Acne - real causes

Foods to eat and avoid

Research shows that refined foods, dairy products, and sugary foods and beverages may be associated with acne development and worsen its symptoms.

Therefore, it’s best to eat whole, nutritious foods.
Foods and beverages to enjoy:

Vegetables: broccoli, spinach, kale, peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, beets, etc.
Fruit: berries, grapefruit, oranges, apples, cherries, bananas, pears, grapes, peaches, etc.
Whole grains and starchy vegetables: Sweet potato, quinoa, butternut squash, farro, brown rice, oats, buckwheat, etc.
Healthy fats: whole eggs, olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, nut butters, coconut oil, etc.
Plant-based dairy alternatives: cashew milk, almond milk, coconut milk, coconut yogurt, etc.
High-quality protein: salmon, tofu, chicken, turkey, eggs, shellfish, etc.
Legumes: chickpeas, black beans, lentils, kidney beans, etc.
Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices: turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, parsley, garlic, ginger, cayenne, etc.
Unsweetened beverages: water, sparkling water, green tea, hibiscus tea, lemon water, etc.

Foods and beverages to avoid:

Dairy products, refined foods, and high-sugar foods and beverages should be avoided:

Milk and dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
Highly processed foods: fast food, frozen meals, meal bars, sugary cereals, chips, microwave meals, white bread, etc.
Sweets and sugary beverages: candy, cake, soda, cookies, table sugar, energy drinks, sweetened sports drinks, juice, etc.

Face Cleansers for Acne-Prone Skin

1. SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel

Featuring a potent combination of lipohydroxy (also known as ascapryloyl salicylic acid), salicylic and glycolic acids, this acne-fighting cleanser is an exfoliating powerhouse. It cleanses deep into your pores and removes dead and damaged skin cells, leaving you with smoother, brighter and blemish-free skin.

2. Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

This lightweight cleanser features 2% salicylic acid to wash away dirt, oil and dead skin cells that may have accumulated in the pores, while menthol provides cooling and soothing relief. The best part? It does so without leaving your skin tight and dry.

3. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex

Infused with salicylic acid from white willow bark, antioxidant-rich chamomile and skin-healing centella asiatica, this clarifying face wash is formulated for men and women of all skin types. It exfoliates and unclogs pores to boost cell turnover, soothes inflamed skin and counters free radical damage. Also works as a makeup remover and a deep-cleansing shaving cream!

4. Eminence Organic Skin Care Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam

Especially formulated for acne-prone and oily skin, this foaming face wash marries the pimple-fighting power of salicylic acid with a calming blend of natural herbs, vitamin E and aloe vera so skin feels clean and refreshed, not tight or overly dry, post-cleanse.

5. EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

This oil-free, pH-balanced formula gently cleanses without irritating or drying your skin. Enriched with bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapple juice) and apple amino acids, this foaming cleanser easily removes makeup, excess oil and impurities, leaving your skin looking and feeling smoother and softer, with your skin’s natural moisture retained.

6. PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser

Gentle on skin but tough on acne-causing bacteria, this cleanser is formulated with a five-percent-concentration benzoyl peroxide to effectively heal and prevent breakouts. It’s also infused with soothing botanicals like aloe, cucumber, nettle and chamomile extracts to calm inflammation while keeping skin clear and rejuvenated.

7. NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash

One of the best ingredients to look for in a cleanser if you have acne-prone skin: glycolic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid. This face wash utilizes glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin sans irritation and unclog pores to keep your complexion clear. Plus, the grapefruit extract in the formula helps even out your skin tone (a must if you have scars from previous breakouts).

8. Dermalogica Active Clearing Skin Wash

This fragrance- and colorant-free foaming cleanser is infused with salicylic acid and soothing botanical extracts (balm mint, eucalyptus, tea tree, burdock and camphor), soothing aggravated skin while keeping acne-causing bacteria at bay.

9. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Deep Cleansing Foaming Cream

Ideal for oil, shiny and sensitive skin, this creamy cleanser develops into a soft, rich foam that thoroughly cleanses skin of dirt and makeup while removing excess oil, visibly minimizing the look of enlarged pores.

10. Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser

This gentle, soap-free, non-irritating facial wash combines the cleansing and exfoliating action of glycolic acid with sorbitol, a natural humectant derived from berries. This combination leaves skin soft and hydrated without the need for a post-cleansing toner or astringent.

11 thing that will help with your acne.

1. Wash your face twice a day
If you’re prone to breakouts or have oily skin, don’t skimp on washing your face as part of your morning and evening skin care routine.

In a studyTrusted Source that focused specifically on face washing, participants were asked to wash their face one, two, or four times a day for a six-week period.

At the end of the study, there was a significant improvement in the acne lesions of those who washed their face twice a day. The participants who only washed their face once a day had the greatest increase in pimples.

2. Use a mild cleanser
The aisles at most drugstores are packed with all sorts of facial cleansers. Trying to figure out which one is right for you can be overwhelming.

When it comes to choosing the “best” cleanser, fancier may not necessarily be better.

A systematic reviewTrusted Source of 14 studies found that there really isn’t much difference in skin breakouts, no matter what type of cleanser you use.

