Can what you eat actually affect your skin? The answer is yes! Studies have shown that there may be a link between diet and acne. If you’ve been dealing with persistent breakouts, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s on your plate. Let’s dive into why diet can have an impact on your skin and what foods you should consider avoiding for clearer skin.
How Does Diet Affect Acne?
Let’s get real—not all food is created equal. Eating certain foods can cause inflammation and irritation in the body, which can lead to more breakouts. But how does this happen? Well, when we consume certain foods, our blood sugar levels spike, prompting insulin secretion from the pancreas. This triggers hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which can cause an increase in oil production and inflammation. And voila! That’s why eating unhealthy foods could potentially cause acne breakouts.
What Foods should I Avoid?
Now that you know why diet can have an effect on acne, let’s look at some of the foods you should minimise within your diet if you want clear skin. Refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, crisps and crackers are known to spike blood sugar levels quickly (and trigger those pesky hormones). One of the main culprits is dairy; studies have shown that those who consume more dairy products have a higher chance of acne than those who don’t consume dairy. Dairy products such as milk are also known to worsen breakouts because they contain hormones that stimulate oil production in the skin. Finally, processed sugars found in products such as chocolate bars or fizzy drinks are also known to increase blood sugar levels, meaning it’s best to limit these too if you want clear skin.
It is important to note that everyone reacts differently to different types of food—so while some people may see improvement after cutting out dairy or refined carbs from their diets, others may not see any change at all. Regardless of your individual results however, it’s always a good idea to cut down on processed sugars and unhealthy fats as part of a healthy lifestyle overall!
In addition to avoiding certain types of food, certain vitamins and minerals are also important for maintaining healthy skin. These include zinc, Vitamin A, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporating these into your daily diet can help reduce inflammation associated with acne breakouts. Consider incorporating more lean proteins, fruits & veggies, whole grains & nuts into your daily routine – your skin will thank you!
What can I do if I already have acne?
If you’ve already developed acne and want help to get rid of it, we can help with that! If the acne is very severe then it may require medical treatment. However, at Simply Clinics we offer a number of treatments may be able to help with your skin. For example, our Obagi Chemical Peel treatments are effective at treating mild acne and regenerating the skin. Alternatively, our Microneedling treatment is great at providing your skin with deep rejuvenation as it encourages your skin to replenish, with new skin cells.
To talk to one of our skin care experts, get in touch with us here:
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