Reader Q&A: What Kind of Exercise Will Improve My Complexion? (And, What Foods Should I Avoid for Clear Skin?)

This week's reader question, a two-parter from Anna in New Jersey, is about getting a clear complexion, namely; which one food group should I banish from my diet if I want my skin to look great? And, is there any sort of exercise that will improve my skin?

Not surprisingly, when it comes to "banishing" a food group to improve the quality of one's skin, celebrity fitness and lifestyle coach, Ashley Borden is quick to say "any processed food." Many experts also recommend avoiding fatty foods, refined carbohydrates (any white bread or pasta or potato) and sugar if you're trying to improve your complexion and suggest drinking plenty of water (the old eight glasses a day trick) and eating fiber-rich foods like whole grains and beans. Caffeine, too, is often cited as a skin wrecker and should therefore be consumed in moderation. Also, several top dermatologists, like Dr. Jessica Wu for one, say that dairy is a bad skin culprit and recommend that patients with issues like acne eliminate it from their diets.

As for an exercise that will improve the skin, Borden recommends "any type of cardio where you are breaking a sweat and getting the circulation going." She also stresses the importance of not wearing makeup while you work out and washing your face when you're finished so that any dirt and grime that was in the gym (or on the mat) won't find its way into your pores. Don't freak out, there are ways to look pretty while exercising without caking on the makeup as this video demonstrates.

Have a question for Ashley? Submit it on the My Beauty Life homepage.