Is Treating Acne with Diet Possible? Yes! And not just with diet changes, there are many other simple natural options to help too!
Thank you to Jill, from Real Food Forager, who has written a guest post today on a topic that I know many of you are wondering about. Below she talks about treating acne with diet.
First a note from me (Kelly):
Remember I'm not a doctor or anywhere close, this is just what I would do, after tons of research, if we were dealing with acne here. I want to give you HOPE! The suggestions below help people clear up issues with acne all of the time, it really is possible.
Did you know that for acne, docs will put you on any of the following…
- Antibiotics (Gut and immune system BUSTERS!)
- Oral contraceptives or other hormonal drugs (FERTILITY BUSTERS, CANCER CAUSERS & HORMONAL HAVOC even years later, read more here: Dangers of the Birth Control Pill) — by the way, docs also put girls on the pill for painful periods, and there's a natural remedy for that too…
- Steroids (NASTY side effects and long term health issues)
- Drugs like Accutane or others (can cause MAJOR mental health issues even years later and other scary side effects — it’s more common than is reported!)
Besides the info below from Jill on treating acne with changes in the diet, here's what else I recommend… Especially for kids who may not be willing to clean up their diet, as frustrating as that is!
Important:
Keep in mind as you read below: I know there's a lot here. I didn't want to overwhelm you, but at the same time wanted everything together here in one place so you can see how many natural options you have for treating acne! I suggest you read through with pen and paper and find a combined approach using the suggestions below that resonate with you. Everyone's situation and skin types are different, but basically you want to hit it from the inside AND the outside. Start with whatever you think is a good fit, but be willing to use some trial and error and switch things up with other options later as needed. You may have fast results with the below suggestions, but it could take time and patience as well.
1. First the outside: I'll show you the Beautycounter skincare products that help with facial or back acne (Beautycounter skincare and makeup is SO much safer than what you'll find at the store and much better for your health!):
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- This charcoal cleansing bar detoxifies and absorbs impurities from the skin without drying it out.
- This mens care line has toner pads to balance the ph of the skin and calm inflammation, and a cleanser that sloughs away dead skin cells and unclogs pores.
- This charcoal mask is also great for blemish-prone skin, it purifies and balances, absorbs excess oil, and draws out impurities.
- This acne spot treatment is a MUST for keeping on-hand for random blemishes that show up. Also here's their all-over acne treatment called Countercontrol to clear existing blemishes and prevent future breakouts, and the matte toner to control excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores. NOTE that the Countercontrol line is mostly for those with more oily skin…
- For those with acne who do NOT have oily skin, this post has newer info about a drug normally used for acne, but Beautycounter has a much safer option! It's a line called Countertime and it's generally better for those who have acne without oily skin. (It's also the line for mature skin to prevent wrinkles or reduce fine lines. I don't have acne, but use these products for anti-aging!)
- To cover blemishes this makeup is safer and works too: Skin Twin Foundation, Creamy Concealer, and this beauty blender helps apply them both for a natural look. (See my video about these here!)
- Overnight Resurfacing Peel (for nighttime) and Vitamin C Serum (for daytime) are great for helping to fade acne scars, for uneven skin tone, redness, and more–and see the drastic before and after pics below when these products are used! (Sensitive skin? Start slow with a small amount in an inconspicous area.)
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- The gal in this photo used the following:
Countercontrol pore cleanser deep cleans without dryness.
Countercontrol all over acne treatment helps clear existing blemishes and prevent new breakouts.
Countermatch body lotion to keep skin hydrated.
- The gal in this photo used the following:
2. Now for healing from the inside: Along with the below diet suggestions, I'd also suggest you get these homeopathic remedies for more support and healing longterm: Hepar sulphuris calcareum 200C and Arsenicum album 200C — one dose of each (3-4 pills), taken together, every other day. Read more about how to take homeopathic remedies here. Homeopathy roots out health issues from the inside. ***Also note that the diet suggestions below talk about inflammatory foods to avoid and that's important at first, but later you can also heal food sensitivites with homeopathy so you don't have to avoid those foods forever! (The probiotics below can also help root out food sensitivities.)
3. More healing from the inside:
- Cod liver oil is an anti-inflammatory, and good to be taking daily anyway for overall health and especially for anyone who struggles with moodiness or anxiety, or hormonal issues. That brand is one of the best because it not only has the important omega-3 fats, but it also has vitamin A & D! Get a discount at that link with the code: KOP. (More here on healing anxiety naturally.)
