For those who suffer from breakouts on the regular or even those on the odd occasion, there is an overwhelming amount of information about how to avoid them. Healthy, glowing skin without hassle is what we are about at Byron Bay Skincare, so we have taken this one step further to share with you what we believe plays a huge part in avoiding those pesky spots.
Diet:
Your diet can influence the sebum (oil) production in the skin, hormone regulation, and inflammation, all of which can set the stage for acne.
High-glycemic-load diets continue to show the strongest evidence as dietary acne triggers. Brisbane dermatologist, Dr Brian De’Ambrosis, said many dermatologists will now recommend a low GI diet improve acne. A glycemic index is a number assigned to carbohydrate foods based on how quickly or slowly they digest and affect the blood sugar. Foods such as white bread, pasta, potatoes, french fries, chocolate, sodas and any foods high in glucose have a high glycemic index. You can find a comprehensive list of high glycemic foods here. Mum always says chocolate sets them off - perhaps she is right!
Studies largely support the connection between an increase in consumption of omega-3s and antioxidants and a decrease in acne. Fatty, oily fish is an excellent source of DHA and EPA, which are two types of omega-3 fatty acid while antioxidants are mostly found in plant-based whole foods. Antioxidants are particularly rich in foods such as blueberries, strawberries, nuts, kale, beans, beets, artichokes and cabbage.
But remember, while it is beneficial to be aware of what you are putting into your body, it is equally important not to restrict yourself of food groups, practice balance - despite what Mum says a little bit of chocolate won’t hurt you!
Lifestyle:
Acne is often an indication that the body is not eliminating toxins properly from the system, this can be a result of several lifestyle factors.
Stress is another cause of unwanted breakouts, though we can’t rid stress altogether we can minimise its effects on our body by introducing acts of self-care. Find what works for you, it could be a meditation session, some yoga, a walk or simply a chat with a friend.
Everything in moderation is crucial, especially when we consider alcohol. Alcohol removes water and nutrients from your body, causing dehydration. This causes overproduction of oil to compensate for the dehydration which can create conditions we associate with the oily skin type, including blemishes and breakouts.
Hormone imbalance:
Sometimes breakouts are tied to fluctuations in your hormones. Learning to balance hormones naturally can have profound effects on mental, physical and emotional health.
Studies show sugar increases insulin (the hormone that regulates our blood sugar) levels and promotes insulin resistance, knocking other hormones out of balance. Sugar is extremely hard to avoid as it is in most foods on the shelf, so reducing your intake is a good place to start as this will help to regulate your hormones.
Easier said than done, but as we all know a good nights sleep has many favourable benefits on the body and mind. Our circadian rhythm affects the hormones cortisol and ghrelin and a night of interrupted sleep can contribute to imbalances of these hormones. So, ditch the Netflix and indulge in an early night instead.
Skincare:
A skin regime you stick to is a great foundation for healthy skin. A good skincare regime needs to be part of your lifestyle, not just a range of products in your bathroom cabinet! It doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or take an hour out of your day. Just a simple three-step regime, but here’s the catch, consistency is key. Cleanse, exfoliate (twice a week post-cleansing) and moisturise. These are the basic building blocks of reliable skin. Fundamental to the benefits a consistent regime is also choosing the right skincare for your skin type. There are four basic types of healthy skin: normal, dry, oily and combination skin. Luckily at Byron Bay Skincare, we have an uncomplicated capsule collection of skincare to suit all skin types.
A Cream Cleanser is a great choice for dry and sensitive skin while a Gel Cleaner is more suitable for normal and oily prone skin.
Our Exfoliant and Mask acts as a 2 in 1, performing as both an exfoliant and a weekly cleansing mask, this product is suitable for all skin types. Try using it just before a shower; pop it on for 5 mins prior to your shower and then jump in, inhale the botanical aroma and let the steam do its thing before you exfoliate away impurities and dead skin cells. A weekly treatment at home has never been so easy and divine.
When choosing a moisturiser, we recommend our Replenishing Cream for those with dryer and sensitive skin as this product deeply moisturises every layer of the skin. Our Hydrating Lotion is a lighter formula best suited to those with normal or oily skin. Remember too - even oily skin needs hydration!
It’s important to recognise that the scientific studies regarding acne are often made by correlations which means that just because two things correlate does not necessarily mean that one causes the other. There are so many variables within the body that could affect the skin’s health, often making it too difficult to draw definitive conclusions.
The way we see it - the factors we have touched on today all promote a healthier lifestyle and avoiding breakouts will be a bonus. Daily habits turn into life long results. When you build a healthy lifestyle you will take it with you everywhere and anywhere.