is very passionate about writing on skincare and beauty. She has posted articles on tips for fine lines and wrinkles, best eye creams, weight loss and fitness news. Apart from work she likes gardening and listening music. You can also contact her on Facebook, and Pinterest.