- Take this gut-strengthening, immunity-boosting superfood: Colostrum! <– Buy some there (be sure to click “join us” instead of “shop now” to get the best price). Or watch this video on the health benefits for more info. Slip the powder into any recipes you can, like smoothies, homemade ice cream, or anything really. Some just eat the powder off a spoon as Paola talks about in the video (start with a small amount and work up to a Tablespoon or so 2x/day or more–remember it's just food so more won't hurt). I use the powder in recipes AND take the colostrum pills, just so I'm sure to get some in every day in case I'm not cooking/baking that day or forget to add it to recipes.
- More GUT healing: Watch the following video about the importance of this spore-based probiotic for healing your gut and clearing up acne (also important for those with anxiety). Here's the video, Stop Acne Outbreaks with NO Side Effects: (plays after the ad)
(Get a discount on this probiotic for acne with the code: KOP.)
Note that the dose is one daily, but you may need to slowly work up to 2/day or even more for a while until your skin clears.
Now here's Jill with more on the best diet to help clear up acne…
Conventional medicine does not address the common-sense knowledge that diet can affect acne, in spite of current published research showing just that.
The usual and customary comment from a medical doctor about acne, is that “…there is no scientific evidence that diet plays a role…” That answer, coming from a health care professional with “expertise,” leads to the inevitable prescription for topical medicines, or the stronger Accutane or antibiotics.
All of these treatments are dangerous.
Accutane has many side effects including depression, suicidal thoughts, inflammatory bowel disease, birth defects if given to a pregnant woman, to mention just a few. In fact, it is so dangerous to pregnancy and the fetus, there has recently been a new protocol introduced in order to make sure pregnant women do not use the drug. Is it a good idea to give a teenager, whose self esteem may be a bit fragile to begin with (especially if he or she has acne) a drug that may cause depression or suicidal thoughts? The other medical alternative, antibiotics, are just as dangerous. As a clinician, I have met quite a few people who have told me they thought their inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s/colitis) was caused by the antibiotics they were given for years as a teenager to treat acne. Taking antibiotics kills not only the bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria in the bowel. In taking these medications chronically, the flora in the bowel becomes unbalanced and this opens the door to overgrowth of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, viruses and yeast (Candida), that come with their own host of problems. In my opinion, neither treatment is a good option.
In the Natural Health world, acne is known as “diabetes of the skin”.
Insulin and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) is released when simple sugars and carbohydrates are eaten. Elevated insulin levels (as in diabetes) lead to an excess of male hormones, which cause pores in the skin to secrete sebum, a greasy substance that attracts acne-promoting bacteria (propionibacterium acne). Additionally, IGF-1 promotes the multiplication of skin cells known as keratinocytes, a process associated with acne. Scientific studies have shown a link between insulin and IGF-1 and acne. Furthermore, it has been found that when IGF-1 is used to treat certain illnesses, this increases male hormones, and this increases the incidence of acne. Clearly, there is a link between levels of insulin, IGF-1 and acne. (Check out this video from Dr. Berg with more about the role of insulin with acne: the FASTEST way to get rid of acne.)
A diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugars causes chronically elevated levels of insulin and IGF-1.
Not only is this bad for general health and emotional well being and increases the risk of diabetes, it is bad for the skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body. When the diet is full of junk foods with chemical additives, which most refined carbohydrate products have, the body has to find ways to detoxify and remove the enormous amount of waste products that accumulate. The skin is a major outlet, as it has the greatest surface area. The skin reflects the health of the gut. If the mucous membrane lining of the intestinal tract (the gut) is not completely healthy (as may occur when the diet is full of unnatural chemicals and sugars that feed pathogenic bacteria) there is a greater incidence of many health problems, including acne.
Not surprisingly, acne is a disease of western civilization.
Studies have shown that the condition is virtually nonexistent in traditional societies, where refined carbohydrates and sugar are rarely eaten. For instance, one study that looked at acne cases in the islanders of Papua New Guinea and the hunter-gatherers of Paraguay, found no cases of acne in either group. The findings, make a strong case for the significant role of environmental factors, such as diet, in the incidence of acne. I’m sure that if Dr. Weston A. Price (a dentist who traveled the world in the 1930′s studying and documenting traditional cultures and in particular their excellent health and excellent teeth) had been a dermatologist, and had looked at the skin of the traditional cultures he studied, he would have found acne to be non-existent in the cultures that were not exposed to “…the displacing foods of modern commerce…”, i.e. all the processed foods available. In those days there were five processed foods; canned vegetables, vegetable oils, condensed milk, refined four and refined sugar. Compare that to what we have today – go into a supermarket and try to find the real food!
