Clear skin diet: Foods to avoid
How to Get Clear Skin?
For many people, acne can be a real problem. It can affect a person’s self-confidence and cause serious psychological issues. It can happen either as an adolescent or as an adult (the most common age for this is during the late teens and early twenties). The best thing you can do if you suffer from acne is to follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly in order to get clear skin.
We all know that with age, our skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. In addition, many of us suffer from certain conditions such as acne, blemishes, spots, dark circles, large pores and unwanted fat. Luckily, there are a wide variety of anti-ageing products available in the market today, each of which is capable of providing you with a radiant and clear complexion in a matter of days or weeks.
With acne being one of the most common skin conditions, it is also an embarrassing one. While genetics and hormones have a major role to play in it, a diet rich in junk and oily food can also aggravate this condition.
You always need to keep your skin hydrated. If you have oily or dry skin, then it is even more essential that you do so. Chamomile is one of the most popular and proven home remedies to get clear skin. It's a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial herb that also has antifungal properties. Just mix 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile with 1 cup of water and boil it on low heat for 15 minutes. Use this drink as your early morning mania.
Foods to Avoid in Order to Get a Clear Skin
A blemish-free skin is the dream of everyone. Even if you don’t have acne, you always want to have your skin look better. Flawless skin can never be achieved without a proper diet. However, it’s hard to know what you should or shouldn’t eat, so we decided to help you with that. Here are some foods to avoid in order to get clear skin:
- Milk and Dairy Products
There are certain foods that need to be avoided for the sake of your skin. One of these is dairy products. Dairy originates from animals, and since our body is not capable of digesting it properly, consuming too much of it results in increased acne breakouts. Milk sugar, known as lactose, is one of the major culprits behind acne.
Milk contains a fat called saturated fat. Saturated fat leads to acne development. Foods that are high in saturated fat are associated with high concentrations of IGF (insulin growth factor), which stimulates the production of the sex hormones that increase acne production. When the glands produce too much oil, acne is formed. Acne breakouts can occur anywhere on the body, but most often they appear on the face, back, shoulders, and chest.
- Chocolate
Chocolate is a highly toxic food for your skin. You may love this sweet treat, but too much could be damaging your skin. Caffeine and theobromine (a stimulant that also acts as a diuretic) can mess up your digestive system, leading to pimples on your body. Studies show that people who eat chocolate regularly are more prone to acne than others. So, it’s best if you stay away from them.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is responsible for dehydrating your skin. Consuming too much caffeine can ultimately result in premature ageing and various skin issues. Cortisol production in the body increases when you consume caffeine in the form of coffee, cold coffee, tea, etc. High cortisol levels trigger sebum production and the extra oil can easily clog your pores, leading to the development of inflammation and bacteria- resulting in acne and skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
- High Glycemic Index Foods
The correlation between skin health and diet quality has been well established. Healthy diets make people look beautiful from within, revealing their impact on the outside. Research has been conducted that shows how high glycemic foods affect our skin.
In another study conducted, researchers found that participants who consumed high glycemic index foods suffered from increased instances of acne and other skin troubles. On the other hand, participants who consumed low GI foods had healthy and glowing skin. This significant finding will help consumers make better dietary choices that directly impact their well-being.
- Whey Protein
If you have been consuming whey protein regularly, you might have noticed some unsolicited side effects like acne. Whey is fast becoming a popular protein supplement for its muscle-building properties. It is a by-product of the cheese fermentation process. Whey has the ability to trigger acne because of its high levels of branched-chain amino acids and leucine. It should be noted that people who are allergic to dairy products are also likely to develop acne after eating whey protein.
Must-Include Foods
The number and type of foods you need to consume in order to see results can vary depending on how severe your acne is. Consult with your doctor to determine what diet plan will work best for you.
While acne is triggered by many factors, including stress, genetics, and hormones, it’s important to remember that you can control your skin issues by avoiding and including certain foods. Below are some foods that may help clear your skin.
Grapes: Grapes can actually help exfoliate your skin when consumed with the skin on. An antioxidant found in grapes helps in preventing the growth of bacteria that causes acne.
Fatty fishes: These types of fishes are a great source of omega-3 fats that help in managing inflammatory skin conditions like acne, skin ulcers, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.
Bananas: Full of potassium, this fruit may reduce the number of pimples you get by reducing inflammation. Additionally, it can improve hydration levels in your body.
According to a study published in the Journal of Dermatology, a diet rich in certain foods may help to clear up acne. Researchers noted that while the scientific community has been primarily focused on factors such as genetics and microbial aspects, diet could be a major factor.
What the study reveals:
The researchers took a look at various dietary patterns and their association with acne. In all, there were 225 young men included in the analysis. The participants ranged from 17 to 25 years of age and all of them had been diagnosed with acne vulgaris. The researchers looked at a variety of factors including body mass index, dairy intake, fatty acid intake, glycemic load, glycemic index, and fruit intake. The researchers also took a look at inflammatory bowel disease which is known to have a connection with acne.
Take Away
Clear and healthy skin is the dream of everyone. If you want to achieve flawless skin with a glowing complexion, one of the best options is to use a set of natural skincare products that will effectively remove impurities from your skin.