Do you struggle with acne on a daily basis? You have got all the essentials in place, light-weight creams, active serums, gels, acne spot correctors and more. But, even with a well-planned skincare routine, those pesky zits may still show up.
Instead of blaming your skincare, it is time to reconsider what you are putting on your plate. Acne care begins from the inside, as what you eat impacts your skin in more ways than one.
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HT Lifestyle reached out to Dr Ridhima Arora, dermatologist at Malik Radix Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, who shed light on how diet impacts your skin, as it is not just about surface-level treatment.
“The food you eat causes the inside of your body to change, and this in turn affects the severity of your acne,” she explained. It suggests that acne is not a skin-deep issue; it is much more than that. So prevention and treatment need to consider diet as well.
What foods do you need to avoid to prevent acne?
First, let’s understand what you should give a second thought to, and preferably keep off your plate, for clearer skin. Certain foods trigger insulin spikes, hormone imbalances and inflammation, all of which can lead to breakouts.
The dermatologist shared a brief guide of acne-triggering foods, naming them and explaining why these foods are unhealthy for your skin:
1. Sugar and refined carbs
- White bread, sugary drinks, biscuits, and instant noodles sharply raise blood sugar.
- They are high-glycemic foods, causing rapid insulin spikes.
- Increased insulin triggers androgen production, making oil glands overactive.
- Excess oil clogs pores, allowing bacteria to multiply and cause breakouts.
2. Dairy
- Skin milk triggers acne more than whole milk
- Contains whey protein and growth hormones that interfere with hormones.
- Avoid skim milk for 6 weeks to check if your skin gets better.
What foods do you need to eat to treat acne?
One of the main causes of acne, the dermatologist reminded, is inflammation. The goal should be to reduce inflammation so that the skin can be treated from within. Dr Arora shared a few foods that help to reduce inflammation and eliminate acne-causing bacteria:
- Omega-3-rich foods: Walnuts, flaxseeds, and fish help to reduce inflammation.
- Zinc-rich foods: Pumpkin seeds and legumes directly eliminate acne-causing bacteria.
- Antioxidant-rich foods: Spinach, carrots, and tomatoes
- Beverage: Green tea naturally decreases the amount of oil (sebum) production on skin.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
