Will my diet help my acne?
I am 20 years old, and still have really bad teenage skin. Its very oily in some places and very dry around my nose. Anyways, I have tried lods of products on my skin to get rid of it, and nothing has worked.my usual diet would consist of junk food, caffine and chocolate!! but i have changed my Diet. I eat cereal for breakfast and have salad for lunch and then salad for evening meal but I have fish or meat with it. Throughout the day I just drink water, water, and more water!! I am doing this for 20 days to see if it makes a difference to my skin. My problem is that I love mayonnaise and I always put like 2 tablespoons of mayonaise on my salad. I know its fatening and everything, but will this just make my "nice skin" diet a waste of time? because of the fatty greasiness of it? please advise me 
Cheers xxxx
dermatologists have been debating for years about whether food affects your skin or not. now-a-days, most dermatologists agree that the food that you eat could have a great impact on your skin. if you think about it, the toxins in your blood stream, that the liver can not always filter, are trying to escape and will almost always do so on the face. definitely changing your diet for the better will improve the over-all look of your skin. just remember, when cutting back or eating limited variations of food to keep supplements in mind to keep your body full of the vitamins that it needs.
a small thing that might help, keep hands away from face! resting your head in your hands or excessively wiping the oils off your face will spread bacteria.
from what you have told us, i can tell you that your skin is severely dehydrated, it’s not dry (lacking oils, this is a skin type like oily, normal/combination, or dry) its lacking water. staying hydrated is the best way to prevent genetic aging and if the dehydration is as severe as cracking or flaking skin, then bacteria can get under the skin and infect it or create more zits. find a moisturizer that offers great hydration. Vichy (#1 derm brand sold in canada) has a line specifically for dehydrated skin called Aqualia Thermal, which is good for all skin types. another great one would be Biotherm (#1 skin care brand in canada), their moisturizers are VERY hydrating and all of their products are divided into skin types. now you have told us that you are oily in some places, so to tell if your skin is oily or normal/combination, im going to ask where you are most oily. see, skin types are divided by the amount of pores and their location on the face. if you have pores and oilier skin on the nose and T-zone (forehead nose and chin), then you have a normal/combination skin. however, if the pores extend past the nose to the cheeks then you have an oily skin. a lot of the time the excess oils is what can clog pores, but this does not mean that the oils are bad, just that there is too much, the oils are there to create a barrier and protect the skin which is why toners are important. when you wash your face, you wash away this barrier and your skin is left unprotected until your skin can make it back in 2-3 hours. that means that your face is unprotected from bacteria, pollution and free-radicals for up to 3 hours. an oil-free alcohol-free toner like biotherm’s immediately restores the barrier to a balanced level.if you use a cleanser that has a more acidic pH then it does not strip the barrier so i would suggest using a mattifying product to help with the extra oils like Neostrata’s mattifying fluid. it is the BEST one that i have used so far. their toners specifically for people with acne, and they contain glycolic acid which helps the skin to shed only the dead skin and keep bacteria from burrowing under the dead skin cells and prevent new acne from coming up.
another thing i would suggest is to chart your cycles. you chart your basal body temperature, check the cervical fluid and the position of your cervix everyday to determine where you are in your cycle. (doing this is used for contraception, conception, and woman’s health monitoring) the reason that i suggest this is that your acne might be hormonal. if you break out around ovulation or during your mensies, you know that it’s your hormones that are making you break out. to help reduce the breakouts get a hormonal balancer. for this you would have to speak to a woman’s health nurse and they can suggest something depending on what hormones are imbalanced and what ones make you react more. (ever wonder why people on birth control generally have clearer skin? their hormones are balanced and on track though i would NEVER suggest birth control for any reason, especially for acne. birth control damages more than just the body’s reproductive system) acne caused by hormones will not be affected much by your skin care regime though.
sorry i did not get more specific about the mayo but i thought i could offer more options to help treat the condition that you were initially worried about. if you wish to know more about these products, skin analysis, clarification (i did not have time to go over what i wrote) or charting please do not hesitate to message me
April 27th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Your right about how junk food is bad for the skin, and eating healthy should help. go to the doctor and ask for his advise…he always knows best.
References :
April 27th, 2010 at 2:19 am
A little mayo isn’t going to mess up your diet or your skin. In fact, it will help you keep on your diet without hating it so much. You may consider making your own mayo or at least buying the light stuff if you’re worried.
As for your skin, the best advice I can give you is to make sure your using a light moisturizer. I know it seems counterproductive because your skin is oily, but you need it to keep your skin happy!
The change in diet is a great idea. You’re definitely going to see a change in your skin soon. Just keep in mind that a lot of what your skin is doing is related to hormones, so please don’t get discouraged when you randomly break out. Good Luck!
