Acne is frustrating and inconvenient, however, with the right approach, those breakouts can be controllable. Acne cure is possible by choosing the food wisely. Yes, you have heard it right; science is showing us that certain foods cause acne and foods that prevent acne. People who consume fewer dairy products, fewer foods with a high glycaemic index and more omega 3 fatty acids may have a lower risk of severe acne.
More research is
needed, but the diet and nutrition could indeed affect acne breakouts. Some
evidence suggests that one can reduce the appearance of acne and can even
prevent acne breakouts by eating foods and avoiding food enemies of acne. Acne
is the most common skin condition affecting around 50 million Americans. It
often attacks youngsters during puberty and is especially prevalent between the
ages of 12 to 24 years. The symptoms vary from mild to severe, and they can
have a significant impact on the quality of life of an individual who is
suffering from acne. While there is currently no acne cure, but the range of
effective treatments, including prescription medications and OTC cream and gels
are available to help reduce the severity and prevent breakouts. Acne therapies
like salicylix and Tazret gel can reduce pimples and prevent a breakout.
Lifestyle changes can also help to reduce the symptoms and prevent breakouts.
Dietary changes are one of the best homeremedies for acne.
There is no better option than replacing your dairy products with a dairy-free
alternative to reduce inflammation and bringing the body back into balance.
Foods that reduce breakouts
Research studies
focus on the food that causes acne or worsens the condition. Here are the seven
foods that cause acne. Avoid consuming these foods or limit the consumption to
support acne cure.
1. Dairy products – A lot
of research studies have found a link between dairy products and acne severity,
especially in teenagers. Young adults who regularly consume milk or have food
items made of milk are more likely to develop pimples. However, more research
is required to understand the link between milk products and acne fully. The
research studies focus on teenagers and young adults and reveal that there is a
correlation between milk and acne. It is not clear how dairy products may lead
to the development of acne, but several research studies provide evidence. Milk
is believed to cause a rise in insulin levels, which may worsen acne or
pimples. Cow’s milk contains amino acids that help the liver to produce more
IGF-1, which has been linked to the acne severity.
2. Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar– People
suffering from acne vulgaris tend to consume more refined carbohydrates as
compared to people with little or no acne.
Foods that cause acne and are a rich source of carbohydrates include
pasta, white rice, noodles, bread, cereals, crackers, sugar-sweetened
beverages, honey, maple syrup, and sugar. A study revealed that people who
frequently consume refined sugars are 30% greater risk of developing acne.
3. Foods containing Omega 6-fats – Food items containing a large amount of omega 6 fatty acids have
been linked to increased levels of inflammation associated with acne vulgaris.
A western diet containing corn and soy oils that are rich in omega 6 fats. And
a few foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids like walnuts and fatty fish
(salmon, tuna). Omega 6 fats cause inflammation which may worsen acne severity.
4. Whey Protein Powder– Whey protein is
popular amongst bodybuilders as a dietary supplement. It contains amino acids
glutamine and leucine that cause skin cell growth and help them to divide more
quickly, which may cause give rise to acne. Also, the amino acids stimulate the
body to produce higher levels of insulin which have been associated with acne
formation.
5. Fast Food – Many
studies revealed a strong link between fast food and acne formation. Diet rich in
calories, fat, and refined carbohydrate may increase acne risk. Fast food items
such as sodas, burgers, French fries, milkshakes, hot dogs, and nuggets may
increase the risk of developing acne breakouts.
6. Chocolate – Another acne trigger,
chocolate may increase the risk of developing acne; however, more research is
needed to prove that chocolate causes acne. It is still not known how chocolate
can increase acne, but the little data suggest that chocolate increases the
reactivity of the immune system to acne-causing bacteria.
7. Certain foods you are sensitive to – food sensitivity test can help determine which food causes acne or contribute to immune-related inflammation. This helps to identify which food item to eliminate from your diet. There has been a link between inflammation and acne, but still more research is required to help better understand how food causes acne. Research studies have linked certain foods to an increased risk of developing acne. However, it is important to make food choices wisely. It is probably not necessary to eliminate the foods that have been linked to acne but instead limit the consumption or balance them with nutrient-dense foods.
Heat triggers more sebum production
and accumulates toxins in the body blocks the skin pores and causes breakouts.
