What Foods Cause Acne?

What Foods Cause Acne Breakouts?

By following these guidelines for clear skin, you can actively work to maintain healthy looking skin that is free of acne.

The old adage, ""you are what you eat"" cannot be truer than when it comes to common causes of acne. Often people who do not consume a healthy diet or whose diet lacks the proper amount of critical vitamins and minerals suffer from acne problems.

Remember, you body must be healthy before your skin can be healthy, so strive to eat a well balanced diet, and dedicate yourself to an active lifestyle in order to enjoy unblemished, smooth, and glowing skin.

If you are experiencing skin problems, instead of treating your body's largest organ with harsh chemicals or taking medications that may interfere with your other prescriptions, look first at the nutrition value of your current diet. Work to improve your skin and protect yourself from acne by following these guidelines.

Banish Fats, Oils, and Sugars

Consuming a diet high in fats, oils, and sugars can wreck havoc on an your skin. Just as these unsavory additions to your diet can cause other issues seen in your body, what you eat directly affects the quality of your skin.

Most people have experienced acne breakouts after binging on junk food or fast food, most of which is high in fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and oils. In order to stop acne breakouts associated with eating this unhealthy food, begin to replace these items in your diet with foods that are natural and healthy.

Avoid Popular Misconceptions

Many people are under the misconception that eating certain foods can cause or worsen their acne condition. The most popular food to blame for bad skin is undoubtedly chocolate. Chocolate lovers will take great pleasure in noting that no one specific type of food-including chocolate-has been proven to cause or worsen acne in individuals. However, you should enjoy your chocolate sparingly, as your entire diet can definitely affect the quality of your skin's appearance, even though one particular item may not be the trigger.

Try Organic Foods

When looking to change your diet for the better, take care in including fresh, wholesome foods into your new lifestyle. Many peopel have found great success in incorporating organic foods into their diet, since these items lack any added chemicals, preservatives, or potential toxins that can affect both your body and your skin.

Furthermore, structure your diet around fresh fruits and vegetables, most of which contain necessary vitamins that will positively affect your entire body. Also, you may want to avoid eating meat products high in fat, since fats can be quickly be stored in your system, lasting long after that greasy burger has been digested.

Consider Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Many people do not receive the properly daily recommended dose of vitamins or minerals in their diet. For this reason, you should look into including supplements in your daily health regimen. Remember, before consuming any medications or supplements of any kind, be sure to consult your primary health care provider to ensure the dosage is proper and the medication will not negatively interact with your current prescriptions.

Too, you may want to find a solid multi-vitamin that is specified for your gender, age, or activity level. Be sure to look for supplements that include Vitamin E, a necessary vitamin when it comes to the health of your skin.

Hydrate Your Body

Unless you are drinking at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day, you are not hydrating your body to a healthy extend. Most individuals are not properly hydrated and their skin pays the price. If you find your skin is dull, ashy, flaky, itchy, or excessively dry, you are not drinking enough water to benefit your body.

Hydrated skin is fresh and glowing, so you should drink up to experience these great effects! Also, drinking the proper amount of water on a daily basis will also benefit your overall sense of health. Avoid drinking sodas or sugary sports drinks, since the added sodium and sugar can be detrimental to your healthy lifestyle.

By following the above guidelines for clear skin, you can actively work to maintain healthy looking skin that is free of acne. If you find yourself suffering from acne or other skin conditions, focus inward instead for a treatment of this problem instead of slathering your skin with potentially harmful creams or lotions that may cause more harm that good. By eating a proper diet, you will ensure your skin is as healthy as you are.

Scott J. Patterson, Acne Care Information

Phoenix Doctor Launches Successful Cold Sore and Acne Remedies Against the Odds and Discovers the Power of the Web

Phoenix Doctor Launches Successful Cold Sore and Acne Remedies Against the Odds and Discovers the Power of the Web

Download this press release as an Adobe PDF document.