For teens, the solution is to cut back on or cut out entirely: simple refined sugars and carbohydrate/grain products.
This means bakery, cereals and packaged products as well as corn since it is a grain. With the epidemic levels of gluten intolerance and celiac disease in our society today, this solution is much more appropriate for enhancing health than offering dangerous drugs. But the diet should be cleaned up in other ways as well. Adding probiotic foods and probiotic supplements are also indicated to restore the beneficial micro flora to the gut. Moreover, eating the correct fats (and avoiding oxidized vegetable oils and trans fats) is also necessary for this condition. Additionally, gradually switching over to a real foods diet is important if you want to solve this problem through natural methods.
While changing the diet may be difficult for a teenager, it must be even worse suffering with a face full of acne.
With support from parents, teens can change their eating habits for the better. Let us know if you’ve had good success curing acne with diet!
Scroll through here to find more that might help:
- Be sure to see this post for more on healing your gut health, which is so important with skin issues!
- A commenter below said that she did the Whole-30 Diet for a month (no sugar, no dairy, no grains) and her acne totally cleared up! Others say that switching to raw milk made the difference, since pasteurized milk kills the enzymes our bodies need to digest dairy.
- I just received this comment that I wanted to share here about acne: “I took in a young man into my home after he had been kicked out of his house. He had terrible, terrible acne when he got here. Within weeks I had his skin looking like a baby's behind! First off, real food helped, of course. But I also supplemented him with B-5, B-6 and Vitamin C. Now, there are some B complex pills that will have that combo, but what you want to do is buy these supplements separately. Take them with your breakfast and lunch, and if you don't have adrenal issues or insomnia, you can take them with dinner, too (otherwise they can be a bit too energizing on your body and interfere with sleep). These are water soluble vitamins, so you can't OD on them. B-5 helps control excess oil in our skin, B-6 is healing to the skin and vitamin C helps fight off infection. I worked for a dermatologist for 8 years and saw all sorts of tricks for acne, but never did I see anything clean up acne the way those three vitamins have. Especially in so little time!“
- If you've tried the above without results, just a reminder to check out this post with newer info I just learned about a drug normally used for acne, only this is a safer option!
- Often this goes along with gut issues: How to fight depression and anxiety naturally
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Dr. Jill Tieman is a Clinical Nutritionist and Chiropractor practicing in Suffolk County, New York. She specializes in SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) and GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome). She is also the co-Chapter Leader of the Great South Bay Chapter of the Weston Price Foundation. As a supporter of WAPF, she is enthusiastic about teaching people how to use real, wholesome foods to reinvigorate their health.
At the 2010 WAPF Conference, she heard Kelly & others on the social media bloggers' panel and was inspired to use this great platform to spread the word about traditional food. She realized that blogging is an efficient way to reach many people who are interested in improving their health. She created her own real food blog, found at www.realfoodforager.com.
Annie Casselman says
Would it be okay to drink raw milk or kefir when trying to heal acne. And what about pasture raised beef and pork? Should it be avoided or can it be consumed without worsening the condition?
KitchenKop says
You may need to do some trial and error since everyone is different!
Kelly
Bouncedancer says
I had pretty bad acne as a teenager, and Clearasil saved me at that time. But it was always there, and turned into cystic acne, and getting worse, by the time I hit my 50s. I learned from Dr. Jonathan Wright that enzymes and hydrochloric acid can help rosacea, so I thought, what have I got to lose? My symptoms cleared up OVERNIGHT! I take them with most every meal, and if I skip them for as little as half a week, the acne starts to return!
robyn says
does the b-5, 6 and C work for teenagers?
Ryan says
It is amazing how the doctors are starting to confess and say that diet is very important for the skin and “chocolate doesn’t give you spots” is coming back.
The saying “you are what you eat” is very true and you can see how well you have talked about this today. One thing I do recommend for acne is a tropical system (only because it really worked for me and you can see my 7 day review on my website myacnelife.com).
However I do feel that eating right has helped keep those morning pimples away and also made my skin less prone. I eat fish daily, avoid junk food completely and drink like a fish. Check out my acne blog above for more on what I do.
ryan says
I totally agree with dieting and acne.
As a child I was constantly told “eat what you want it will not effect your skin” however the saying “you are what you eat” is much more true than dermotologists and doctors think. Are you on google +1?
acne is a disease of western civilization is a pure example of how dieting can result in acne and the more people that find out about it the better.