Read on to know acne treatments recommended by experts to prevent the summer
flare up.
Summer months make the acne worse
especially if you have acne prone skin. Or sometimes despite adhering to a
strict daily skin care routine that includes religiously removing makeup off
before bed, eating healthy and following exercise regimen, acne forms, often
unexpectedly in the summer. Dermatologists and other skin experts say when
humidity increases, our glands tend to produce more oil which leads to clogging
of pores ultimately turning to unwanted breakouts. While an annoying pimple can
arise anytime irrespective of the climate, heat, sunscreens, and excess
sweating can accelerate things, leaving, redness, spots on the skin.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent breakouts and to live an acne free life
even during heat days.
Tips to
prevent and treat Summer Acne
Apart from using salicylic acid or
benzoyl peroxide cleanser try these tips for the prevention and treatment for acne that annoys you
especially in summers:
Moisturizing is the key- Moisturizing might sound
weird especially when your skin produces too much oil, but trust on this trick.
It is important to know that maintaining a healthy skin barrier with a good
quality moisturizer is vital for skin in the summer months. Most people with
oily skin think that they can skip the moisturizing part of their skincare routine
in humid months, but this can cause the condition worse. It is wise to pick a
lightweight moisturizer made up of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide.
Exfoliation is a must- Make sure your summer skin care
products includes an exfoliating cleanser that helps to eliminate the
toxins and impurities that accumulate in your pores and ensures of healing of
acne lesions. It also helps to reduce the appearance of enlarged skin
pores. For best results, scrub your face
every few days to remove dead skin cells and increases cell turnover, leaving a
radiant glow. To address all summer skin issues including acne, dermatologists
highly recommend regular exfoliation to open up the clogged pores that cause
the skin to become rough and rough skin can’t glow. Glycolic exfoliation is
successful at improving the overall appearance of your skin especially in
summers.
Don’t wash away your
skin’s protective barrier- While cleansing or scrubbing your face, make sure you don’t
overdo. Too much cleanup can dehydrate the oily skin and cause it to produce
more oil to maintain the pH balance.
Sometimes excessive dryness
contributes to building up of skin cells, which will trap oil and clog the
pores.
Acne and Sun
Exposure
Sunscreen is a must in summer but be
careful as many of the sunscreen formulations clog pores. Make sure you pick an
oil-free sunblock if you have oily skin go with a gel-based solution instead of
cream. Apply a water-resistant sunscreen whenever you are at a beach or
whenever you are in a pool or doing outdoor activities. However, a
water-resistant sunblock is not meant to be used regularly. In addition, never
use a sunscreen on your face that is intended to use on the body. This is
because sunscreens made for facial skin are lighter and contains less oil.
Here, it is also important to note that acne medications tend not to make the
skin more sensitive to the sun. So, while using an acne medication, you need to
be extra careful while stepping out in the sun.
If you wear makeup, make sure you
apply oil-free products or products that are made for acne prone skin. Just
make sure you have enough sun protection. If you have oily, be sure to keep
your make up brushes clean and rinse away every time before use ensuring that
there are no bacteria that may be sticking out of the bristles that often clog
pores.
Proper Hydration
and Nutrition to get rid of Summer Acne
Flushing out toxins and impurities out of the
body is very important for healthy skin. To flush out impurities, it’s
important to keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water. Eat a balanced
diet which includes plenty of vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid stress and
learn to manage stress if your busy schedule is causing stress to you. If these
lifestyle modifications don’t help you get rid of the summer acne, or your
condition seems to be getting more worse, fix an appointment to a dermatologist
to find out the cause and to create a skincare regimen accordingly. He/she
might prescribe topical solutions and oral pills to control your acne. Be sure to
adhere to the treatment regimen and follow it religiously. You might have acne
due to hormonal disbalance, for which you need hormonal acne treatment.
You might have used almost all treatments
of acne that promise to clear skin, even avoided favourite foods including
chocolate and pizza, and yet, your acne keeps on showing. It is believed that
there are other things as well that may contribute to acne that you probably
are not aware of. Read on to discover seven reasons that may cause your
breakouts.
Acne is the worst, and if you are
among those 40 to 50 million people in the USA who have acne, according to the
data, then you know how frustrating it is. It is believed that there are other
things as well that may contribute to acne that you probably are not aware of.