After twenty six years of successful results and testimonials, retired Phoenix surgeon turns to the web to introduce his magical cold sore and acne remedies to the masses. Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 23, 2006 –- Merrill S. Chernov, MD, has spent his working life saving lives. Thirty years ago while working in the burn unit of a Phoenix hospital, he created an anti bacterial solution for the skin. He soon after discovered the solution also had a remarkable ability to treat and rapidly heal cold sores and acne. In 1979, Dr Chernov founded the Joshua Skin Care Center, located in Phoenix, Arizona, where to this day he continues to sell his cold sore and acne solutions to the public. “When you get to my age it is difficult to embrace emerging technologies such as the internet, but I have been encouraged by hundreds of loyal customers to create a website so folks could order our product on line.” Anyone who clicks on the doctor’s website will be amazed to see all of the viewable cold sore, canker sore and acne treatment testimonials, some dating back to the 70’s. “Customers as far as Australia and Israel have purchased our cold sore remedy. Our product works faster than anything available on the shelves, it’s that simple.” Over 100 Million Americans suffer from cold sores (HSV-1 Herpes Virus). Amidst all of the remedies available and heavily advertised, Dr Chernov and his loyal customers believe that nothing can come close to his remedy known simply as “Doctor’s Cold Sore Solution.” When asked about the competition from the large pharmaceutical companies Dr Chernov smiled and said “ I cannot compete with their advertising budgets, word of mouth is my only source of advertising and has kept me in business, hopefully with a web presence word will get out to the world”. Jeffrey Fay, of Truckee, California says, “ I have tried all of the remedies for embarrassing cold sore outbreaks… most of them are applied by hand and make a expensive sloppy mess around my lips. Doctor’s Cold Sore Solution is a much cleaner application and seems to dry out the area and heal it very quickly…sometimes within one day!” After using the Anti Acne Solution, Tammy Mercer of Florida wrote, “what a big difference, I have had acne since I was 13 years old. I am 24 and have not been able to see my skin color because it was always red. I am going to continue using this product. I have tried everything. 11 years of this is a long time and it not only hurts the self-esteem but just plain hurts. You have made me believe I will not have this problem forever.” The magical solution is available in two containers; a convenient lipstick sized 4ml roll on tube and a larger 14ml bottle that is applied with a cotton ball. John Musil, a Scottsdale pharmacist who carries Dr. Chernov’s product also comments, “This is the best solution for cold sores and canker sores on the market today. We recommend it at our eleven pharmacies to every one of our customers. It is without equal.” Dr. Chernov has gone one step further with his on-line campaign—he offers a limited amount of the solution per week on EBay, winning bidders can leave testimonials and even write reviews of the product. “Up to now I have 100% positive feedback and have had several positive guides written for my solution on EBay,” Dr. Chernov says. Additionally Dr Chernov noted “there are not many medical solutions off the shelves that offer a 60 day money back guarantee, that is how confident I am that we will get return customers and NOT returned products.” Dr. Chernov operates the Joshua Skin Care Center in Phoenix Arizona. He also offers proven remedies to relieve shingles and chicken pox which is caused by the herpes zoster virus. He is also the founder of a non-profit organization people saving pets and insists that none of his solutions have been tested on animals.

How to handle adult acne yet fight wrinkles

I would love to see an article or suggestions on problem-solving for people dealing with wrinkles and acne. I know you have written about them separately, but what about those of us who have adult breakouts plus worries about wrinkles? What do we do? Help!

-- Carmen, via email

Dear Carmen, Many 40- and 50-something women, including those with minimal to no history of acne, find themselves dealing with wrinkles and breakouts at the same time. We know that wrinkles are the cumulative result of unprotected sun exposure (extrinsic) and internal factors tied to aging (intrinsic), but what kind of cruel joke is Mother Nature playing when she deals our skin the double-whammy of wrinkles and acne?

Adult breakouts, particularly for women, are generally tied to one of two sources: hormones or the overuse of products that are too emollient for their skin type. If you have fallen for the widespread claim that an aging face is a "mature" skin type and therefore needs a range of rich, ultra-moisturizing products, you may have set your skin up for the breakouts you're experiencing now. If that is not the case and your skin-care routine remains suitable for your overall skin type, you may want to visit your physician to have your hormone levels checked. The role of androgens (male hormones) should be carefully considered, especially if you are entering or have just finished menopause. A surge in androgens can cause acne flares, particularly as estrogen levels drop. Your physician will discuss treatment options to help balance hormones, which should reduce (if not eliminate) breakouts.