References :
April 27th, 2010 at 3:02 am
I’m sure many of you have prepared for a major event in your life such as prom night, wedding, graduation or some other special occasion when you were hoping to look your best. But when you wake up that day, you find the largest blackhead, whitehead, or pimple in the world on the most prominent part of your face. Horror of horrors! You think to yourself, “I shouldn’t have had those chips, or fast food, or junk food the other night because they probably caused this.” Can any of you relate to this story? Well, if you thought that it was the bad food that caused that unwanted guest on your face you are wrong. Neither junk food (including sweets), bad diet, nor dirt actually causes acne.
There is no statistical proof that junk food like pizza, chocolate, fried foods, or food containing caffeine or fats are the cause of acne. Acne is a consequence of overly excited sebaceous glands.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is caused by four key triggers: excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. The excess oil, also known as sebum, is oil produced by the skin to avert it from drying out. When this excess oil is unable to surge to the skin’s surface the result is clogged pores, which leads to acne. Inflammation is caused by Propionibacterium, an acne bacteria, which is found on everyone’s skin. When there is a little inflammation the excess sebum is blocked near the skin’s surface, resulting in either a blackhead or whitehead. However, when the excess sebum is blocked deeper in the skin then a pimple will be the result of the inflammation.
References :
http://blog.myskin.com/expert/fact-or-fable-junk-food-causes-skin-to-break-out/
April 27th, 2010 at 3:40 am
No mayonnaise probably won’t make a difference but should cary on drinking lots of water and i’m sure you’ll see improvements! …hoped this helped! Oh yeahand make sure you do cut down on the junk food.
References :
x
April 27th, 2010 at 4:20 am
You can go and see your doctor, and he/she should be able to give you something for this.
Also your diet will play a biggish part in it. If you cut back on all of the mayonnaise,and junk food, and keep on with the salad then you should notice a change; though not straight away, it could take some time..
References :
April 27th, 2010 at 4:28 am
hi
Acne is caused by the combination of a high sebum production and pinched off sebum canals. If the pinching off of sebum canals is eliminated, you will get NO new pimples whatsoever
Acne (pimples) has some relationship with nutrition, however there is little credible research providing links between certain food groups and acne
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, flaxseed or hempseed oil.
What about chocolates
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.
how treat
there are many products for acne treatment and neutrogena skin ID is one of them that i prefer to use for more information here http://www.skinid.com/econsumer/clearskin/index.view
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).
END
References :
http://www.everydiet.org
April 27th, 2010 at 4:56 am
While it’s true that junk food, chocolate, and caffeine doesn’t exactly cause a break out, it’s true that any of these things in excess is bad for you, makes you gain weight, and can cause inflammation, which can eventually lead to an imbalance and generally unhealthy looking skin.
Everyone has to find the right skin care routine that works for them. Sometimes we have to switch it up as we grow older and change. Here are the necessary procedures that needs to be done weekly for healthy skin:
1. Exfoliate:
You must remove dead skin cell on the skin surface with gentle exfoliation, otherwise the skin cells can clog your pores and cause break outs. You can mix equal sugar and extra virgin olive oil to make a moisturizing exfoliator . Don’t worry, the olive oil will not cause a break out. The molecules in the olive oil and larger than your pores, thus it won’t clog them. But remember, it has to be EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil. If you’re still worried, buy an exfoliating product from the store.
2. Face Wash:
For oily/combo skin I recommend washing your face twice daily with a foaming gel wash. Try to find one with as many natural ingredients as possible to prevent the soap from drying out your skin. When your skin is dry it produces more oil to compensate for the dryness, creating the uneven Skin texture you described.
3. Tone:
Tone your skin to remove excess oil and leftover cleanser after you wash. This makes a big difference when it comes to break outs. I use a mixture of a few drop of pure tea tree oil and water. Pure tea tree oil is incredibly strong and must be heavily diluted. You might want to start with 1 drop of tea tree oil in a small container. Tea tree oil moisturizes, tones, and actually heals break outs and fades dark spots. Avoid toners that contain alcohol and harsh ingredients.
What to Eat:
Diet helps, and a little mayo is not going to hurt you, just don’t overdo it. I would recommend slowly replacing mayo with healthy oils that are good for your skin, like extra virgin olive oil, which is Delicious on a salad when mixed with herbs and spices.
If you’re not drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water per day, start now. Dehydration can dry out your skin and hair.
Also, remember that "You are what you eat." If you eat healthy, your skin will be soft and healthy. Blueberries, blackberries, and plums are loaded with antioxidants which reverse aging.
Salmon, Walnuts, Canola oil, and flax seed provide necessary essential fatty acids which make skin supple. These foods contain omega 3 and omega 6 which are essential for healthy skin.
Cold-press, extra virgin, and expeller process oils are very good for both yoru skin and your body, you incorporate about two tablespoons a day into your diet.