My acne diet is
at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.
Omega 3 fish (not omega 6) at least once every 2 days
No junk food what so ever 😀 (Hard especially being my age)
Anyway thanks for this opportunity 🙂
Ryan
Laurie Cage says
I have also suffered from mild acne all the way to somewhat a severe form. Even though I had the opportunity to be helped to deal with it naturally, I believe that an intake of Vitamin A and Zinc could have helped be better.
Could I ask, what sort of foods have more Vitamin A and also zinc?
Acne is mostly caused by stress as well…. I know lemon helps as well..
Laurie
KitchenKop says
I believe it’s oysters that have a lot of zinc, and for vitamin A, I would definitely recommend extra cod liver oil!
Kelly
Crystal says
Since I’ve started drinking milk kefir everyday, I’ve noticed that even when I eat out (e.g. not real food diet) I don’t have flare-ups like I used to.
Amy W says
I know this is an old post, but I had to add my 2 cents. I had mild acne from puberty on (my diet was horrible!), but it’s really kicked in and been increasingly worse since I started a real foods diet well over a year ago. And I’m 34!! My guess is that my hormones are balancing themselves out (or at least going crazy!). Can it really take almost two years to “detox”? I take probiotics and CLO, have done several allergy-elimation diets, drink raw milk, eat fermented foods and try to properly prepare grains. Since I started a real food diet, my cycle has become amazingly regular, and my acne flare-ups are predictable, as well. I’m trying to conceive, so I’m not going to have a hormone/endocrine workup just yet, but I’m pretty convinced that is the issue for me. Very complicated subject for some of us.
Shelly @ Of Sound Mind and Spirit says
I struggled with adult acne on a fairly regular basis and always assumed it was tied with in my period. I also had some small acne appear on my chest occasionally. Last year, August, I began modifying my diet to be more in line with the Paleo Diet (no carbs, no processed foods, no sugar, no legumes, no dairy: only meat, veggies, fruit, nuts and lots of it). I did my first “whole 30” detox in November and ALL of my acne disappeared. My face, my chest – all of it. (All of my sinus congestion disappeared also.) Robb Wolf writes that sugar/carbs are more addictive than cocaine/heroin, but if you can truly break the cycle and eat more whole food and NO GRAINS you will feel and look so much better. I encourage everyone to read and investigate it. It takes dedication, especially in our “fast food highly processed carb/sugar overload” world.
Jill says
Clearly there can be a multitude of reasons for acne. And as Rachel so eloquently put it, sometimes conventional medicine can be used in an advantageous manner. I would never judge anyone (and one should not judge oneself negatively) if medications are needed. Certainly, as Rachel said, if you wait too long to treat, scars may form and those can last forever. I like to take an integrative approach. Certainly one can improve the diet and be on medicine (just hopefully not Acutane or antibiotics) at the same time.
Danielle @ Analytical Mom says
This post rings true for me. I still have occasional breakouts, but I’ve generally been able to link them to the fake food I’ve indulged in the day before! One interesting side note: the doctors always say “chocolate doesn’t cause acne,” but that is one of my worst triggers. Thank you so much for this helpful information! If you’re interested, I’ve written more about my experiences at https://mindofthemother.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-traditional-foods-saved-my-facekind.html
Bonnie Modugno, MS, RD says
The connection between insulin resistance and acne is apparent to me, but the nature of randomized trials will consistently miss the link if the population isn’t stratified by level of insulin resistance. Some very savvy researchers will need to carefully design the study to underscore the connection.
I am sure the insulin-sugar link is probably only one of many factors. Since persistent organic pollutants, medications and many other exogenous factors also influence relative insulin sensitivity it may be very challenging to most people to tease apart their own puzzle.
At the same time, if you are eating well, exercising regularly and overall living a fairly balanced lifestyle without excessive stress, I would recommend a thorough endocrine workup.
There is very little attention given to the balance of our hormones. Most primary care providers do not assess most of these functions outside of thyroid function. Even most OB/GYNs and Endocrinologists fail to adequately assess or know how to balance an unbalanced hormonal milieu.
There is a good reason so much acne is associated with puberty, menses, pregnancy, lactation, menopause, and other hormonally driven physiological states, as well as use/abuse of steroid hormones.
Rachel says
I appreciate the post. I’m a long time reader, first time commenter, traditional food eater.
I know the author didn’t intend the post to be a one-size fits all recommendation, but I’d still like to comment that it won’t work for everyone. If you’re one of those people, just know that you’re not alone.