As for how to treat blemishes and wrinkles, my previous advice for both still applies. Blemishes must be treated with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser, a topical disinfectant (a gentle benzoyl peroxide product), a beta hydroxy acid exfoliant (BHA/salicylic acid), and by avoiding products that are thick, greasy or occlusive. For fighting wrinkling, lightweight toners, serums, or very thin lotions loaded with antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and ingredients that mimic the structure of healthy skin can improve the skin's condition and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Don't forget that your greatest anti-wrinkle ally remains an effective sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher, and that it must be applied every day, rain or shine. Use a lightweight sunscreen to avoid exacerbating blemish-prone areas; you'll get the best results using a matte-finish foundation with an effective sunscreen.

Another option to address wrinkles and blemishes is the active ingredient tretinoin, found in prescription products such as Renova, Tazorac, and Retin-A. Tretinoin not only has the ability to stimulate collagen production (which reduces wrinkles), but also affects the way new skin cells are formed, travel through the pore's follicle lining, and are shed. Reconfiguring this process so it functions in a more normal manner unclogs pores and often has a significant impact on preventing new breakouts from occurring (Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology, December 2001, page 43). Note that if you decide to use a tretinoin product, it cannot be applied with benzoyl peroxide because the latter inactivates tretinoin. Use the benzoyl peroxide over blemishes in the morning, and apply the tretinoin product at night. For detailed battle plans that address wrinkles and blemishes, please visit www.CosmeticsCop.com.

Paula Begoun is the author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me (6th edition)" (Beginning Press, $27.95). Write to her at 1030 SW 34th St., Suite A, Renton, WA 98055 or check out her Web site: www.cosmeticscop.com

Acne Myths

Myth: Fatty foods and chocolates affect acne
Fact: Although it is always important for general health to follow a balanced diet, there is no proof that eating fatty foods and chocolates will cause or worsen acne. In fact, there is a poor relationship between acne and diet in general. An exception to the rule is iodised table salt which may aggravate acne. But if you find that certain foods have a bad influence on your skin, try to avoid them – it may be causing an allergic reaction.

Myth:Only teenagers have acne
Fact: Rarely, babies are born with acne and some people get acne for the first time after they’ve reached adulthood. Most people outgrow acne; but in women it may last until the menopause. 5% of women of 40 years of age have acne; but only 1% of men in that age group.

Myth: Acne can be cured
Fact: Not yet - but don't despair, it can be treated effectively.

Myth: Poor hygiene can cause acne
Fact: Acne is not caused by dirt or surface oil. As many people believe it to be the case, they tend to overwash their skin, thereby making acne worse, drying the skin out and causing flare-ups. It is only necessary to wash your skin twice a day with a gentle soap.

Myth: Being in the sun can improve acne
Fact: There is no evidence that sunlight improves acne. Sunlight can do more harm than good as it leads to early ageing and increases your risk of skin cancer. Many medications used to treat acne can actually make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

Myth: You should let acne run its course
Fact: Why run the risk of letting acne run its course? There have been great advances in the treatment of acne and with the right treatment, acne can be cleared up.

Myth: Acne is caused by stress
Fact: Stress cannot cause acne but it can make acne worse and having acne can be very stressful.

Myth: There is nothing I can do about scarring
Fact: Thanks to modern technology though, you don’t have to be scarred for life! Before launching into the many ways to treat acne scarring, there’s one sure method of preventing or limiting the extent of scarring. Treat acne itself early and effectively, for as long as necessary. There are many different ways in which you could treat scarring. Go to the section on scarring to learn everything you need to know.

Myth: Acne is an infection
Fact: Acne is a skin disorder caused by a combination of factors, including hormones and genetics.

Myth: Acne is only a cosmetic disease
Fact: Acne can also affect your mood, self confidence and the way you feel about yourself. You may feel that everyone is staring at you and you may even avoid going out and socialising. You may also feel hopeless and even depressed. Fortunately there are many things you can do to lift your spirits and to make you feel more confident. The first step is to speak to someone you trust. If need be, professional help is available to help you deal with things.

Myth: It is safe to stop your medication if your acne has cleared up
Fact: Never stop on your own – always ask your doctor or dermatologist first. If you stop your medication too soon, or even if you change the dose, your acne might flare up again.

Myth: Sex and masturbation can lead to acne
Fact: This is an age-old myth. Although the sex hormone testosterone is a major cause of acne, whether or not you engage in any sexual act has no effect on acne and definitely doesn’t cause it.