Say Goodbye to Hormonal Acne, with This Diet and Supplement Regime

Hormonal acne between the ages of 11 and 30 is said to affect around 80% of people at some point in their lives. Acne usually becomes less of a problem as you age, but hormones alongside other factors like genetics, stress levels, lifestyle, skin cell abnormalities and bacteria on the skin can mean it sticks around or flares up.

Severe acne can be treated with medication, but sometimes making a few small lifestyle changes, tweaking your diet and adding in the right supplements can have a positive effect. It’s good to remember that changes can take some time to be noticeable, with diet and supplement plans often taking up to two months to really show a difference.

Eat Whole, Nutrient Packed Foods and Limit Sugar

Try to avoid blood sugar spikes associated with sugar packed foods such as; highly processed foods, cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks and candy for example, as these are known contributors to acne break-outs.

Choose foods that reduce inflammation in the body such as; vegetables, fruits, omeg-3 rich fish and seeds. These types of food contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants and a host of other nutrients that will help improve the skin.

Use Gentle Products on your Face and Body

When your skin is oily and pimply you might be tempted to not use moisturiser or face creams at all, or try to cover your acne with makeup. The right face creams will help your skin stay balanced so that it does not overproduce oil. So ensuring a good beauty regime, with non-clogging formulations is a good idea.

Consider Eliminating Dairy Products

Milk and other dairy products are known to promote the production of hormones such as IGF-1. This hormone among others is a known culprit which helps acne to develop. Studies have shown that people who drink milk are 16% more likely to have acne.

Supplements to Aid in Eliminating Acne

Much research shows that hormonal acne sufferers are often deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. Adding supplements to your diet can be a way to ease or even eliminate symptoms.

• Vitamin D is known to be a powerful antiinflammatory, meaning if you have a deficiency your acne may worsen. Studies have shown that after supplementing with 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D, a test groups acne significantly improved after they were found to be deficient.
• Zinc. A study by experts in 2013, found this mineral to be low in people with acne. It was concluded that a diet rich in this nutrient, could ease acne symptoms. Great sources of zinc include; red meat, poultry, seafood, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, whole grains and beans. A dietary supplement can also be used to boost your zinc levels.
• Vitamin A. This vitamin has many important roles in the body including supporting; immune function, vision, reproduction, the function of the heart, lungs and kidneys. Vitamin A also helps to battle certain types of bacteria that promote acne. Foods containing vitamin A are; green vegetables, orange vegetables such as squash and carrot, beef liver, herring, salmon and tuna. Consider getting a health supplement online containing vitamin A, which can be used if you cannot eat the foods detailed.