With the polar vortex in a much-awaited retirement, now is the perfect time to spring-clean your skincare regimen. While the cold temps and biting winds can wreak havoc on your complexion, the truth is that your beauty woes could all be triggered by what you choose to put inside your body. Put down the army of creams and serums and take a closer look at what you’re feeding your skin.
You are what you eat. Or, at least, your skin is a reflection of it. Your face can reveal a lot about the state of things on the inside. While the direct cause of acne can be the result of anything from clogged pores to genetics, a clean diet can contribute to the healthy glow you’ve been missing.
Acne is an inflammatory response your body triggers when it has been fed the wrong foods. By eliminating pro-inflammatory foods and replacing them with skin-friendly, nutrient-rich fare, your body has a chance to heal itself, resulting in less acne and redness. If you’re plagued by breakouts, a skin “detox” could be just what you need to be fresh-faced this spring.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: All those late night pizza binges? Yeah, they’ve done nothing for your skin, says New York Times bestselling author Mark Hyman, M.D. As it turns out, dairy is full of growth hormones, which contribute to the formation of acne. In addition, the excess sugar in milk can spike insulin production, resulting in zits.
While it’s hard to imagine a life without ice cream and cheese, there are dozens of great alternatives that allow you the indulgence of dairy without the pesky pimples. Almond and coconut milks are excellent substitutes for dairy milk and taste great in cereals and smoothies. Avocado is just as great on a sandwich as a slice of cheese, with the added benefit of biotin, a skin-loving vitamin.
Soda, be it regular or diet, is a huge no-no when it comes to skin health, says celebrity health guru Dr. Frank Lipman. The high fructose corn syrup in soda raises insulin levels and the hormones that contribute to acne. Diet soda, due to its chemical cocktail of artificial sweeteners and coloring, is highly inflammatory to the body. It also lowers the pH levels in your body, zapping the glow from your complexion. Other drinks to avoid include sugar and fat-laden coffee beverages (sorry, Starbucks) and, yes, alcohol. The excess sugar in these drinks is enough to cause a major breakout. Your safest bet is to stick with plain old h2o and tea.
Foods containing gluten can be a major trigger for digestive issues, as foods like bread and pasta are known to cause inflammation in the body. The sticky protein that holds wheat and other grains together can be found in everything from salad dressing to toothpaste, so unless you consciously follow a gluten-free diet, you’ve likely come into contact with it. According to Maura Henninger, N.D., gluten, like sugar, can increase the level of pimple-producing hormones. A high carbohydrate diet is detrimental to your skin health, so make sure to pair your bread or cereal with a protein source, so you’re satiated with less.
In addition to cutting back on foods that promote acne, make sure to supplement your current diet with foods that help protect and nourish your skin. Dr. Jessica Wu, M.D., author of Feed Your Face, recommends loading up on nuts such as almonds and walnuts, which are excellent sources of healthy fats, to give skin a more plump and youthful appearance. Zinc is a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be found in lean red meat and beans.
Resetting your digestive system with the right foods could be the solution to all of your skin troubles. As a cheap and safe alternative to medication and cosmetic intervention, there’s nothing to lose – except your acne.