What your acne says about your diet

We all get them. Those annoying little whiteheads that seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times. Usually we attribute them to hormones and that time of the month or sweat and dirt and grit. While these are all plausible reason for these blemishes, the placement of the pimples might signal an underlying issue. The correlation between diet and where these white heads pop up might just surprise you.

Forehead

Stress and digestive distress are usually the cause for zits along the forehead and hairline. To combat these, make sure to get plenty of rest and lots of water. In addition, try washing your headbands and hats periodically to prevent the buildup of sweat along the hairline that can cause further breakouts.

In addition, a stressed-out gut can cause forehead pimples. Take care to remove excess sugars and processed foods from your diet to alleviate the burden on your digestive system. Instead, focus on fibrous fruits, veggies, whole grains and plant-based fats.

Cheeks

Your lungs and respiratory system are usually the cause for pimples along the cheeks. This can be due to polluted air quality which is especially common for those living in big cities. If this is you, be sure to pay special attention and wash face thoroughly several times a day to prevent build up in your pores.
Furthermore, dirty pillowcases and cellphones are two more culprits for zits on your cheeks. Be sure to clean pillow cases and wipe down your cell phone daily to prevent bacteria from entering your pores.

Chin and Jawline

Typically, we see more breakouts in this region during menstruation and pregnancy when hormones increase. In order to reduce the occurrence of these breakouts, try eliminating dairy, a known endocrine disrupter and adding in a probiotic or digestive enzyme to combat inflammation and reduce these hormonal breakouts.

T-Zone

This is the area between your eyes that runs along your nose from down to your chin. If you’re experiencing most of your acne here, chances are the gut is under attack. This area is often the signal that that the gut is inflamed due to food quality and/or intolerances. Breakouts on the nose are linked to kidney and liver function as well. When the liver and kidneys are stressed, it mean that the body is having a hard time breaking down foods.
Some of the most common culprits are red meat, dairy, fast foods and processed white sugars, trans and saturated fats, alcohol, and spicy foods. Try swapping out these GI disrupters with leafy greens, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. In addition, work to increase water consumption to flush any toxins from the body and restore order to the gut.

Keeping Your Diet In Check Long Term

A blemish-free face is just another perk of a clean diet and healthy lifestyle. Focus on predominately whole foods sources, water, rest, stress management and keeping your face and objects near your face clean. Add a skin regime to your daily routine for maximum skin-clearing benefits and to preserve youthfulness, elasticity and hydration.