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Acne Diet
Acne (pimples) has some relationship with nutrition, however there is little credible research providing links between certain food groups and acne. As an acne sufferer it is a process of trial and error. However there are some guidelines that may be useful.
Foods to Avoid
Foods with saturated fats and trans fats can contribute to oily skin. Saturated fats are found in most animal products - such as meats, dairy, and poultry. However the body does still require other essential fatty acids - such as from fish, or flaxseed or hempseed oil.
Some believe that a high calorie intake (i.e. eating too much) can lead to increased hormone levels, and subsequently more ‘break-outs’ - but this is unproven.
What about chocolates and candy?
Many believe there is a direct relationship between eating chocolate and increased acne. However this is unproven - although chocolate does have a high proportion of saturated fats.
Foods to Try
A higher protein intake may assist in acne control. This may be to do with the decreased production of a certain enzyme that can cause more oil production, and increased clogging of pores. A diet with 60-70% carbohydrates may be too high in carbs.
Acne Treatments & Vitamins
Some people have found that Vitamin A and Zinc have helped with acne. In addition Green Tea could also be incorporated into the diet (as it leads to a decrease in androgen production).
High levels of iodine in the diet does impact some acne sufferers - by causing new outbreaks of acne lesions. Note that very salty (iodized salt) foods such as chips etc, contain high levels of iodine and should be avoided.
See Also
User Reviews
June 18th, 2009
Hi there!!!
Acne is a severe problem, and must not go untreated! Acne is not normal at ANY AGE!!! If you suffer from acne, you have an internal problem. Dermatologists often prescribe antibiotics, they do help, but the acne will return soon after your last treatment, one cannot afford to take medication all the time so rather dont bother with a dermatologist. The best doctors to see are ENDOCRINOLOGS (im not sure what the english term is), specialists thats work with hormonal problems. A series of blood tests will determine what treatment you need to correct the hormonal problem, which is the most common cause of acne.
Vitamins that help reduce acne include ZINC, VITAMIN A, VITAMIN E, SELINIUM, B6, EVENING PRIMROSE OIL and OMEGA 3-6-9. In order of importance. Zinc being the most effective as it reduces sebum production, take it in the morning as soon as you wake-up or before you go to bed.
Your diet can effect your acne. Do NOT consume any DAIRY products, although it may not cause acne it will irritate the infection. Drink lots of GREEN TEA!!! Green tea is a natural anti-oxident and will help you reduce your acne, drink it without sugar. Water is the next best solution. Avoid foods high in saturated fats, sugars and salts.
You may wash your face, twice a day with any product you feel has worked best for you. If you feel comfortable using only natural products, do so, but if your face becomes oily an hour or less after you have washed it, a stronger product must be used. Washing your face should not sting or hurt, if so you are using a product that is too harsh for your skin. There are many great products out there and not everything works for everyone, so this is a problem each person should figure out alone.
Always keep your hands clean. Change you pillow cases and sheets at LEAST 3 times a week. Try avoid touching your face, cellphones should be kept at a reasonable distance from the side of your face. If you wear glasses, they need to be cleaned as often as possible.
For the ladies—The pill does work for many people and this option should be considered. If you do not have a regular period, you need to see a doctor, its probably causing your acne. You are not going to be young forever so, DO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN, just wash it everyday and condition your roots. IF YOU WEAR MAKE-UP, you should use a foundation made specifically for acne, the best foundation for any type of acne, even cystic, is from VICHY, a range called NORMADERM for acne prone skin, it stays on for long, covers zits, even the big oily ones, and prevents shine, it is a bit costly though. Vichy, normaderm is my outer treatment of choice, it works. Foundations not made for acne contain oil and will clog your pores and cause an out-break. If you dont wear foundation to conceal your zits, try doing eye make-up or wear lipstick. Try not to wear black, it attracts attention to yor face, which is then the most eye-catching part of your body and although black may seem to conceal your problems, it highlights them. Wear what you like in happy bright colors like red, blue and green, there are hundreds of shades, wear earings and heels and perfume…do your nails…go swimming and dancing!!!
Go out, have fun and remember that anyone low enough to treat you any different because of your acne is not worth a second of your time. CONFIDENCE IS BOLDER THAN ACNE. Hope that this helped a little.
June 12th, 2009
I had acnee since I was 13-14, and now I am 16 so it is a long period of suffering. But one thing I can certanly say is that you are what you eat. If you give up at all those things full with spices, trust me it will have its effect. I am living in a country where acne is not a very usual problem, thts why it was harder for me to accept that I am not the lucky one about my face. Still I hope that it will clear up, plus, my dad who is a doctos, said that the girls who have acnee while they are young, when they get mature they are more healthy and fertile, so everything has advantages. Just don’t pay too much attention to it, and one day you will be surprised when you’ll look in the mirrow:)
J
It makes me cry every morning when piling on make-up to try and cover some of it…it makes me feel ugly and I avoid being social during a lot of my “break-out” times. My boyfriend gets mad at me for being so down on myself (Of course because he doesn’t know how it feels to wake up to a spotted red face everyday)…but is there anything anyone with similar severity as my acne has found successful??!! I am willing to try everything…I am scared to try accutane because my job requires a lot of people-contact and I can’t be peeling everywhere (plus, with the amount of makeup required to be comfortable in public)… I have seen a few people saying that they have cut dairy (specifically milk) out of their diets…I drink about a 1/2 gallon of milk per day! I LOVE milk with every meal…its going to be tough to break but if it cures my acne then it should be worth it…let me know if anyone else has any tips!! 
June 25th, 2009
i used to have very mild acne, hardly any. nothing noticeable. them when somwhere around 12 my skin completely cleared using clean and clear! then… a few months later, it started getting worse and worse, it would get better (with lots of hard work), but then it came back horrible. now i can’t get rid of it. i tried everything! proavtive, clean and clear (again), neutrogena, asprin mask, calime lotion (used to work great, now has no effect), and many more. saw a dermatologist, the acne medications he gave me didn’t do a thing! and there was more then one! i’m so depressed. It used to only be bad on my forhead so at least i could wear a hat, but now it’s everywhere, i’m so depressed. i hardely leave the house anymore. i completely cut out ALL dairy, and All JUNK FOOD and all greasy food, i now eat veggies, fruit, rice,and soymilk! it doesn’t work! My skin hasen’t cleared at ALL! I keep my face really clean. it gets really oily, so i have to wash my face allot because when i don’t i get new breakouts. as soon as one group of pimples starts to gow away, another cluster will come up. PlEASE HELP ME!