If you try diet & lifestyle remedies and they don’t clear up your acne, you shouldn’t feel guilty about non-natural treatments if you judge they are right for you or your child. Modern pharmaceuticals should be a last resort, but sometimes they are necessary. I don’t know what kind of response I’ll get to this post, but judging by the blogs I generally read, I anticipate that some people will reply by saying that I didn’t do correctly, or their specific method, or long enough, or possibly that I didn’t try hard enough. I won’t get into the specifics of everything I’ve tried (raw diet, traditional diet, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free (including fruit and all carbs!), candida diets, green juices, internal cleanses from above and below, drinking bentonite clay, detox plans, naturopathy, homeopathy, herbal remedies, supplements, mind-body solutions, exercise, and/or many of these at the same time and then much more–if it’s out there, I’ve probably tried it!), but please believe me when I say that a natural solution does not work for everyone. I think they’re all worth a try, and many of them may work for some people, but don’ t feel like you’re a failure at healing yourself if they don’t work.
I would absolutely recommend staying away from Accutane (SO toxic!) and definitely oral antibiotics if at all possible, but some of the topical medications may make a difference when all else fails. Sometimes if you wait too long to treat acne, especially for your teenager, the scars that result last a lifetime. It took a while to find a combination of medications that worked, but my skin finally cleared (to a significant degree) with a combination of Atralin and Dapsone.
If you suffer from severe acne, too, my heart and my scarred face are with you.
KitchenKop says
Rachel,
Very well said, and thank you for saying it. 🙂
Kelly (p.s. Thanks for being a long-time reader!)
Jill says
Well said, Rachel. I mentioned my daughter’s struggle with severe cystic acne and the dermatologist’s discovery of her food allergies, BUT she also received a year of integrative treatment and it was ALL helpful for clearing and healing her skin. There are other “conventional” type dermatology treatments for acne beyond drugs (though my daughter was on antibiotics for a few months as the infection was so terrible). She benefited from regular “acne clinics” at the office that included blue light therapy (which helped heal the infection) and later when her skin healed further, a procedure called Dermasweep, which is similar to, but gentler and more beneficial than Dermabrasion (she alternated between Dermasweep and acid peels). Dermatology, even conventional dermatology, has much more to offer than just pharmaceuticals. I think different dermatologists may have different offerings, but our experience was great.
Sheila says
I wish I had read this ten years ago! I had terrible acne and the only solution the dermatologist could think of was antibiotics. They didn’t help at all, and rather than go back for a higher dose, I gave up. I found being gentle when washing my face (very warm water and a washcloth, no harsh cleansers) helped, but it took getting pregnant to make it go away. Now that the baby is (slowly) weaning, it’s coming back. Time to put it all in action, I guess!
Another way real foods help is getting enough vitamin A in the system. It’s really crucial to the skin and most people don’t get enough — because synthetic vitamin A is so toxic and vegetable vitamin A (beta carotene) is not always easily converted. I second what someone else said about cod liver oil — it’s a great source of A!
Jill says
Hi Jill,
Thanks so much for sharing. Your daughter sounds like she could benefit from the SCD or GAPS. I have information about these diets on my blog. Both these diets remove all starches, grains and double molecule sugars from the diet. Many people benefit from these diets for a variety of conditions. When you learn about the diet you begin to understand how gut dysbiosis (imbalance in the gut flora) can affect each individual in different ways. Sugar cravings are a huge indicator that dysbiosis is present. Many people go gluten-free, but not grain-free. Many gluten-free products are still full of additives and starches that are very hard to digest. Left to ferment, they support pathogens in the gut and this can be expressed as any health condition. For some it is the skin. For others it is digestive problems, etc. Hormones contribute as well. No one system works independent of the others. The body tries to cope as well as it can when gut dysbiosis is present. This is so common today as the food supply is filled with additives and toxins.
Jill says
Thank you for your reply, Jill! What you said rings true to me, and I will look at your blog and research those diets. Now, if I can only get her to go for it…. She begins college in the spring, but will be living at home to offset expenses, so I think a very controlled diet would be doable and timely as well, considering the array of benefits.
Jill says
Hi Jill,
It will be a challenge for a college student. However, if she is living at home it would be possible. She just has to be motivated to do it for herself. Let me know how it goes!
Crystal says
If hormones are a cause, has anyone considered soy products? Doesn’t that mess with hormones? And it’s really prevalent even in “health” foods.
