What Kinds Of Food Am I Supposed To Be Eating As A Sufferer Of Acne?

Acne can have multiple causes, from hormone swings to lack of exfoliation to your diet. A number of factors influence your skin condition. While eating a healthy diet may not be a miracle cure for acne, it can help reduce inflammation and improve healing time when you experience it. Eating foods high in nutrients can help support your skin.

Vegetables

Vegetables are high in nutrients and low in calories, which makes them healthy for you and your skin. Some of your best bets for fighting acne are vegetables that are orange, which means they are high in beta carotene, a form of vitamin A, which helps repair damaged skin tissue. As an added bonus, vegetables with beta carotene have sun-protective benefits. Leafy, green vegetables also are nutrient-dense options.

Fruits

Fruit sources such as kiwi contain vitamin C, which helps maintain collagen in your skin. When you have acne, you rely on collagen to repair damaged areas after you experience a blemish that could potentially leave a scar. Like orange vegetables, orange and yellow fruits, such as apricots, oranges and nectarines, are considered skin-friendly foods, according to MayoClinic.com.

Fish

Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation in your pores that can aggravate acne. While omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish, this helps reduce the amount of oil that clogs your pores, according to “Ladies Home Journal.” Examples of healthy fish to include in your diet include salmon and snapper. Snapper also is beneficial because it contains selenium, a compound that helps support consistent skin tone.

Foods to Avoid

While more studies have yet to be conducted, a link has been made between certain foods and the likelihood you will experience acne. According to the March 2010 issue of “Skin Therapy Letter,” drinking high volumes of cow’s milk has been linked with increased risk for experiencing acne. Also, eating a diet that has a significant amount of high-fat foods also has been linked with increased incidence of acne inflammation and severity. This includes foods that are ranked highly on the glycemic index, a measurement of how foods affect your blood sugar. Avoid eating a large amount of sweets in your daily diet as these tend to be high glycemic index foods, according to MayoClinic.com.