The studies included everything from cleansing bars and antibacterial soaps to cleansers that contained alpha and beta hydroxy acids.

While this may be disappointing if you’ve spent a lot of money on an expensive cleanser, the takeaway here is that keeping it simple is probably best.

A mild cleanser without a lot of ingredients and fragrances can work just as well as more expensive options.

3. Apply an acne-fighting agent
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), many topical therapies can help fight acne. The key to finding the most effective one for you is knowing what type of acne you have.

Depending on the type of acne you have, the AAD recommends the following:

Comedonal acne (blackheads and similar bumps). Look for products that contain retinoids like adapalene gel (Differin).
Mild acne. Topical benzoyl peroxide can help fight mild acne, either on its own or together with a topical retinoid.
Inflammatory acne. Topical dapsone 5 percent gel is recommended, particularly in adult females.
Acne with scarring. Azelaic acid preparations can help reduce acne and the risks of acne scarring.
If you want to simultaneously target different types of acne, the AAD recommends using a combination of benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, or adapalene gel.

Using these treatments together may dry out your skin, so be sure to use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

4. Apply a moisturizer
How does a moisturizer help keep your skin clear? Well, if your skin is excessively dry, it may try to compensate for the dryness by overproducing oil. The result? Breakouts.

Like cleansers, moisturizers don’t have to be expensive or filled with fancy ingredients. More importantly, look for a moisturizer that’s noncomedogenic. This means it won’t clog your pores.

If you have oily skin, moisturizers labeled “lightweight” may be best to prevent a heavy, greasy feeling.

Some people find they have to switch to heavier moisturizers during the winter months when cold, dry air can leave skin feeling tight and dried out.

5. Exfoliate
Exfoliation can help remove excess dead skin cells. If these cells stay on your skin for too long, they can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

Having a buildup of dead cells on your face may also make your skin look dull, flaky, or prematurely aged.

The following exfoliation methods may help clear away dry and dead skin:

a 2 percent salicylic acid mask
a 10 percent or less glycolic acid mask or lotion
a motorized facial brush
How often should you exfoliate? It really depends on the type of exfoliation you use.

For chemical exfoliants, like masks or lotions, aim for once or twice a week. For physical exfoliants, like scrubs or brushes, aim for three or four times a week.

Start with fewer exfoliating sessions and work your way up to prevent over-exfoliating.

If you have inflammatory acne (pustules and cysts), the AAD recommends that you talk to your dermatologist first, as some types of exfoliation may make inflammatory acne worse.

6. Get plenty of sleep
Not getting enough sleep may also cause your skin to break out more often.

According to a 2015 study, more than 65 percent of the study’s participants who said they felt tired also had acne.

The study’s authors theorized that a lack of sleep could, in some instances, cause the body to release inflammatory compounds. These compounds could cause the skin to break out or worsen acne.

To stay healthy both on the inside and out, aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.

7. Choose makeup that won’t clog your pores
A 2013 studyTrusted Source found people who use cosmetics seem to be more likely to have skin breakouts. To ensure your makeup routine is skin-friendly, be sure to:

Use products labeled “noncomedogenic” or “oil-free.”
Always wash your hands before applying makeup or skin care products.
Always remove your makeup before going to sleep or exercising.
Wash makeup brushes and sponges on a weekly basis.
Makeup can cause its own form of acne that doctors call acne cosmeticaTrusted Source. This condition causes small, raised bumps that usually appear on the chin, cheeks, or forehead.

8. Don’t pick at your skin
It’s really, really hard not to pick at a zit. But, for the health of your skin, it’s important to resist.

Picking or popping a zit exposes the pore to even more bacteria, including those from your hands. It also increases the risk of infection or scarring.

If you have a pimple that really hurts, see a dermatologist. They can perform specialized treatments to safely get rid of the pimple while also minimizing the risk of infection.

9. Relax
Several studies, including one from 2017Trusted Source, have shown a connection between stress and acne. If you’re dealing with a stressful event or situation, look for healthy ways to de-stress. Some options include:

exercising at a high to moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes
doing breathing exercises
doing yoga
meditating for a few minutes
writing it out
practicing sound therapy, like playing a musical instrument or listening to your favorite music
10. Go easy on the sugar
Although there’s limited research on the connection between your diet and your skin, several studies have shown that foods with a high glycemic index may be linked with acne.

In a large study from 2009, more than 2,000 participants were placed on a low-glycemic diet. Not only did they lose weight, but 87 percent of the study’s participants also found they had less acne. Additionally, 91 percent said they needed less acne medication.

To cut back on foods with a high glycemic index try to:

Limit processed carbs, like white bread and baked goods.
Cut back on sugary sodas and sweets.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy sources of protein.
Limit alcohol consumption.
11. Don’t smoke
There’s a good deal of scientific evidence that links smoking with a higher risk of acne.

One study included women from 25 to 50 years of age who had acne. The authors of this study found that almost 73 percent of the participants who smoked had acne, while only 29.4 percent of the women who didn’t smoke had pimples or some other form of acne.

If you need help with quitting to***co, talk to your doctor about quit aids that may help.