Jill says
I can attest to the diet-acne link! My 17 year old daughter suffered with SEVERE acne until after trying everything out there, I finally took her to a dermatologist. Fortunately, this dermatologist had an integrative practice and worked with a naturopath. She put my daughter on an anti-inflammatory diet which was very low in sugars and grains and completely eliminated wheat (among other treatments as well). When my daughter began dramatically losing water weight she suspected food allergies and had her tested. As it turned out she was allergic to wheat (and other gluten-containing grains like spelt and rye), eggs, all dairy, and cane sugar. Cutting out these foods was the “corner turner” in her recovery. She has “normal” teenage skin now with only minor breakouts and her scars are fading more each year.
Interestingly, she has ALWAYS strongly craved carbs and sugar. Even now I have to keep a watch on her because she will over do it on gluten-free carbs and loves to bake (and eat her creations)! Also, she had always had a tendency to struggle with constipation prior to elimination of her allergy foods (eliminating those foods has helped tremendously in regulating her digestive system). She also used to have odd, strange breath prior to the discovery of her food allergies (also eliminated now, unless she cheats on her diet or overindulges in other grains/carbs), which made me always suspect a dysbiosis and toxicity of sorts. I am not sure that the puzzle is completely solved yet since even gluten free grains still effect her when eaten in excess, but this article does confirm my suspicion regarding a heightened sensitivity to grains/carbs/sugars. Since puberty, she has had quite sensitive blood sugar (hypoglycemic) and has had to be careful in that regard as well.
Thank you for this great information!
Mindy W says
I, too, never had acne as a teenager or young adult and my diet was awful then – full of sugar, processed foods, etc. I was also overweight.
I developed acne when I was pregnant with my first little boy and it has progressively gotten worse. I now weigh 130 lbs, exercise a minimum of 3 times per week, and eat a 95% raw, organic diet full of fruits and vegetables. My acne is now worse than ever. I’ve just about resigned myself to the fact that it is hormonal and there is not much I can do about it. Any suggestions or rays of hope? Thanks!
Jill says
Hi MIndy,
If your diet is 95% raw, I guess you are not eating much in the way of animal products? You may be eating dairy, but it sounds like there are too many simple sugars (even if it is organic fruit). For some people even the fruit is too much. That can feed the imbalance in the gut flora and cause lots of problems even when the diet seem to be “healthy”. And this can affect the skin.
Mindy W says
Thanks for the quick response Jill. I do put some shredded parmesan cheese on my salads. I buy it in a block from Trader Joe’s and shred it myself. Every few weeks, I will eat some chicken and occasionally have a smoothie made with Kefir, but other than that, no I don’t eat a lot of animal products. The one non-raw thing I do eat every day is a bowl full of scottish oats in the morning that I cook with almond milk. I still eat way more vegetables than I do fruit, but I will cut down on the fruit and see what happens. Thanks for your help, Jill, I appreciate it.
Mindy W says
I should also add that several raw books I’ve read say that excessive consumption of processed foods for a long period of time and then a change to a raw diet, can cause your skin to break out because it is purging the ill effects of so many years of a bad diet. What’s your take on this?
Jill says
Hi Mindy,
It sounds like your diet is high in carbs — even though they are mainly vegetables and some fruit. For some people that is still too much even though it is mainly grains and simple sugars that are implicated in acne. It also sounds like you are not getting enough protein and fat… To answer your question about the “purging” — it is common for a condition to get worse before it gets better — a way of saying, yes, any “detox” will certainly express itself through the skin.
Sheila says
Chances are, with all that raw and plant-based food, you’re not getting enough vitamin A. The vitamin A found in plant foods is beta carotene, which only half the population can convert into a usable form. In addition, only a small percentage of the beta carotene found in food is actually available when the food is raw — maybe 5%. It will increase a lot if you lightly steam your vegetables and eat them with olive oil or something (the fat helps you absorb beta carotene).
The best way to get plenty of A, though, is to take a teaspoon of fermented cod liver oil every day, if you can stand it! It’s hard to get down unless it’s in a capsule, but I think it’s worth the trouble.
Anika says
About a year ago I used to have pretty terrible acne, within several months of cleaning up my diet it just went away (I’m 17 btw). My friends will comment at my skin and ask what I do, I tell them clear skin is just what happens when you eliminate grains, dairy products and sugar, they believe me but are not motivated to do anything about it. I’m so thankful I tried a dietary approach to clearing up acne and that my mother didn’t give in when I begged for pills and proactive.
