Your face might be revealing secrets about your diet. From pesky pimples to sudden swelling, experts say your skin can tell a lot about your eating habits.
There are treatments and medicines to help acne, but understanding your skin’s unique triggers could lead to lasting results. For example, that midnight snack or daily latte could be the hidden culprit behind your breakouts.
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Jill Therese, CEO of The Clear Code, works with clients to heal their acne naturally through nutrition. She explains that certain types of acne are often tied to diet and digestion.
“If you have red or inflamed acne [from the mouth down], it might be linked to sugar or sensitivity to foods like coffee, wine or nightshade vegetables,” she says.
Therese also notes that breakouts can indicate internal health issues. For example, acne in specific areas might suggest digestion challenges, such as constipation.
Pinpointing acne triggers
Figuring out exactly what’s causing your acne isn’t always straightforward. Many people take food sensitivity tests, but Therese believes they aren’t always reliable.
“Food sensitivity tests might tell you to avoid 85 foods when, in reality, the issue is often a gut microbiome imbalance,” Therese explains. Instead, she recommends focusing on repairing the gut by incorporating probiotic and prebiotic foods.
Examples of these include sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, bananas, garlic and honey. Therese believes these foods can be more beneficial than cutting out large portions of your diet or relying solely on food sensitivity tests.
Skincare routines that help
Of course, it’s not just about what you eat. According to Therese, acne healing is 75% diet and 25% skincare. She emphasizes simplifying your routine, especially if you’re dealing with acne.
“Don’t use oil cleansers or anything oil-based,” she says. “Fungal acne thrives on lipids.”
She also recommends skipping a cleanser in the morning and opting for a simple water wash instead. Overloading your skin with products can sometimes do more harm than good.
Do detoxes and diets work?
Social media makes it tempting to try trendy detoxes or diets that promise clear skin. While these might work in the short term, Therese warns they aren’t sustainable for long-term results.
“What happens the second you come off a detox?” she asks. “I don’t love them for longer-term issues, but if you need a quick fix for an event in two weeks, I can see the value.”
Therese also dispels the myth that acne is purely genetic. While genetics can play a role, she believes environment and habits are the determining factors in how skin issues manifest.
“You can be predisposed to acne, but how you manage your diet, lifestyle and skincare routine makes all the difference,” she says.
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Hydration’s role in skin health
Therese also highlights the importance of hydration. Drinking water — paired with electrolytes like lemon or Himalayan sea salt — can help your body function better inside and out. She adds that proper hydration is key to resolving common issues like constipation, which can contribute to breakouts.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
From pesky pimples to sudden swelling, what if your face spilled all of your secrets—about your diet?
No need to imagine, it’s the truth. Your skin can reveal a lot about your eating habits. Sure, there are treatments and medicines to help, but understanding your skin’s unique triggers could be the key to lasting results.
That midnight snack or daily latte could be the culprit behind your breakouts.
“If you have kind of red and/or inflamed acne here, right? You might be having a diet high in sugar and/or you might be sensitive to things like coffee, wine, nightshade vegetables.” – Jill Therese, CEO, The Clear Code
I spoke with Jill Therese, CEO of The Clear Code. Her company offers services regarding how a person’s diet can affect the health of their skin. These aren’t just surface-level issues we’re dealing with; Jill says breakouts can also be a sign of what’s happening internally.
“If you have acne here, I often see that associated with digestion challenges. So maybe you’re not going to the bathroom the way you should.” – Jill Therese
But figuring out exactly what’s triggering your acne can be tricky. While many people are quick to grab food sensitivity tests as they are popular, Jill says they aren’t always the best option—especially if you have a gut sensitivity issue.
“It could say you have a problem with like 85 foods, when, in fact, you just have a gut microbiome issue. And adding in things like probiotic foods—so sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, yogurt—or prebiotic foods like banana, garlic, honey, things like that, to support your overall microbiome can actually be more beneficial than removing a ton of foods or getting a gut health test.” – Jill Therese
Of course, it’s not just about what you eat. Jill believes acne healing is about 75 percent diet, and the remaining 25 percent is where skincare comes into play.
“If and when you’re dealing with acne, please, please do not use any type of oil cleanser or oil anything. Fungal acne thrives. It literally eats the yeast of that issue and feeds off of lipids. So it feeds off of fat.” – Jill Therese
Double cleansing with oil cleansers has become a trend lately, with influencers showing off their skincare routines. But Jill says—especially when dealing with acne—simplicity is key.
“I would recommend people water wash in the morning and not cleanse. You don’t need to cleanse your face in the morning.” – Jill Therese
While you’re scrolling through social media, you may be tempted to try the latest skincare products or even detoxes people rave about, but Jill says long-term results require more consistent changes.
“What happens the second you come off? I don’t love a detox for longer-term issues, but for more acute issues like, hey, I need to look fantastic in two weeks, I can see the value of it.” – Jill Therese
And for anyone thinking their acne is purely genetic, Jill explains that while genetics can set the stage, it’s your environment and habits that determine how things play out. Even if you’re predisposed to acne, like any health challenge, the way you manage your diet and lifestyle can make all the difference.
So whether it’s your diet, skincare routine, or even hydration levels, small changes can lead to big improvements in your skin. Staying hydrated with water and electrolytes—like pink Himalayan salt or lemon in your water—will help your body function better inside and out.
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