What foods cause acne, and which foods are good for acne skin?

Acne is one of the “obsessions” of many young people in puberty. It can cause mild to severe acne conditions, and greatly affect the quality of life. Diet can also be the main cause of acne, so to have acne-free skin, you should pay attention to the foods you eat every day.

What is acne?

Acne is one of the most common skin problems that can cause the formation and appearance of pimples on the surface of the skin. In general, these “ugly” pimples can appear on any area of ​​the body, most commonly on the neck, face, shoulders, and back.

The main cause of acne is hormonal changes in the body. Therefore, it is more likely to affect young children or people who have gone through puberty.

Usually, acne can go away on its own without any treatment. However, sometimes there are some types of acne, after disappearing, reappear more densely. Although acne does not seriously affect health, it often causes unsightly, uncomfortable, and self-deprecating feelings for people with acne. In severe cases, acne can leave scars on the skin.

Treatments for acne, including medication or over-the-counter treatments, can be selected based on the condition and severity of the acne.

What causes acne?

Normally, the surface of our skin will be covered with small pores linked to the sebaceous glands located below the skin. Through the hair follicles, the sebaceous glands will carry out the task of bringing sebum to the surface of the skin, while removing dead skin cells.

Acne occurs on the skin when the pores become clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria. In particular, during puberty, the oil glands can be strongly stimulated by hormonal hormones in the body, causing them to produce more oil on the skin and increase the risk of acne.

Dermatologists often divide acne into three main categories:

Blackhead: A condition in which a pore remains open, but has become blocked. They usually manifest as tiny black spots on the surface of the skin.

Whiteheads: These are clogged and closed pores that look like hard bumps and are usually white. This type of acne appears mainly on areas such as the chin, wings of the nose, or forehead.

Pimples: Occurs when pores open, allowing excess oil, dead cells, or bacteria to enter under the skin. These pimples often appear as red bumps or white pus on top due to the body’s response to harmful bacteria.

What does diet have to do with acne?

In addition to the main cause of acne hormonal changes in the body, your daily diet can also be an important factor affecting your skin.

When your blood sugar rises rapidly, the body produces more insulin hormone in the blood. This can stimulate the skin’s oil glands to produce more oil, increasing the risk of acne.

On the other hand, your diet can also affect the production of insulin in the body. Here are some foods that can cause blood sugar and insulin spikes:

Rice.

Pasta.

Street.

White bread.

These foods are all carbohydrates with a high glycemic index. Mostly, they are made from simple sugar. In addition to these foods, some studies also show that eating chocolate can make acne worse, however, it only affects certain people.

In addition, researchers have been actively looking for a link between diet and acne. Western diets often include foods with a high glycemic index, containing trans fats, saturated fats, or dairy products.

These foods can stimulate the body to produce more hormones that cause excess sebum on the skin. Additionally, researchers have found that a Western-style diet can make inflammation worse, contributing to an increase in acne-related problems.

What foods are good for acne-prone skin?

To reduce the risk of acne forming and developing, you should consume foods with a low glycemic index made from complex carbohydrates. Foods that are high in these carbohydrates typically include whole grains, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and legumes.

In addition, you should also choose foods that contain skin-friendly ingredients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and antioxidants.

Here are some foods that are considered skin-friendly that you should add regularly to your diet.

Kale

It can be said that kale is a great choice for people with acne-prone skin. This vegetable provides a lot of beneficial nutrients for the skin like vitamins A, B6, C, and K, and other essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, manganese, calcium, and copper. These are all nutrients that have the ability to reduce the formation of melanin on the skin, helping to even out your skin tone.

Vitamin C in kale helps the body produce more collagen, thereby promoting the rapid recovery of acne scars by speeding up cell turnover. Every morning, make your own kale smoothie or eat sautéed kale for lunch or dinner.

Lemon

Fresh lemon juice acts as a natural astringent, helping to improve sagging skin and fade dark spots. However, applying lemon juice directly to the skin is often not recommended by experts because it is too acidic. This can damage the skin’s natural barrier, it only lightens later and darkens if exposed to the sun.

However, when you squeeze lemon juice and lemon peel into dishes like salads or combine it with other dishes, it can bring many benefits to your health in general and your skin in particular.

Papaya

Papaya contains papain, a digestive enzyme that offers many benefits for your skin, including:

Unclog pores.

Remove dead cells.

Fades acne scars and prevents acne.

Moisturize the skin.

On the other hand, the vitamins and minerals found in this “multi-purpose” fruit also help improve skin elasticity, thereby minimizing the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.

Treating acne requires persistence. If your skin has severe acne and burning pain, it is best to consult your doctor to choose the right support program for your condition.

Here are some tips to help you check and control your “hard-to-please” gamblers:

Wash your face twice a day and after sweating or playing sports.

Wash your hair often, especially if your hair is oily.

Use products or cosmetics that are designed to be gentle, and oil-free.

Alley, or sculpted by hand.

Skin exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

In addition, you should also limit stress because it can trigger the body to produce more androgens, which cause oiliness on the skin and lead to the fish formation.