Jochem says
Most important supplement is fermented cod liver oil, due to it’s high content of “the skin” vitamin A
Melissa@CelluliteInvestigation says
Don’t forget about fluoride! Fluoride can cause acne for people who experienced excess fluoride exposure in the past. I suspect this condition (formally knows as fluoroderma) affects more of the population than any of us realize. My acne completely disappeared when I eliminated all major sources of fluoride from my diet. You can see the photographic evidence here:
https://www.celluliteinvestigation.com/2011/03/fluoroderma-cure-cystic-acne.html
Acne is the body’s way of reducing the burden on the lymphatic system in the head and neck. When lymph is congested in this area, the body will increase its reliance on the skin as a secondary detox organ. Acne can be caused by any substance that increases lymphatic congestion. For some people, that could be gluten but for others it could be something completely different.
Crystal says
I have my face to thank for leading me on this journey to real, whole foods! I struggled with rosacea throughout most of my 20’s, then I watched Food, Inc. and started researching. One thing led to another, and suddenly it clicked about adding antibiotics in the animals, and my breakouts. It happens with both poultry, and beef. Also, with cheese, say, from a pizza. This was really evident recently when I had to go out of town and ate out for several days (hey, I *did* bring my raw milk, but I couldn’t bring my whole kitchen!:D) I came home with the most horrible complexion! I was shocked at how bad it was. But it happens without fail, when I eat out, the next day, I’ve got red splotches on my face. I’m kinda amazed at how simple a solution this was for me: just avoid antibiotics in the food! It also makes me angry at my dermatologist’s education who thought rosacea could be caused by mites!! O_o For reals?!
Amy says
I’ve read a lot about this, and it seems like the overwhelming commonality in people with rosacea is that they’ve been on antibiotics for a long period of time. I guess it makes sense if it could be caused by antibiotic traces in food. Were you ever on antibiotics for a long period?
Crystal says
No. I had never been to a doctor until I was an adult! It was weird for me, because as a teenager, I hadn’t had very many acne problems compared to everyone around me, and then around 22, it got bad. How did you personally cure your rosacea?
Amy says
Eating real food and a fairly anti-inflammatory diet. Lots of fruits and veggies. Homemade yogurt. It took awhile but it cleared up.
elaine says
me again … for hubby – it would have to be trace amounts in foods he consumed. He really isn’t a fast-food kinda guy and has hardly ever been sick (very few antibox). His seemed to flare up with a very stressful job situation and has just never resolved.
Amy says
@ Angela: the pill also affects gut flora. Yours could still be recovering.
As a teenager I had acne and was put on antibiotics for a long time. I’m pretty sure that caused rosacea which turned up later. And probably candida, as well. I cured rosacea on my own, so it can be done.
I really dispute the idea that carbs cause acne. Exactly the opposite in my opinion. I find lots of fruit to be helpful to the skin. Rice is fine for the skin, too. Potatoes are incredible for the skin (both cooked for eating and raw potato juice used topically). So is bone broth, and liver. The best diet for acne would be, potatoes, bone broth, fruit, liver, veggies. Lots of antioxidants and low PUFA. Yogurt can help as well, if its fresh. What causes acne: junk food and bad gut flora. Milk as well for some people, and too much alcohol.
I’m sure refined carbs like sugar could be bad. But, Asians eating lots of white rice have barely any acne and the French who eat lots of white bread don’t have much acne. Its different than eating wonder bread, which has a ton of junk aside from white flour. This stuff is not so cut and dry.
I’ve done a lot of looking into this over the years. And following a lowish carb diet for a while definitely made my skin worse. (It also raises fasting insulin.)
Amy says
P.S., I don’t mean liver as the only source of meat, of course. Just the usual 1-2x/week, in addition to pastured beef, fish, shellfish, etc.
Jill says
Hi Amy,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Clearly, acne can be caused by many different things. As we all have very different biochemistry, medical history, metabolism and gut flora, very different things in our environments can affect us. In your case you have been astute enough to uncover what works best for your skin. As Melissa notes (further now the comments), fluoride can also affect certain people. And as Crystal shares, antibiotics in food affected her!
Tierney says
raw potato juice? Is that just for acne or as a general treatment?
Amy says
Just for acne, although maybe it would help with other conditions, not sure.
elaine says
Amy~ Please share what you did to clear up your rosacea?? DH has struggled with it for 10+ years. Thanks!!
Amy says
I started eating real food, and low-inflammatory food, and slowly it cleared up. Mine was only mild, so he may need more for severe rosacea. He might want to try olive leaf extract, which has worked for rosacea, from what I understand. I found homemade yogurt to be helpful, as well as the other foods listed above. It has a lot to do with gut flora, but also eating plenty of fruits and veggies help.
