Are you dealing with Acne?

Problematic skin is…well, problematic and those who have dealt with an acne flare up know how crappy it can make you feel. The thing about our skin is it can show us what's going on on the inside by communicating through skin conditions like acne.

Some of the biggest internal drivers behind acne include hormonal imbalances, gut issues, inflammation within the body, poor detoxification processes from the liver and even poor nutrition. Acne can be a sign of hormonal conditions like PCOS, particularly if you find you have recurring acne around the mouth and jaw line.

Acne can be managed through dietary and lifestyle modifications, with addressing your diet being one of the biggest ways to alleviate symptoms. Somethings you may want to focus on include:

Follow a low GI diet:

High GI foods like sugar, white breads and pastas, processed foods like chips, biscuits and lollies can indirectly cause a sebum imbalance which can then contribute to an infection and bacteria in the skin, resulting in acne. By switching to a low GI diet that includes foods like wholemeal bread, high fibre fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and avocados, you are less likely to disrupt the sebum production which will help to reduce the appearance of acne.

Avoid dairy:

Where possible, switch to dairy free options like nut/ plant based milks, as some dairy products contain hormones that can result in a hormonal imbalance within the body. This can affect hormones like progesterone and testosterone and increase the chance of acne appearing on the skin.

Increase water intake:

The body needs water, it’s essential for everyone no matter how big or small you are. Water helps to service every organ in the body, with the skin being the last organ water favours. So, if you aren’t drinking enough water each day then there is a good chance your skin isn’t being hydrated the way it should be. Water helps the body to flush out toxins and can help keep the skin clear. Aim for 2-3L per day.

Focus on improving your gut health:

The skin and gut are closely linked. When there’s inflammation in the gut, there is almost always inflammation in the skin, which can present as acne. Some ways to combat this include decreasing sugar and processed foods, avoiding alcohol and excessive caffeine intake as well as increasing fibre by eating a diverse range of fruit and veggies at each meal and snack. You may like to incorporate good bacterias into your diet through the likes of kombucha, sauerkraut and kimchi for example.

If you are struggling with the likes of acne, pcos, hormonal imbalances and gut issues, you can reach out to Latoya via email; latoya@thevirtualnutritionist.com.au