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.
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.
