Do you know what are the foods that are bad for acne? We’ve all, at some point in our lives, waked up to a hideous pimple. No matter your age, acne can break out when you least expect it, and this can be embarrassing. Whether you are getting ready for a wedding or heading out with some friends for a party – it is the last thing you want to see on your face when you look in the mirror.
Recent scientific studies show that diet is critical when considering the effect that foods have on the skin. What you eat plays an important role in the appearance and health of your skin and, there are specific foods that increase the possibility of acne breakouts. Although there are some good acne treatments, it is crucial to know some primary acne-causing foods that you need to avoid.
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How does food affect the skin?
Acne and conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dryness, and so on are signs of liver dysfunction. Overburdening of the liver causes a slump in the detoxification process of the body. This slump and sluggishness of the liver cause skin conditions that can turn harmful.
Correct foods help flush toxins from our system. However, when the liver is unable to get proper nutrition and function efficiently, the body tries to flush toxins through other means like through the skin. When toxins are eliminated through the skin, they can cause pimples, acne, rashes, dermatitis, blackheads, and other harmful skin conditions.
Foods like fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidant properties and help the liver function faster and more effectively. The liver can detoxify the body faster to remain healthy and prevent skin conditions.
List Of Unhealthy Foods That Are Bad For Acne
Let us look at a few foods that are bad for acne and should be avoided.
1. Dairy
Dairy products are pro-inflammatory and can worsen existing skin conditions. If you have acne, rashes, eczema, and so on, avoid dairy and dairy products at all costs. Dairy also tends to weaken gut health and can result in leaky gut syndrome, stomach pains, and gas. Dairy products may cause food sensitivities, inflammatory response in the skin, and lactose intolerance in the system resulting in skin breakouts, pimples, and acne. Dairy and dairy products also contain the ability to clog the liver and skin.
Replace dairy products with nut milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk. These unsweetened nut kinds of milk are smooth on your liver and gastrointestinal system.
2. Refined carbs
Refined carbs are nothing but processed sugar and processed flour that break down into complex sugars. Refined carbohydrates have little nutritive value and can hamper the working of your digestive system. Sugar is food for bacteria that cause harm to your system and helps the bad bacteria grow and overtake the good bacteria in your digestive system. Bacterial conditions such as candida aid in the growth and spread of body and face acne throughout the body resulting in sensitive skin and red, patchy skin.
Refined carbs also increase the production of oil in your skin and can clog all your pores resulting in pimples and acne on the face, neck, near the lips, shoulders, and upper back.
Replace refined carbohydrates with natural sweeteners like honey, raw maple syrup, coconut nectar and so on. These naturally occurring sugar substitutes have a lesser impact on blood sugar levels and can be easily digested. They do not hurt the skin and help prevent acne and breakouts.
3. Wheat
Wheat is high in gluten and phytic acid. These ingredients are the reason it is tough to digest bread easily. Wheat is also directly related to rising gluten intolerance in a majority of the population. White flour, whole wheat flour, and so on can affect the sensitivity of the skin when not made according to specification. Consumption of pure wheat flour is helpful to the skin, but when mixed with white or refined flour, the wheat loses its nutritive value and harms the skin.
Replace wheat with amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, and so on. These whole grains are rich in vitamins and minerals and help the skin get clear while retaining moisture. Buckwheat has low glycemic levels and does not affect blood sugar levels as severely as wheat.
4. Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in grains like oats, barley, and so on. It can also be found in processed meats, condiments, and sauces. Gluten is difficult to digest and causes an unnecessary chemical reaction in the gut. These reactions do not allow the complete breakage and absorption of food particles into the blood and instead, allow undigested food to get absorbed into the blood directly.
When there is an entry of undigested food into the bloodstream, the body tries to eliminate the foreign particles through the skin. Inflammatory skin conditions, acne, rashes, breakouts, and so on are probably due to low tolerance for gluten in the body.
Replace gluten with millet, quinoa, amaranth, and gluten-free oats to clear the bloodstream of impurities and return the skin to a natural glow. You should consider opting for an acne face wash as it may clean your skin up enough to eat small portions of your favourite foods without affecting your acne.
Closing Thoughts
Also, sleep may play a big part in acne, it’s always best to rule things out before turning to food, consider making your bed and sleeping environment comfier in cases where you struggle with sleep. Opt for a mattress protector if your mattress is uncomfy, a pillow for side sleepers if you sleep on your site or even ear plugs if your room has background noise. Other things like tanning lotions can also block your pores, there are plenty of external factors which may be the reason you get acne.
The importance of your diet in maintaining your skin health cannot be over-emphasized. Try reducing your intake of junk foods, sugar, dairy products, fatty foods, and processed meats. Likewise, living a healthy lifestyle has been proven to help attain smoother skin.
Bear in mind that the acne-causing foods listed above are not exhaustive. Humans, in general, are unique, and each person reacts to different things. This is why you need to keep track of what you eat and how it affects your body.
There are other factors and things that might cause acne such as tanning lotions, not sleeping properly, sleeping on dirty pillowcases, stress, and so on. It is always adequate to rule out these external factors before turning to your diet.