This article has been a long time coming, and it is hard for me to post pictures and write about my journey with acne. I started getting lots of pimples when I was eleven years old, and tried everything to get rid of it.
Finally, after years of struggling with facial and body acne, I feel like I am ready to share what I have learned to stop zits and breakouts. I’m by no means an acne expert, I share only what has worked for me.
Acne photos – before and after high raw diet
Hormonal Acne, Pimples, and Sugar
I started having lots of acne and breakouts when I was 11 years old. At that point in my life candy was a staple in my diet, and so were processed sugary foods like cakes and cookies. I also drank soft drinks left and right.
Oh, and I should mention that my favorite restaurant growing up was McDonald’s. For the toys.
Since I started breaking out at a young age (no one else had acne yet) my parents and I tried all kinds of things. I went to the dermatologist, the esthetician, and bought every type of cream and “system”.
I kept hearing “rumors” that acne was caused by chocolate, or soda, or sugar. When I asked my dermatologist, the answer was a flabbergasted – of course not! Diet has nothing to do with breakouts, it’s all hormones. (Now I know that the body is a sum of the whole, and that nothing is ever isolated!)
Nothing really put a dent into the acne, no matter how much on the spot acne treatment stuff I applied. The years went by and I continued to eat peanut butter sandwiches, lots of sugary snacks, junk food, and soda.
Acne and Birth Control Pills
Finally in an act of desperation when I was 16 I went on the birth control pill, as recommended by my dermatologist.
I saw a slight improvement in my skin, even though the acne never completely went away. Unfortunately the birth control pill would go on to affect a lot of other things in my body.
I gained about 20 pounds in one summer when I started on the pill. This exacerbated an already messed up relationship with food and emotions.
It also put my hormones out of whack. In fact when I decided to stop taking the birth control pill 5 years later, I had a hard time getting my period back.
Oh, and when I stopped taking the birth control pill my acne remained at the same level. So really, I think the pill did more harm than good… especially when you take into account the side effects and how it threw off the balance of good bacteria and yeast in my body.
Homemade Acne Treatments
So what do I think is the best homemade acne treatment? A change of diet, quite truthfully. I’ve tried all the creams, all the homemade masks, and the closest I’ve come to clear skin is by eating right.
So what do I consider to be “eating right”? Eating lots of high water content fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing or even eliminating sugar, wheat, and dairy.
Here’s a little bit of what might be going on underneath your skin, and why what you eat really influences acne and breakouts:
- You get breakouts and pimples when oil glands get infected with bacteria, causing an inflammation response and filling up with white blood cells and pus.
- Eating foods that boost your immune system will help your body fight the bacteria, thus reducing the inflammation. Immune system boosting foods include those high in Vitamin C like oranges, kiwis, and broccoli.
- Sugar causes spikes in energy and blood sugar, and generally leads to a compromised immune system, low energy, and a cycle of eating more sugar.
- Sugar also feeds the yeast, causing an imbalance of good bacteria in the body. Without the good bacteria to protect you, you are more vulnerable to breakouts.
- Stress has an impact on the immune system, essentially shutting down our digestion and other auxiliary “services” to undertake the fight or flight response. That’s why you get more breakouts when you’re stressed.
- Toxins and other unwanted substances can get lodged in the body, either through the foods we eat, the air we breathe, or the products we put on our skin. If you observe breakouts after using certain products, discontinue their use.
- Allergies and food sensitivities cause your body to go into an immune response, leading to constant inflammation, and reducing your body’s immune response sensitivity over time.
- Water is essential for flushing out the toxins, hydrating the body and the skin. Make sure you’re drinking enough water every day.
Acne Tips
Here are some other acne tips I’ve learned along the way.
- Check out Acne.org for videos on how to wash your face to reduce inflammation.
- Picking pimples is not recommended, it causes scarring, and just encourages more pimples in the same spot.
- Be gentle on yourself – a lot of this is about mindset, and change is never an overnight transformation.
Finally, I need to say that I’m not totally blemish free. I still get some acne and pimples, but it’s much more manageable.
In fact, I usually know exactly why I am getting breakouts. Lack of sleep, too much stress, not eating right, a certain type of make up or lotion, that time of the month, etc.
Got Any More Acne Treatments or Tips?
I’d love to hear your acne story. If you found a natural way to reduce or stop your acne, let us know in the comments!
We’re all in this together and the more we share, the better for future visitors who are in need of advice.
{ 24 comments }
For me it's about a crazy combo of things – being really selective about what products I use. Even some lotions that are allegedly for sensitive skin make me break out, so I had to try a bunch where now I use Origins face wash and Vaseline frag-free lotion – and I also switched to a mineral makeup. Drinking water. Taking a multivitamin. Watch how much poison (alcohol, smoking while drinking) I put in my body when I'm traveling. Stress. Sleep.
And yes, I started breaking out when I was 12. Tried everything from the dermo, tried all the TV solutions, pills, everything. And the only thing that has worked has been the basics – what I put on my skin & what I put in my body. :)
For me it's about a crazy combo of things – being really selective about what products I use. Even some lotions that are allegedly for sensitive skin make me break out, so I had to try a bunch where now I use Origins face wash and Vaseline frag-free lotion – and I also switched to a mineral makeup. Drinking water. Taking a multivitamin. Watch how much poison (alcohol, smoking while drinking) I put in my body when I'm traveling. Stress. Sleep.
