Innocent Foods That Cause Acne-Prone and Oily Skin

Not everyone is gifted with smooth, supple and bright skin. Some of us have to work extra hard to keep skin clear from acne, blackheads, whiteheads and other skin imperfections. For a lot of people, excessive oils are the main skin problem and for good reason! Because oily skin is usually prone to break-outs. Most of the time, however, our lifestyle (including the food we eat) are the main culprits to oily and pimple-zone skin. Here we list down some foods to avoid if you have oily and acne-prone skin.

1. Sugar-packed foods

Sure, that immaculate cupcake or a bit of that Belgian chocolate sounds so good after dinner or a stressful day at work but it may encourage more break-outs. Sugars have the power to trigger hormones and cause blood sugar levels to go awry. As a result, your skin produces way too much oil, resulting in acne. Watch out for foods with a high glycemic index and remember to limit your late-night cake party to once every week (possibly).

2. Pasta And Breads

This doesn’t mean you have to turn down your mom’s spaghetti though. You just need to practice moderation. Pasta, breads and baked foods that use enriched flour could lead to excessive production of the sebum (the oil that our skin produces). Instead of white bread and pasta, go for oats, brown rice, and wheat bread instead.

3. Dairy Products

This is probably one of the most difficult foods to give up but in the long run, limiting dairy consumption reduces acne and may result to clearer and brighter skin. Dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, etc.) causes an insulin spike in our system, which results in an over-production of the IGF-1 hormone, resulting to more acne. It can also lead to clogged pores and since dairy also causes excessive sebum production, your skin could become the breeding ground for various bacteria.

To avoid or counter oily and acne-prone skin, here are some foods you need to eat:

1. Fruit (especially those with high water content) – It helps flush out toxins from the body.
2. Water – Hydration is key to avoid excessive oil production.
3. High-fiber foods – Again, fiber flushes out harmful toxins, leaving skin looking healthy.