We're not saying to make every meal a boring blur, but we are suggesting that too much spice -- think cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, chili and more -- may exacerbate acne. Luckily, there are loads of other spices and toppers that add flavor without causing a flare-up, like toying with herbs (thyme, rosemary, mint) and low-sugar condiments. Also, when you're dining on typically spicy cuisines, like Mexican or Indian, ask the waiter to keep it mild or put the spice on the side. This way, you are in control of how much heat you put on your plate.
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Choose veggies wisely
Veggies with high-water content (cucumbers, for example) are said to help acne, and it makes pure sense: Water, we know, is key to flushing-out those clog-poring toxins, plus cucumbers have the added bonus of being "cooling" -- thus, effective in calming down the inflammation associated with pimples. And, reach for orange delights (carrots, sweet potatoes) that are loaded with vitamin A -- good for overall detox (skin and body alike). Of course, you can dip carrots and cukes into olive-and-bean-boasting hummus or low-fat, Greek yogurt. Or, start juicing -- and add herbs into the mix for added health benefit. Sweet potatoes are divine when steamed, mashed or sliced into baked fries -- drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with cinnamon.
You live to eat; you eat to live. But eating a healthy skin diet to reduce acne? Indeed. It's not quite the adage of, "you are what you eat," but it is true that what you eat affects the way you look -- and feel.
If you eat too much of any one thing, chances are high it will show -- literally -- in your skin. According to dermatologist Elliott Weiss, M.D., of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, new research suggests that diet may play a role in exacerbating acne. "One interesting observation is that acne is predominantly an issue in societies that follow a western diet (high refined sugar, high refined grain products), whereas societies that follow a hunter-and-gatherer type of diet (meat, vegetables, whole grains, no refined or packaged food) don't have a problem with pimples." Which makes sense, considering that a major contributor to acne is follicular hyperkeratosis (proliferation), which leads to plugging of the follicle and inflammation; diet, in fact, can contribute to these processes.
So, what's an acne-prone girl to do? First, says Dr. Weiss: Avoid filling up on yummy, sugary foods, excessive amounts of dairy and processed grains. This will help your complexion -- and your waistline, to boot. And second, eat a balanced, healthy for your skin diet full of vitamins and minerals that work to keep you strong, healthy and gorgeous from the inside out.
But remember, changing your healthy skin diet alone won't cure your acne or keep you completely blemish free, but it is a great place to start on your path to a perfect complexion. Here, with help from nutritionist Lara Field, MS, RD, CPS, LSN, we share the seven rules you should live by -- starting now -- to help keep acne issues at bay.
