Hi lostgirl,
As a male who suffered with acne during my late teens up until about a year ago, I have a few suggestions that have helped me tremendously. The
problem is, every person reacts to certain dietary and topical solutions differently, as well as hormonal changes, so there's no one "fix-all"
solution. It really can be tough to figure out what is triggering your acne, as there's so many variables, but I hope the following can be of some
assistance to your daughter;
- For me, I noticed the biggest improvements from dietary changes. I cut out all processed foods and fizzy drinks; instead opting for natural
foods dense in nutrients. Your daughter should try to eat foods that assist the skin in repair and maintenance, foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E & K,
Omegas 3 & 6, Mono-saturated Fats, Zinc, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Some of these also contribute to a healthy immune system, which is an
often overlooked aspect to combating acne. Zinc deficiency can also lead to acne, so it's worth investigating that aspect.
- What this means for my diet personally is, eating lots of sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli, fish, berries, carrots, avocados, red peppers and
nuts, but there's many other nutrient rich foods out there, so it's just about doing your homework and finding out what you like.
- I cut out dairy. This isn't something everyone should do, but it was certainly a contributing factor for me. Instead I drink almond or hemp
milk, both of which I enjoy very much. I also started drinking Rooibos tea, as it's rich with antioxidants, and green tea for my caffeine kick. I
count this towards my daily water intake, but it's always good to have just water on it's own. Water assists greatly in flushing out toxins from the
body.
- Your daughter may also want to be mindful of how what she is eating is affecting her blood sugar levels. Spikes in blood sugar ultimately
lead to an increase in activity in your oil glands, which in turn can contribute to acne. Eating a balanced diet inclusive of low GI foods (of which
many of the above I listed are), can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and therefore healthier skin.
- Now, this isn't anything personal, but the way we wash can also have an effect on our skin. People think having a hot steamy shower is a good
way to clean ourselves. In fact, I think it's the opposite, especially for those with acne. Having a quick warm shower is great, but washing your face
twice a day and moisturising is key. As another member posted, dry skin can clog pores leading to acne, so using a gentle face wash, followed by a
non-comedogenic moisturiser (non-comedogenic meaning it won't block your pores) is really best practice.
- My final point would be, to be patient. If your daughter changes an aspect of her diet, or a certain wash regime or whatever, she shouldn't
expect to see results the next day. A problem with some people is, if they don't see results quick, they give up, which can mean they're giving up on
the potential "cure", for lack of a better word. I didn't see changes until after a month, but once I did, it spurred me to keep going, and ultimately
become essentially acne free.
Anyway, I hope at least some of the above can help your daughter. I can attest to the fact that you
CAN overcome acne. A lot of people think
acne isn't so bad, and that people who get depressed over their acne are somewhat over-exaggerating. But the truth is, apart from being potentially
very painful, it can also be a sign that that there's a bigger health issue that needs to be addressed. Whether it be hormonal, or dietary -
addressing acne can lead to becoming an overall healthier person.
Because I addressed my acne problem, I now eat right and exercise often, which has had a significant effect on my health, and I just have more
confidence now to get out there and do stuff, y'know. I know it sounds silly, but it certainly has changed my life.
Best of luck
P.S - sorry for the essay, I just realised how much I wrote
edit on 22-4-2017 by DeusInAbsentia because: (no reason given)
edit
on 22-4-2017 by DeusInAbsentia because: (no reason given)
edit on 22-4-2017 by DeusInAbsentia because: Spelling (as always)