Fight Blemishes and Preserve Clear Skin With Simple Diet Changes
At PiperWai, we want to help you have better skin. Diet is very important, as you will read in this article, but our scentless body wash can also help because it is formulated for the most sensitive skin. Even if your skin isn’t sensitive, it’s lack of additives and chemicals will keep your skin clean and free of substances that clog pores.
While you take care of your largest organ, don’t forget to feed your other ones properly. Your diet can have a huge impact on your skin health. Eating a lot of deep-fried foods or anything high in fat, sugar, or dairy can contribute to breakouts. Does that mean you need to avoid those things altogether? Not necessarily. But, if you want clearer skin, one of the best things you can do is to manage your diet and make changes to promote healthier, cleaner skin.
Let’s take a closer look at the connection between your diet, what you should be eating, and some mistakes you should avoid for better skin.
What Is the Diet-Acne Connection?
You’ve probably heard the saying “you are what you eat,” but who knew that referenced your skin, too? Why is there such a connection between what you consume and your chances of experiencing a breakout?
To answer that, you have to consider how different foods cause changes in your body. High glycemic foods, for example, raise the blood glucose level in your body. That spikes insulin levels, which stimulates the production of androgen hormones, which tend to cause acne. Some examples of foods with a high glycemic index include:
- Sugar
- White rice
- Juice
- White bread
- Pastries
Other foods, like dairy products and chocolate, can cause the same hormonal imbalances. They can also cause inflammation in your body, which causes more oil production on the skin. Since you know now that acne is caused when your follicles are blocked, you can only imagine that too much oil (sebum) can create big problems. Bacteria buildup and clogged sweat glands are also the culprit in armpit acne, a common and uncomfortable phenomenon in underarms.
What You Should Include in Your Diet
So, what should you be eating for clearer skin? First, keep in mind that combating acne with changes in your diet isn’t a “quick fix”. Making lifestyle changes to what you eat is one of the best ways to establish long-term skin health and reduce the risk of breakouts.
The best diet for clear pores is one that contains a lot of fruits and vegetables. Spinach and other dark, leafy greens should make up a large portion of what you eat each day. Other skin-friendly choices include:
- Quinoa
- Turkey
- Brown rice
- Blueberries
- Tomatoes
- Sweet potatoes
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Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids should also play a central role in what you eat. Fish, eggs, and nuts can give you the glowing skin you want without producing too much oil and contributing to a breakout.
Just like our food diet, what we feed our skin matters. For armpits, PiperWai’s Underarm Oil creates a pH-balanced environment with a soothing blend of nutrient-rich oils, and an essential oil blend containing antibacterial properties to help with those ingrown hairs and bacteria buildup.
Don’t stress too much over creating the “perfect” diet for your skin. Instead, focus on balanced nutrition each day. You don’t need to deprive yourself of the things you love to eat. Just make sure the majority of your diet consists of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
What to Avoid
Even when you’re trying to eat healthy for better skin, not everything is always as it seems. Be sure to educate yourself on foods that might seem healthy, but may not be the best for your skin.
For example, it’s easy to buy convenience products that are meant to be healthy. But, even “healthy” pre-packaged items can contain ingredients that will do more harm than good. Pre-made juices, for example, often contain added sugars and other ingredients that could raise your glycemic index. Try juicing or making fresh smoothies at home so you have full control over the ingredients.
Even some foods that might be generally “healthy” aren’t always great for fighting acne. Instant oatmeal, potatoes, pineapple, and popcorn are all relatively good for you, but they all are high on the glycemic index and can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to breakouts.
Finally, pay attention to what you drink, too. Sugary drinks like soda can do just as much damage as certain foods. If you’re prone to breakouts, skip the Coca-Cola at dinner and opt for water instead. Staying hydrated with water will keep your skin healthy, glowing, and hydrated without clogging your follicles and producing excess sebum.
Your diet should only be one part of how you take care of your skin. Establishing a solid skincare routine each day will make it easier to avoid breakouts and enjoy clearer skin. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a dermatologist about the best products for your skin, specifically. In the meantime, keep these dietary changes in mind and within a short time, you’re bound to see some changes to the way your skin looks and feels.
Citations
Acne Vulgaris: A Disease of Western Civilization | Acne | JAMA Dermatology.
What Role Does Diet Play in Acne?
Eating For Beauty: The Best Diet For Healthy, Clear Skin
Anti-acne diet: What to eat for clearer skin and fewer pimples