It’s time to break up with adult acne! As adults, it’s not fun to be dealing with those pesky pimples, no matter how small, big or painful they are. At the end of the day, our body is trying to send us a message that something is lacking or going wrong within. We’re here to help you figure out what that might be, and how to target it at the root cause!

So, what is adult acne?

Adult acne usually occurs after the age of 25. The main contributors to adult acne are often overlooked, but mostly they include: hormones and stress (causing excess oil production), inflammation (from diet and/or genetics) and lack of nutrients (poor gut health and/or diet). If you’re suffering with adult acne and all of the topical skincare products and solutions you are using aren’t cutting it, it’s most likely because the cause of your acne is something deeper, like the contributors listed above.

How to manage acne from the inside

The correlation between diet and acne has been studied in depth by many researchers over many different corporate and independent studies. Many studies have found that foods such as milk, chocolate, fatty and oily foods or sugary drinks can trigger acne in adults. The reason these foods tend to cause acne is due to the hormones, insulin levels and sebum they produce, in other words, they increase your chances of acne breakouts.

Most people with acne are probably aware that foods high in sugar, dairy and oil can often be the culprit but it’s important to not only decrease your intake of the foods, but to regularly consume nutritious foods that are acne-fighting foods too. These nutritional foods are going to help decrease inflammation in the body, decrease excess oil production, support healthy hormonal balance, support stress regulation and improve gut health. Here’s our top 10 tips:

• Anti-inflammatory Omega 3s - salmon, fish, oysters, flax seeds and chia seeds will all help to decrease inflammation in the body.
• Eat the rainbow! Regularly consume colourful vegetables & fruits of a large variety. When it comes to gut health, the more diversity in your diet the better and healthier your gut microbiome will be. A healthy gut will also mean healthier routes of detoxification, meaning that your skin is less likely to be a route of elimination for toxins that your body doesn’t want. Diversity also means a large range of nutrients and antioxidants which help to reduce acne. Getting these nutrients through your diet is always the best way, as most greens powders are not kind to the gut and can cause digestive issues.
• All-natural and non-toxic ingredients that work with your body to help decrease symptoms of acne. The Inside & Out gut program has been scientifically formulated to contain essential vitamins, herbs and minerals that help to support gut health, achieve healthy hormonal balance for women and directly reduce symptoms of acne and breakouts.
• Drinking at least 2-3L of water a day, helps to reduce toxins in the body and maintain hydration levels, which is essential for clear & glowing skin. If you struggle to drink enough water then invest in a large drink bottle that you can take to work with you and even try adding some fresh lemon for some flavour!
• Foods with selenium (garlic, eggs, brown rice, tuna, salmon). Selenium helps the body produce a special enzyme that combats inflammation. It also works to protect other skin supporting antioxidants.
• Limit processed and sugary foods and drinks to limit chances of breakouts. This will help improve your gut health and hormonal balance as well.
• Beauty sleep is important, so important! Along with a healthy and nutritious diet, enough sleep can reduce stress levels, assist with hormonal balance, assist with cleansing & detoxification of the body and support good gut health. Add all of those benefits together and you have acne-free skin! (Big tip for quality sleep: implement a nighttime routine that allows your mind to switch off and prepare for sleep. Make it reasonable and realistic for you and stay consistent with it).

If you’re lacking any ideas on how to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into your diet, then sign up to our newsletter and you will receive our 50 FREE recipe eBook, full of recipes that your gut will love. Remember, there are no quick fixes when it comes to health, it all comes down to consistency over time. Look at your body as your lifelong friend, you have to treat it with respect and love. Everyday we make decisions that impact the way our body functions, make those decisions good ones and you’ll be looking and feeling fab in no time.

~This blog is for informational purposes only, regardless of the advice of holistic health practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. Please obtain medical advice relevant to your particular circumstances from your health professional.