Control Acne so it Doesn’t Control You!
Acne is one of those things we all wished never existed. It can really impact our quality of life. It can undermine confidence and affect how we show up in the world. When I was a teen I was told my acne had nothing to do with what I ate but simply genetics. We know today that that is partly true, genetics does play a role, but what you eat, your stress level, hormonal balance and other factors are perhaps stronger influencers of acne occurrence.
It’s also no coincidence that typically, we see acne flare ups in teen years and then sometimes again during those peri menopausal years. Hormones have a lot to do with acne and hormones are prone to fluctuations during those times. Acne can act as a signal that there are some imbalances occurring.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, it’s also a detoxification organ. If the body’s other detoxification organs are working on overdrive, it's likely you will see it in your skin. The good news is, you can improve your skin and minimize acne breakouts by evaluating your health and lifestyle.
8 Things you can do to minimize acne flare ups:
Drink water - Filtered is best, I know this sounds so repetitive for those of you who have read my blogs but I really can’t stress this enough!! Water helps everything in your body function better. It assists with detoxification, aids the liver, helps the kidneys and helps your skin.
Consider removing allergens in your diet that could be contributing to acne. Dairy, gluten, corn, soy, sugar, processed and deep fried foods are the most common culprits. Eliminating these foods and then methodically reintroducing them may help you understand foods that trigger your acne. Rather than reintroducing deep fried foods, consider really limiting those in your diet. The high heat required for deep fried foods denatures the oil and produces compounds that are not good for your health or your skin!
Hygiene products - Acne products are big business! But they don’t all work, in fact, some of them can make it worse. Consider using a natural soap with calendula, tea tree oil or boswellia. These plant oils have natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties. When paired with a mild exfoliating pouf you’ve got a winning -low cost- combination! Always remember to moisturize after with a mild lotion free of toxins.
Improve gut function - Poor gut function can lead to nutrient deficiencies and an increased toxic load. This can cause the liver to work overtime and stress your other detox organs like your skin. Addressing symptoms such as gas, bloating, constipation, stomach cramps and diarrhea will help with reducing acne.
Reduce stress - This is different for everyone, whether it be practicing yoga or watching squirrel videos. You do what works for you. It’ll reduce your cortisol, help with hormone balance, gut function and improve your skin.
Use supplements to help with hormone balance and balance any nutrient deficiencies - Vitamin C, zinc, DIM, turmeric, fish oil, and probiotics are some of the nutrients and vitamins that you could consider. Work with a practitioner to figure out which supplements might support you the best.
Get a good night's sleep - Good restorative sleep not only leaves you feeling rejuvenated it reduces cortisol, improves gut function, maximizes the detox function of the body and improves the look and feel of your skin.
Exercise - is important for blood flow, and a healthy lymphatic system. It supports your overall health and contributes to good muscle tone, healthy bones and improves mental health. Workout with a friend to help keep you accountable and up the enjoyment factor.
Lastly but certainly not least is focussing on healthy foods that support your body and give you the nutrients to look and feel great. As always, focus on whole foods, including complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. These foods include but are not limited to:
Grass fed beef
Fish - salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring
Free range poultry
Seeds - pumpkin, chia, hemp
Dark green leafy veggies
Nuts - almonds, walnuts
Yellow and orange fruits and veggies - citrus, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots…
Tomatoes
Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage
Celery
Berries
Quinoa
If you’ve done all these things and you’re still struggling, I encourage you to work with a practitioner who can help you take a deeper dive into what’s going on. As mentioned earlier hormones can play a key role in how your skin is behaving. Hormone testing is a great way to see if your body is out of balance and will help identify areas that may need a more targeted approach. Addressing those issues will help you achieve clearer healthier looking skin.