Food For Acne Thought: The Best Foods for Pimply Skin
But first, skincare
There are many causes of pimples on the face in adults and teens. Whether it's teenage acne, adult acne, or adult hormonal acne, a good skincare regimen is essential to prevent and treat it.
Natural ways of treating acne are far preferred to chemical ones, as natural treatments, while slow to treat also aid in preventing recurrence better, as they’re not stripping your face of essential oils and nutrients in the process (which is what chemicals tend to do). You’ll notice directions on the back of many chemical products saying, ‘Stop if you experience intense dryness or irritation’ or ‘switch product after 3 months’.
And then, food.
Having said that, eating the right foods is equally or more important in treating acne. Because acne is NOT an external problem alone. Acne is your skin’s way of telling you, ‘Hey, something’s wrong with you on the inside. Deal with it!’ In fact, did you know that acne on various parts of your face mean different things?
Let’s come back to our diet. As a general thumb rule, foods that raise our blood sugar more quickly than others cause acne.
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The sugar-acne connection
When your blood sugar rises quickly, it causes the body to release insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This is a hormone that manages the effects of growth. Having excess IGF-1 in your blood can cause your oil glands to produce more sebum, increasing your risks of acne and inflammation.
Some foods that trigger spikes in blood sugar include
- pasta
- white rice
- white bread
- Sugar
- Chocolate
These foods are considered “high-glycemic” carbohydrates. That means they’re made of simple sugars.
So, great. We now know what NOT to eat. (basically, anything that comes in a processed packet, or tin, or jar)
But what DO we eat?
That’s not a complex question. But the answer is!
Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, legumes, raw fruits and vegetables help
Good unsaturated fats: Anything which is a great source of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids - like nuts, eggs, olive oil, gingelly and sesame oil
Vitamin C rich foods: like citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice, amla, broccoli, berries and surprisingly, potato! Add the simple aloo to your diet in the mashed/baked form!
Zinc rich foods are proven to reduce acne recurrence. Add a lot of those pumpkin seeds, cashews, ragi, dal to your diet!
But there is one secret ingredient that works magic on your acne. Can you guess what that is? It's… drumroll…
The secret probiotic (well, not so secret now)
While milk is the most controversial and polarising food discussed today, the humble dahi is a lesser considered a great acne combatant, because it's chock full of probiotics. Why are probiotics necessary? Great question. It helps combat inflammation in every part of your body, including the layer below your skin, where bacteria and fester and grow causing acne breakouts. In fact, many acne antibiotics will contain probiotics as the main compound. So why not have the healthiest version of it?
Wondering how this all goes together? Here’s an anti-acne diet plan guidance for you
Linked Articles
Double Cleansing for all skin types
The Texture World of Serums
Skin Sins
Acne ‘things’ around us
Acne on various parts of your face
Anti Acne diet plan
Natural ways of treating acne
How to be skintelligent about acne
While there are various types of pimples, they can be treated effectively and naturally. In fact, some of the best skincare for adult acne treatment is natural.
Take the Skintelligent acne clearing range, for example. It has 4 sets of super botanicals. 2 treat the acne, and 2 prevent recurrence.
Zit Zapper Acne-Clearing Serum
https://beintelligent.in/products/intelligent-teens-acne-clearing-serum-15ml
Enriched with safflower seed oil, chamomile extract, tea tree leaf water, cherimoya fruit extract and wintergreen derived salicylic acid.
Treats
- Wintergreen derived salicylic acid acts on acne and dries it out
- Safflower seed is an antioxidant storehouse and lightens acne scars
Prevents Recurrence
- Chamomile acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals
- Cherimoya fruit extract help reduce the body’s oxidative stress
Apply this water based serum and seal it immediately with our anti acne all-over lotion (or any lotion) to lock in moisture and effectiveness. Suitable for all skin types. Gender agnostic, can be used by men and women.
Zit Zapper Acne-Clearing Face Cleanser
https://beintelligent.in/products/intelligent-teens-acne-clearing-face-cleanser-100-ml
A purifying cleanser enriched with tea tree oil, castor oil, glycerin, calendula and salicylic acid
Treats
- Calendula oil has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties for soothing eczema
- Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial which reduces acne causing infection
Prevents recurrence
- Glycerin naturally prevents skin from drying out retains moisture
- Castor oil naturally fights acne and is a natural cleanser
Zit Zapper Acne-Clearing Body Lotion
https://beintelligent.in/products/intelligent-teens-acne-clearing-body-lotion-200ml
Enriched with yummy blend of almond oil, wheat germ oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, tea tree oil,
Treats
- Almond oil is rich in fatty acids is a proven body acne combatant
- Wheat germ oil nourishes and replenishes dull skin
Prevents Recurrence
- Shea butter are effective moisturisers that soften skin
- Mango Butter’s protects skin against oxidative stress and sun damage
Zit Zapper Acne-Clearing Handmade Soap
https://beintelligent.in/products/intelligent-teens-acne-clearing-handmade-soap-100g
This handmade soap is enriched with active botanical extracts of calendula, chamomile and neem oil.
Treats:
- Calendula oil, which has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties for soothing eczema
- Jojoba oil, promotes collagen synthesis & controls sebum production
Prevents recurrence
- Chamomile acts as a powerful antioxidant which eliminate free radicals
- Neem oil, which naturally stimulates collagen production, treats acne and heals wounds
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