It is well documented that foods affect your skin. Your diet can either help or hurt your acne. What you eat directly affects the oil production in your skin, and this will directly impact the frequency and severity of breakouts. If you are struggling with acne, read on to learn which foods are good for your skin and which ones you should avoid at all costs.
Keeping a food journal can be very helpful when trying to identify triggers for pimples. You might also want to consider consulting a registered dietitian who has experience working with people who have specific nutritional needs (such as people with acne). A healthy diet goes beyond preventing pimples; it can also protect against long-term damage to your skin from acne scars and wrinkles. Read on for some great tips about what you should eat and avoid if you struggle with pimples.
Good foods for acne
Avocados – These are a great source of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can help fight acne by reducing the amount of oxidative stress on your skin. Avocados are also rich in fiber and healthy fats that will help keep your skin and digestive system healthy overall.
Buckwheat – This is a great source of antioxidants and can help fight damage to your skin caused by acne. Buckwheat is also a good source of fiber, protein, and a wide range of B vitamins that can help keep your skin healthy. Buckwheat is also a good source of magnesium, which can help improve acne as well as regulate your skin’s natural oil production.
Bananas – These are a great source of fiber and Vitamin B6, both of which have been shown to improve acne. Bananas are also a good source of Vitamin C, Potassium, and manganese, which are all helpful for managing acne. Bananas are also a good source of magnesium, which has been shown to reduce acne.
Blueberries – These are a great source of antioxidants and fiber, which can help fight acne. Blueberries are also a good source of Vitamin C and manganese, both of which have been shown to help improve acne.
Oats – These are a great source of Vitamin E and fiber, both of which have been shown to improve acne. Oats are also a good source of B vitamins and zinc, both of which have been shown to help reduce acne. Oats are also a good source of magnesium, which has been shown to reduce acne.
Spinach – This is a great source of Vitamin A, which can help reduce acne. Spinach is also a good source of fiber and Vitamin C, both of which have been shown to help fight acne.
Tomatoes – These are a great source of lycopene, which has been shown to help reduce acne. Tomatoes are also a good source of fiber and Vitamin C, both of which help fight acne.
Turmeric – This is a great source of antioxidants and has been shown to help fight acne. Turmeric is also a good source of fiber and manganese, both of which have been shown to help reduce acne.
Foods that are bad for acne
Ice cream – This is a very high-glycemic food that is very bad for acne. Ice cream is loaded with sugar and very few nutrients. Ice cream will spike your blood sugar and cause acne, so it’s best to stay away from this food if you want to clear your skin.
High-glycemic foods – have been shown to increase acne by causing an increase in your blood sugar. The high insulin levels that result from eating high-glycemic foods have been linked to increased acne. You may be surprised to learn that chocolate, white rice, and potatoes are all high-glycemic foods.
Alcohol – This is a very high-glycemic drink that is bad for acne. Alcohol contains many calories but very little nutrition. Consuming alcohol will spike your blood sugar, causing acne. Regularly drinking alcohol will cause acne, so it’s best to avoid this drink if you want clear skin.
Processed Foods – These are very high-glycemic foods and are very bad for acne. Eating a lot of processed foods will cause acne. Coffee – This is a very high-glycemic drink that is very bad for acne. Coffee will cause acne by raising your blood sugar. Coffee is loaded with caffeine, which is known to increase acne.
Dairy – This is a very high-glycemic food that is bad for acne. Dairy products have been shown to increase acne.
Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is a very high-glycemic food that is bad for acne. Coconut oil is also very high in saturated fats, which have been shown to increase acne.
Cream Cheese – This is a very high-glycemic food that is bad for acne. Cream cheese has very few nutrients and is high in saturated fats, both of which can increase acne. Cream cheese is also high in sugar and has been shown to increase acne.
Tips for Eating Well When You Have Acne
- Eat a variety of healthy foods. When you eat a variety of healthy foods, you get a wide range of nutrients. This will help you avoid missing out on any important nutrients that can help improve acne.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants and fiber that have been shown to reduce acne. You should aim for two or three servings of fruits and veggies per day.
- Eat low-glycemic foods. You should eat low-glycemic foods when you have acne. Low-glycemic foods have a low impact on your blood sugar and are gentler on your skin. Foods like oats and bananas are examples of low-glycemic foods.
- Drink lots of water. Water is essential for healthy skin and you need to consume lots of it. When you have acne, you should drink lots of water to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Eat healthy proteins. You should eat healthy proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa when you have acne. These are good sources of protein and fiber.
- Eat healthy fats. You should eat healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and seeds when you have acne. These foods are rich in healthy fats and will help keep your skin healthy.
- Stay away from high-glycemic foods. You should stay away from high-glycemic foods when you have acne. You can read labels to find low-glycemic foods.
Bottom line
Eating a healthy diet will go a long way in protecting your skin against the damaging effects of acne. Keep a food journal to track what you eat and how it affects your skin. You can then adjust your diet accordingly to see if it helps with your acne.
For best results, you should aim for a diet that is low in sugar and high in healthy fats and fiber. Eating healthy will go a long way in helping you clear your skin, so don’t hesitate to make a few changes to your diet.
Remember that acne is not a sign of poor hygiene, so don’t feel bad if you’re struggling with breakouts. A healthy diet can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of your pimples, so don’t let acne stand in the way of living a healthy lifestyle.
