Diet:
Specific foods have not been proven to affect acne. However it
is important to note that good nutrition helps the body maintain
healthy skin. There have been some scientists suggesting that
caffeine products and excessively salty foods aggravate acne
in certain individuals. If you notice that certain foods aggravate
your acne then the best advice is to limit or avoid them in your
diet.
So what foods should you look into? Well, examine
foods high in iodine. Watch out for multi-vitamins (some contain
iodine). Be aware of some junk foods such as potato chips, corn
chips, etc. Keep your diet low in fat and sugar.
Eating a properly balanced diet ensures that your
body gets the proper nutrients and therefore promotes healthy skin.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. A high fiber, low-fat diet
is excellent in promoting overall general health.
Exercise:
Exercise is good for your overall health. It will increase your
blood circulation and bring more oxygen to your major organs
including the skin. The benefits you get from exercise are not
only physical but to a large extent mental benefits.
Just make sure that you wash your face after an
intense exercise session to remove any oil or sweat on your skin
that may harbor bacteria, resulting in more acne.
Sleep:
Research has indicated that our hormone levels increase when our sleep patterns
are disturbed. Increased hormone levels results in increased sebum production
which leads to... yep you guessed it--more acne. It is during our time of sleep
that our skin cells begin to be nourished and regenerating takes place the most
as the body repairs itself from a long day. Get to bed earlier! Go to bed at
least 1 or 2 hours early than you usually do and in a couple of days you will
notice your face getting clearer and more healthy. Individuals have also reported
severe acne outbreaks due to prolonged sleep deprivation.
Stress:
Stress is something that needs to be reduced in your life since it tends to aggravate
acne in many people. I have experienced high levels of stress during finals weeks
at school resulting in increased levels of acne.
So, how do you lower your stress levels. Aside from eliminating things that
cause you stress in your life, look into relaxation techniques. Relaxation
techniques are great for stressful situations. You may even look into practicing
meditation or yoga to further reduce your stress levels.
