Acne Prone Lifestyle Hacks

Acne can be extremely stressful to try and figure out what could possibly be causing it, although it can have many reasons - limiting your triggers will help you narrow down what could be causing your breakouts. 

 

WHAT IS ACNE? - UNDERSTANDING WHY IT FORMS. 

Acne is a inherited disorder of the pores that shed dead skin cells much faster than normal. A normal pore sheds about one layer of dead skin cells per day inside the pore. The acne prone poor sheds up to five layers of dead skin cells per day. The body just can’t keep up with it. This form is a microcomedone - the beginning all acne lesions. Taking up to 90 days to turn into a blackhead, congestion under the skin or if bacteria is present it can turns into inflammation pimples, pustules or cysts.  

 

Now that we know what acne is an why forms we want to be very careful on what we continue to put on our face and in our bodies. Booking a acne consultation with a specialist near you is the best way to start. Until you’re able to get in to see your specialist making these simple life adjustments will make your clearing process much easier. 

 

 

Lifestyle Choices Affecting your acne - 

These are a few things you were going to want to completely cut out and be very mindful of. 

Laundry fabric softener do not use this in the washer and do not use dryer sheets the waxy residue gets on your pillowcases, towels, wash cloths and sheets these all have direct contact with your skin this residue will clog your pores furthering more breakouts if you want something to stop the static in your dryer you can get anti-static balls from Bed Bath and Beyond, Target or online. If you miss the fragrance it’s gives off try doing a few drops of essential oils like lavender in the washer on or dryer balls. 

Detergent are packed with many fragrances and dyes aiding in skin irritation best to use fragrance free and clear. 

Water softeners can lead to acne especially those containing high amounts of potassium chloride check with your landlord or homeowner to see if your household uses a water softener.  

Swimming pools - swimming pool disinfectant contained iodides and chlorine which can remain in the water that can lead to break outs. A thin layer of Aquaphor or Vaseline before you get in the pool acts as a skin barrier against the chemicals. 

Beware of hand and body lotion they can have comedogenic ingredients.  If you are putting on body lotion be sure to wash your hand before touching your face. If you are a frequent user of hand lotion make sure to check those pore clogging ingredients. 

No picking or squeezing! Instead rub ice on your breakouts for a couple minutes twice a day if you pick squeeze or break the skin it will leave a scab, a red or dark mark that will be there for months making your skin look way worse than if you just left it alone. Icing is highly recommended.

 Birth control and hormone replacement - avoid “Lo” dose pills are higher in androgen hormones that can make acneprone skin worse. Visit your acne specialist and see what birth Controls are acne safe. Avoid IUDs like Mirena, Skyla and Liletta. Avoid Nuvo ring and progesterone hormone replacements. 

 

 Foods and supplements affecting acne this is a guideline only I only suggest you to cut back and moderate some food types. The try to reduce groups have been proven to be problems for acne prone skin. 

 

Foods to try to reduce 

Iodides 

Iodized salt 

Milk including organic and especially non-fat 

Cheese 

Wey or Soy protein shakes and protein bars

Soy - Tofu Soy Milk Tempeh Edamame Soy Sauce 

Seafood Shellfish Cod Scallops

Spirulina, Chorella, Blue-Green Alge 

Miso soup kelp seaweed seaweed supplements 

Vitamins with iodides, iodine, kelp, Potassium biotin and B12 

Foods High in Androgens 

Peanuts, Peanut Butter 

Peanut Oil, Corn Oil, Canola Oil

Shellfish Organ Meats including patè

 

 

Acceptable Substitute

Sea Salt, Uniodized Salt, Celtic Salt

Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Rice Milk

Nut cheese

Pea Protein, Egg White Powder, Hemp – still check for iodides and biotin before buying (Vega Sport Performance Protein & Perfect Fit are a few safe ones.)

Fresh Water Fish – lake trout, bass, catfish

Almond Butter or other nut butters

Olive Oil, Coconut Oil

Foods That Cause Inflammation: Trans Fats - Cakes, pies and cookies - Biscuits - Breakfast sandwiches - Margarine (stick and tub) - Crackers - Microwave popcorn - Cream-filled candies - Doughnuts Overheated fats – baked foods/ fried at high temperatures Excess Sugar Omega-6 oils (most vegetable oils) and not enough Omega-3s Known Food sensitivities (examples – fruit, gluten)

 

Anti-inflammatory Supplements

Zinc Monomethionine

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Probiotics