Beauty Foods for Treating Acne-Prone Skin

Complexion woes are never just skin deep. Topicals alone won’t fix the problem. What you eat plays a major role in establishing harmony from the inside, out. Here are a few naturopathic tips that will not only get your skin back on track, they will have you feeling energised and radiant!

• Look after your liver: The liver is one of the most important organs in dictating the health of our skin. Acne is a sign that your liver is overloaded with toxins. Drinking our No. 1 Green Goddess Detox Tea and taking our Inner Essentials - Skin + Liver Cleanse Tablets daily is an easy way to support this vital organ. These herbal elixirs contain an abundance of herbs including liver loving Dandelion and Burdock Root that work to detoxify and repair your liver, getting to the internal cause of your acne woes.
  
  
• Stock up on fibre: Clear skin starts with a healthy gut. Fibre is crucial for maintaining digestive function, balancing hormones, and combating acne. Get your fix by making low GI fruits such as apples and pears, whole grains such as buckwheat and oats along with flaxseed part of your daily diet. I recommend taking at least 3 tablespoons daily, it is rich in lignans which bind and remove excess hormones.
  
  
• Avoid sugar, dairy, and alcohol: Skin is very sensitive to changes in insulin. High levels stimulate sebum production, which leads to breakouts. Surges are triggered by consuming sugar, dairy, and alcohol (hence why you often get blemishes after an indulgent weekend). if you reduce your intake of these foods, your skin will thank you. Stick to a low glycaemic index diet to improve blood sugar and insulin control. Consider herbs such as gymnema, goats rue and chromium for oily and acne-prone skin linked to PCOS and hormone imbalances.
  
  
• Opt for functional foods: Upping your intake of certain nutrients is a wonderful way to reduce acne. Here are three of our favorites:
• Zinc: Not only is zinc responsible for moderating sebum levels, but it's also effective at balancing hormones, regulating insulin and reducing the body’s inflammatory response to bacteria. Zinc-rich foods include garbanzo beans,  seeds (hemp, pumpkin, sunflower), oatmeal, tofu, and spinach.
• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is crucial when it comes to a healthy complexion. It's responsible for the natural shedding of the skin cells, which helps keep pores clear. Up your dose of Vitamin A by filling your plate with pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, apricot, squash and dark leafy greens.
• Fermented foods: Probiotic-rich fermented foods are shown to improve acne by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Sauerkraut, miso and kefir are musts. You can also take a probiotic supplement to strengthen your microbiome.
  
  
• Hormone harmony: Regulating hormones is an important factor in controlling acne. Our No. 4 Golden Glow Tea contains red clover and licorice, which work to support hormone balance, plus lymphatic herbs burdock and cleavers to detoxify and cleanse. Upping your intake of fibre also helps.