Like all lifestyle changes, the journey to healthy, clear skin begins within. Acne, though generally beginning as a result of hormone imbalances in the body related to hormonal changes, is exacerbated through a variety of causes. Stress and genetic predisposition play a role in acne development and, though long-debated, many medical professionals and studies have found a correlation between acne and diet.
Why does acne only affect some people? Well, there are multiple forms of acne, and in many circumstances they are controllable with oral or topical treatment. The most common form of the skin condition being acne vulgaris which onsets as a result of genetic predisposition, unhealthy nutrition, and/or stress.
Acne and Nutrition
In the case of poor nutrition, acne is just one of the body’s most outward sign of imbalance and stress. Though some individuals may not experience acne as a result of an inflammatory diet, their bodies may exhibit different symptoms, such as drained energy, arthritis or other more internal ailments. Fortunately, some food groups may help to naturally suppress inflammation in the body.
Treating acne-prone skin begins with a balance of internal and external care. This not only means eating a well-balanced, vegetable-rich diet, but avoiding inflammatory foods that may cause your system to react.
Nationally, the American culture has a natural tendency towards a highly inflammatory diet. Some studies show the following products cause the skin to secrete excess sebum: dairy products, foods with highly processed gluten, refined sugary products, and fried or highly processed foods. If consumed in excess, they may contribute to acne or other health-related inflammation.
However, it is important to note that though oil produced in your skin may be part of the problem, an oil or fat-free diet is not the answer. Your body needs a balance of healthy fats in order to properly absorb nutrients, and stripping your body of its natural source of healthy fats can result in other problems. Additionally, some oils, such as CBD oil, can actually support anti-inflammatory responses in the body if ingested.
The same must be said for topical treatments. Many acne treatments seek to eliminate acne by drying the skin rather than eliminating the source of the issue from within. Though these treatments can be successful, they don’t stop acne breakouts from occurring. In extreme circumstances, this dryness can even cause the skin to overproduce oils, resulting in intensified breakouts.
Our Tips for Acne Relief
To treat acne, we advocate for a holistic approach by examining the source of internal imbalance and the topical infection. We encourage you to take the following steps in your acne treatment:
- Begin with a balanced, healthy diet. Acne-prone skin is highly sensitive. Eating a vegetable and leafy-green plant-rich diet will encourage balance in your system and give your body the nutrition it needs to heal itself.
- Manage your stress. Acne can be exacerbated through unhealthy stress levels. By finding ways to cope with stressors, you may be able to help alleviate some of your symptoms.
- Make sure you are properly hydrated. As our bodies relieve themselves of toxins through sweat, and if we don’t have enough water it can cause us to retain unhealthy substances to remain in our systems.
- Treat your skin well. Though our skin’s appearance is in part a product of our genetics and what we consume, topical substances can aggravate it. Make sure you are applying non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging!) substances to your skin and make sure to properly moisturize and cleanse your skin twice a day.
Want hydrating, anti-inflammatory products? Try our “Acne Support Package” for a natural approach to skin rejuvenation.