Whole-what bread, muffins, and cereals are better for you than "white" ones, which raise insulin levels and can cause inflammation and break outs on the skin.
And finally, drink green tea, which is loaded with anti oxidents and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for the skin.
References :
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-food?page=3
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071109201438.htm
April 27th, 2010 at 5:36 am
dermatologists have been debating for years about whether food affects your skin or not. now-a-days, most dermatologists agree that the food that you eat could have a great impact on your skin. if you think about it, the toxins in your blood stream, that the liver can not always filter, are trying to escape and will almost always do so on the face. definitely changing your diet for the better will improve the over-all look of your skin. just remember, when cutting back or eating limited variations of food to keep supplements in mind to keep your body full of the vitamins that it needs.
a small thing that might help, keep hands away from face! resting your head in your hands or excessively wiping the oils off your face will spread bacteria.
from what you have told us, i can tell you that your skin is severely dehydrated, it’s not dry (lacking oils, this is a skin type like oily, normal/combination, or dry) its lacking water. staying hydrated is the best way to prevent genetic aging and if the dehydration is as severe as cracking or flaking skin, then bacteria can get under the skin and infect it or create more zits. find a moisturizer that offers great hydration. Vichy (#1 derm brand sold in canada) has a line specifically for dehydrated skin called Aqualia Thermal, which is good for all skin types. another great one would be Biotherm (#1 skin care brand in canada), their moisturizers are VERY hydrating and all of their products are divided into skin types. now you have told us that you are oily in some places, so to tell if your skin is oily or normal/combination, im going to ask where you are most oily. see, skin types are divided by the amount of pores and their location on the face. if you have pores and oilier skin on the nose and T-zone (forehead nose and chin), then you have a normal/combination skin. however, if the pores extend past the nose to the cheeks then you have an oily skin. a lot of the time the excess oils is what can clog pores, but this does not mean that the oils are bad, just that there is too much, the oils are there to create a barrier and protect the skin which is why toners are important. when you wash your face, you wash away this barrier and your skin is left unprotected until your skin can make it back in 2-3 hours. that means that your face is unprotected from bacteria, pollution and free-radicals for up to 3 hours. an oil-free alcohol-free toner like biotherm’s immediately restores the barrier to a balanced level.if you use a cleanser that has a more acidic pH then it does not strip the barrier so i would suggest using a mattifying product to help with the extra oils like Neostrata’s mattifying fluid. it is the BEST one that i have used so far. their toners specifically for people with acne, and they contain glycolic acid which helps the skin to shed only the dead skin and keep bacteria from burrowing under the dead skin cells and prevent new acne from coming up.
another thing i would suggest is to chart your cycles. you chart your basal body temperature, check the cervical fluid and the position of your cervix everyday to determine where you are in your cycle. (doing this is used for contraception, conception, and woman’s health monitoring) the reason that i suggest this is that your acne might be hormonal. if you break out around ovulation or during your mensies, you know that it’s your hormones that are making you break out. to help reduce the breakouts get a hormonal balancer. for this you would have to speak to a woman’s health nurse and they can suggest something depending on what hormones are imbalanced and what ones make you react more. (ever wonder why people on birth control generally have clearer skin? their hormones are balanced and on track though i would NEVER suggest birth control for any reason, especially for acne. birth control damages more than just the body’s reproductive system) acne caused by hormones will not be affected much by your skin care regime though.
sorry i did not get more specific about the mayo but i thought i could offer more options to help treat the condition that you were initially worried about. if you wish to know more about these products, skin analysis, clarification (i did not have time to go over what i wrote) or charting please do not hesitate to message me
References :
cosmetics skin professional
vichy school
neostrata school
biotherm school
personal experience (i have very oily skin myself and have faught the same battle that you are fighting)
lived with a women’s health practitioner for two years
April 27th, 2010 at 6:16 am
Everyone’s answers are pretty acurate, except for one thing.
DON’T EAT OLIVE OIL.
I was told by someone that olive oil has something in it that triggers your hormones leading to acne. Before i used to eat evoo (extra virgin olive oil) with everything but not that i’ve cut it out i have noticed a difference.
Now it’s pretty hard to find a sub for evoo but try coconut oil, its the best and it tastes pretty good.
Also consider accupuncture, i did 3 sessions and i noticed a difference cause it takes away the stress and calms your lungs(which are assiciated with your skin). Try going to a chinatown in your city.
The Chinese health stores also have stuff for acne, just asked them and i’m sure you’ll find some good for good prices, but just so you know it sometimes takes a while to work but trust me it works. I have pretty severe acne but it’s starting to not be as red and i noticed that the first week i started everything.
Try doing yoga as well and pilates it takes away stress and helps you get fit.
Good luck =D
References :
April 27th, 2010 at 6:48 am
Yes your diet will help your acne, you are what you eat x
References :