Read on to discover seven reasons that could be causing you your breakouts. So,
what cause pimples? Hormonal imbalance and overproduction of oil are the
leading causes of acne. Your hair follicles become clogged due to excessive oil
production which gives rise to the pimple-causing bacteria, P.acnes. However,
genetics plays a crucial role in how your body responds to acne stimulating
hormones, along with certain lifestyle pattern you may be following that
contributes to worsening of acne.
Fortunately, top dermatologists and
skin care experts identify some of those surprising triggers that may cause to
have zits. So before blaming your parents for your genes, look below and meet
with some real culprits or causes of acne:
Your acne spot treatment
is making your acne worse- No doubt acne treatments are extremely beneficial,
especially those with the proven acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl
peroxide or salicylic acid. But knowing about an acne treatment that best suits
you are not enough. It is equally important to know when to use it, how often
to apply and what is the duration of the treatment. If you are undergoing treatment of acne,
you have heard or might be using a benzoyl acid formulation, and it is commonly
found an ingredient in topical treatment for acne. According to dermatologists,
the anti-acne formula takes 3 to 4 hours to work and if any other topical
preparation comes in contact with it, will likely inhibit the active ingredient
from working appropriately. It is advisable to wait for at least an hour before
applying a moisturizer or sunscreen to get the best results.
Your pillowcase- it might seem unrelated
to you but consider the fact that your face rests on a pillowcase for almost
eight hours while getting a night sleep. So, if you are not changing your
pillowcase often, you might be lying on bacteria’s, dust and dead skin cells.
Pillowcase and towel are some things that repeatedly come in contact with your
face, and if not washed between uses, you can make them ideal sources of
bacterial accumulation.
Popping a pimple– Squeezing or picking an
already existing can irritate your skin even more and leave a permanent scar.
Keeping your hands from making contact with your pimple will help prevent
bacteria from spreading to the rest of your skin.
Cleansers that are not
according to your skin type- In the war against acne, finding the acne cleanser for an
acne prone skin that suits your skin means you have already won half the battle.
Dermatologists recommend cleansers with acne fighting ingredients like alpha
hydroxy acid, which unclog the pores without being irritating. Benzoyl peroxide
is another acne fighting ingredient that has been around for a long time. It is
loaded with antibacterial properties and works to dry pimples. If you have oily
skin, try the one with salicylic acid that can help to exfoliate blocked pores.
If you are someone who believes in a natural solution, can go with tea tree,
which is well known for its ant-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Exfoliation can do more
harm than good– If you have a mindset that scrubbing your skin with rough exfoliants,
or cleansing brushes will make your skin clean. But let me tell you that your
acne is only going to get worse. To get rid of pimples, it is important to
repair your skin’s protective barrier to keep the bacteria away and not causing
worsening by scrubbing the zits out of it.
Your hair products could
be the reason- Your shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products may contain
sulfates, silicones and other strong ingredients that may cause breakouts on
your face. Such ingredients can seep into the skin pores and logged them,
resulting in pimples along your hairline and other areas of your forehead.
The sun- Excessive exposure to sun not only cause tanning or increase your risk of skin cancer but also triggers breakouts on especially with acne prone skin. Heat can cause your oil glands to become overactive, which can contribute to pimple formation, says dermatologist. To avoid the situation, it is best to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing whenever you step out in the sun. To make sure you don’t break out further, use an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen.
Lurkers are a form of pimples which lay under the skin. It occurs due to the combination various acne causes like clogging of skin pores, dead skin cells and excessive production of sebum oil etc. Basically, lurkers are very painful pimples which grow deep below the skin’s surface, but they can be cured by the effective acne medication. You can get rid of this problem by the natural or home solutions too. Continue Reading
Acne of any type can be upsetting, but particularly severe acne can be very depressing. Severe acne is inflamed, often painful, and can happen on both the face and the body. It’s important to start an acne treatment soon because they can often cause scarring. These can be tough to treat, but with the right medications and some perseverance, you really can see a huge improvement in your acne. Continue Reading
Acne is a painful skin problem, not only it makes the skin ugly, it also causes painful skin issues. There are several treatment options available in the market. Here you can find the best acne medications and acne treatment options to treat your acne. These options are very easy to follow and without causing any harm to the surrounding skin area and you will get the perfect results. Continue Reading
Acne is the most common skin problem among young adults. Everyone might have been a victim of acne once in their lifetime. There are some acne risk factors, and it requires patience and time to heal. Many acne medications are available that promise to reduce the appearance of acne, but not all of these works. It is important to find a treatment that incorporates effective acne fighting ingredients. Your acne medications should be clinically supported and tested. Everyone deserves to have clear skin, and acne treatments help you get it. Read to learn more about acne, and its treatment options.
