Diet doesn’t eat that – it comes zits! We have all heard from parents, friends or even your family doctor. But the fact is that even after extensive study, scientists have not found a link between diet acne. Not chocolate. Not French fries. Not pizza.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “A healthy diet is important for improving raw materials for healthy skin, but also note that fatty or sugary foods do not cause acne.1 Similarly, a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association allowed, “Diet plays no role in the treatment of acne in most patients … even large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne.” 1 Of course, this does not mean that you should make a habit of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so what is good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Nutrients for healthy skin. There are a number of nutrients found in everyday foods that are known to promote a healthy body – and therefore healthy skin. Get wise to these substances, and you can increase your chances of conquering your acne.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Vitamin A. Naturally Vitamin A or retinol, is found in fish oils, liver and dairy products. The Vitamin A produced by plants is known as beta-carotene, and is found in yellow / orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, apricots and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables like parsley, kale and spinach. Extremely high doses of vitamin A are toxic, so do not overdo it.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Vitamin B-2. Stress has been known to aggravate cases of acne, and Vitamin B-2 is often helpful to relieve stress. Foods with a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Vitamin B-3. Found in peanuts, eggs, avocados, lean meat and liver, vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It also reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood and helps you metabolize protein, sugar and fat – increasing your energy through proper utilization of food.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Vitamin E. Vitamin E is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils. A powerful antioxidant protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially harmful to the products of metabolism of the body.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Zinc. Even in small amounts, the antioxidant zinc is known to stimulate the immune system, improving overall health – which of course is reflected in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole cereals, nuts and mushrooms.
Acne Prevention & Diet – Know your trigger. Since acne is different for everyone, there may be some foods that cause flare-ups in your skin. Clearly, these foods should be avoided. You may also want to check your vitamin supplements for their iodine content, while the normal amount of iodine has not been shown to affect skin, amounts greater than the RDA of 150 mcg may aggravate your acne.
In general, use common sense. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy, balanced – but do not be afraid to indulge your every desire, sooner or later.