Jen says
What a great article! I dealt with a lot of acne until a couple of years ago when I was introduced to Weston A Price. It’s much better now but I still have some issues now and then. My herbalist says that all skin issues are related to liver issues. When I eat good fats (not just watching my refined carbs) my skins does better. Canola, corn oil and factory farm meats are really hard on the liver. I also wash my face with jojoba oil every day and that keeps it nice and supple and oil free if you can believe that. No soap ever! Most people try one thing and when it doesn’t clear up their acne they stop and try something else thinking that it didn’t work. It probably did work but there’s more than one thing causing it.
Jill says
Hi Jen,
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is usually more than one issue.
Angela says
I, too, would like to hear more about the relation bet/ acne and hormones and what can be done to correct it. I have never had much of a problem with acne, even as a teen. Last summer, I stopped taking the pill after being on it for a few years and have battled acne ever since. My diet is WAPF compliant, so what’s the deal? Are my hormones still trying to figure out what the true normal is?
Jill says
Hi Angela,
As I stated above, sometimes the body goes through a stage of rebalancing toxins and the skin is the organ of elimination. Sometimes it just takes time.
Mindy M says
The acne issue is what keeps my 3 teenagers requesting real food. They noticed a big difference several years ago when we switched from yeast bread to sourdough. Hormones also factor into the equation. My fair skinned children struggle more than the one with a darker complexion.
If a person would take a drug for acne, then they are covering up the problem within. A quick fix could have long term reprecussions. We chose to address the overall health of the body to fight acne. The long term benefits of a healthy body and lifestyle are well worth the time and effort for now and future generations.
Jill says
Hi Mindy,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I know some people want that quick fix and antibiotics will work. You have to be a special kind of person to change your diet in order to address the actual cause of the problem. Even with a very good wapf diet some people still have skin problems. The hormones do play a role in this. For each person it may be something different in the diet.
Marcia Coakley says
Excellent connections made about the pitfalls of short term thinking created by pharmaceuticals…as well as the poor food to body response process. I am excited about this conversation, and bringing whole food nutrition – the long term thinking – to the bigger world.
Jill says
Hi Marcia,
Thanks for your comments on this. It is a complicated topic because of so many variables.
ValerieH says
I’m in my 40’s. I still get pimples that are like cysts, usually around the time of the month. What causes that? I think changing my diet to low carb with pastured meats has helped.
Jill says
Hi Valerie,
As I stated in the previous comment, hormones will certainly interact with the skin. Cyst like pimples can sometimes indicate an imbalance in the intestinal tract. Sometimes the body needs to expel those toxins through the skin and thus you get a breakout. A warm compress soaked in diluted tea tree oil is a way to topically manage this. Low carb would definitely help.
jenna Food WIth Kid Appeal says
3 things: 1- great post, thanks for bringing awareness to this topic. 2 – my diet was terrible as a teenager, and i had minimal skin problems. I developed eczema in college and still have minor flare-ups. during my first pregnancy i got PG acne, and since my first PG (now 8 yrs) my skin has had more pimples than during my teenage years. it’s not bad and I wouldn’t call it “acne.” now, my diet is far cleaner, nearly pristine, compared to my diet of childhood and into early 20s. yet i still have minor eczema and pimples, especially around my period. because my skin changed during my first PG i always thought it was hormone change. how do hormone changes for women (during, after PG and menopause) impact skin/pimples?
3 – dr tieman – do you know any drs in the Houston area who are GAPS, SCD knowledgeable? I’m looking for a Dr to help me and my boys heal migraines/eczema (me) allergies/asthma (them) with GAPS, but need help knowing when/how to wean off their meds. how do i find an MD in Houston with GAPS/SCD practice?
thank you!
Jill says
Hi Jenna,
There is definitely an interaction between hormones and the skin. We see evidence of that in women who are cycling and teenagers with all their hormone surges. That is a variable that really is hard to control, but a wapf style diet is certainly better than a conventional diet. Some people have reported that eliminating gluten from the diet has helped them. This also support the “acne as diabetes of the skin” hypothesis. The starchy carbohydrates become sugar very readily, even when they are properly prepared. For some people it is trial and error, using a simple elimination diet (I will have a post about that in the near future). As far as practitioners, I’m sorry I do not know of anyone in your area, but you might try the GAPS website blog and ask there. https://gapsguide.com/
Thanks for commenting!