Know about a pimple
A pimple is a skin condition that starts with a skin pore getting plugged up. A pore consists of a small hair root and oil glands at its base. The skin cells and oil stick together and form the serum that plugs the pores. The body immune system then tries to open the pores to cause a swelling or a pimple. If the pores are closed, then it forms a whitehead, and if it is open, then it causes a black head.
Acne causes and risk factors:
The exact cause of acne is not known. Usually, some factors are blamed to cause acne:
Hormonal changes: common in teenage girls and women.
Family history: if both the parents have acne, it is most common for you to have acne
Greasy or oily beauty products: if you are using creamy and greasy lotions then they are more likely to cause plugging of the pores and cause a pimple
Stress: it is not the cause of acne but if you stressed acne was bound to become worse
Too much friction and pressure on the skin: the friction is caused by items like mobile phones. Harsh pillow covers and helmets, etc.
Risk factors of acne are varied. Most likely, acne is caused due to hereditary and hygiene reasons. However, acne can become worse under the following conditions:
The changing hormone levels in the girls and women just two to three days before the period starts.
Use of chemical-containing skin and hair care products. These products are laden with chemicals that might create and allergic reactions on the sensitive skin.
Pollution may also cause irritation on the sensitive skin and lead to skin breakouts. The pollutants might clog the pores of the skin causing an acne breakout.
Wearing tight fitted clothes in summers can act as a breeding ground for the harmful bacteria. When sweat combines with tight fitted clothes, then it can surely become one of the biggest risk factors of acne breakout.
Rubbing and irritation on the skin can also cause acne breakouts, like shoulder pads (in football players), Helmets, bra straps, the turtleneck dresses. These irritate the skin that may further result in inflammation and acne breakouts
Washing the face too often with harsh soaps can also prove to be a great risk factor for acne. The soap washes of any moisture from the skin and may cause irritation on the sensitive parts of the face. The chemical may cause allergic reactions and may develop to form pimples.
Touch the face frequently with hands is also a big reason for the acne breakout. When we touch our face with our hands, the dirt and microbes from the hands are transferred to the face and may cause acne.
People who sweat a lot are also prone to have acne.
People who work in close contact with the chemicals can also develop skin allergic to various chemicals.
People taking certain medications containing corticosteroids, barbiturates, and lithium can also have a risk of getting acne.
The first part of any treatment plan is the diagnosis. It is important to start with understanding acne, itself. The severity of acne determines these best acne treatment. If you are dealing with mild acne and experience occasional breakouts, you may self-diagnose the condition and treat it with right acne products. In case you have severe acne, it is essential to make an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible and get the right treatment done for your acne problems.
Treatment of acne:
Acne medications are different for different people. Those who have acne prone skin should visit the doctor to get an idea of the problem. Only a doctor will be able to suggest a medication after the thorough check-up.
Some acne treatment and care tips:
The common acne medications are mostly the antibiotics, tretinoin, isotretinoin, and clindamycin, etc. The doctor might prescribe you the topical or oral medications or both
Always apply medication away from eyes
Shampoo hair regularly and keep it away from the face
4. Acne occurs in men due to excess shaving, sweating or due to health or hormonal problems. The best treatment for acne in men is using skin cleansers to remove the dead skin layers from the skin
Never squeeze the pimples as they may cause scars
Hygiene is very necessary, hence wash face daily two times with a mild face wash
Conclusion:
Acne can turn into a very severe condition if not treated on time. There are several risk factors of acne eruption, and the base of the treatment relies on the removal of the risk factors. So, one should know the reason behind the problem to find a cure for it. Buy acne medications after consulting a dermatologist and use it to get rid of acne problems. Furthermore, follow the tips given above to ensure a healthy and acne-free skin.