And yes, I started breaking out when I was 12. Tried everything from the dermo, tried all the TV solutions, pills, everything. And the only thing that has worked has been the basics – what I put on my skin & what I put in my body. :)
Thanks for the great blog, Nathalie! Eating raw and living foods has been the biggest contributor to the recent improvements in my skin. I went off the birth control pill about 4 years ago and at first all was okay, but slowly things started “popping” up. It became SOOOO bad. I saw almost no improvements until I started eating almost 100% raw foods (2 months and counting!). People around me keep commenting on how much better my skin is looking. Thanks for all your tips and advice! Lisa
Thanks for the great blog, Nathalie! Eating raw and living foods has been the biggest contributor to the recent improvements in my skin. I went off the birth control pill about 4 years ago and at first all was okay, but slowly things started “popping” up. It became SOOOO bad. I saw almost no improvements until I started eating almost 100% raw foods (2 months and counting!). People around me keep commenting on how much better my skin is looking. Thanks for all your tips and advice! Lisa
I tried all the TV solutions too! And I had friends who went on the “severe drugs” that just dried their skin out like crazy. You're so right – sometimes coming back to the basics is what works best… what you put on your skin and in your body. I love it! :)
I tried all the TV solutions too! And I had friends who went on the “severe drugs” that just dried their skin out like crazy. You're so right – sometimes coming back to the basics is what works best… what you put on your skin and in your body. I love it! :)
Hi Lisa! I'm so glad this was useful. Sometimes it just takes time to clear through things all the way. I think you're doing awesome and I'm sure over time as your body clears through things and your immune system gets stronger you'll have the skin of a model. ;)
Hi Lisa! I'm so glad this was useful. Sometimes it just takes time to clear through things all the way. I think you're doing awesome and I'm sure over time as your body clears through things and your immune system gets stronger you'll have the skin of a model. ;)
I happen to have the opposite problem. You'd think sugar would make everyone break out, but no.
My dry skin just gets even drier! This post is so inspiring. What if I did a raw foods experiment for a month and took a before/after photo, just for me? (I don't have your guts!) It would be interesting to see other changes, too. Need easy recipes. This is the time to take action! My live-in chef is away for 2 weeks!
About the pill: I wish more women knew that the Today sponge is back on the market. Our generation never really got the sponge because of a manufacturing issue that made it unavailable for several years. It briefly reappeared, then disappeared when the acquiring company went under, and it's back now for good, sold to a condom manufacturer in Berkeley. It's too bad they don't have a pharma company ad budget, or more people would know about it, and maybe fewer doctors would be automatically shoehorning women into messing with their hormones.
I happen to have the opposite problem. You'd think sugar would make everyone break out, but no.
My dry skin just gets even drier! This post is so inspiring. What if I did a raw foods experiment for a month and took a before/after photo, just for me? (I don't have your guts!) It would be interesting to see other changes, too. Need easy recipes. This is the time to take action! My live-in chef is away for 2 weeks!
About the pill: I wish more women knew that the Today sponge is back on the market. Our generation never really got the sponge because of a manufacturing issue that made it unavailable for several years. It briefly reappeared, then disappeared when the acquiring company went under, and it's back now for good, sold to a condom manufacturer in Berkeley. It's too bad they don't have a pharma company ad budget, or more people would know about it, and maybe fewer doctors would be automatically shoehorning women into messing with their hormones.
Thanks for sharing your experience with acne Nathalie!
Although I am very sympathic to raw food lifestyle I feel like I should draw the attention on the fact that 100% raw food may not solve everyone's acne problem and might even worsen it for some people. As you said, it worked for you, but it doesn't for everyone.
I went almost 100% raw for about 8 months and for the last 4-5 months I got a considerable increased of acne. When I was a teeneager, I used to have a great skin, so acne never was a problem for me.
After consulting an acupuncturist acquainted to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), I reduced my raw food intake to 50% and included more cooked vegetables, legumes and even some fish, eggs and tofus. My skin improved a lot from that. It is still not perfect, but I think that 100% raw food is not appropriate for me, in particular in the Fall and Winter.
That being said, eating healthy nutritious food is key and having a certain amount of raw food can only be benefitial to anyone.
Thanks for sharing your experience with acne Nathalie!
Although I am very sympathic to raw food lifestyle I feel like I should draw the attention on the fact that 100% raw food may not solve everyone's acne problem and might even worsen it for some people. As you said, it worked for you, but it doesn't for everyone.
I went almost 100% raw for about 8 months and for the last 4-5 months I got a considerable increased of acne. When I was a teeneager, I used to have a great skin, so acne never was a problem for me.
After consulting an acupuncturist acquainted to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), I reduced my raw food intake to 50% and included more cooked vegetables, legumes and even some fish, eggs and tofus. My skin improved a lot from that. It is still not perfect, but I think that 100% raw food is not appropriate for me, in particular in the Fall and Winter.
That being said, eating healthy nutritious food is key and having a certain amount of raw food can only be benefitial to anyone.
Dawnmarie's post from last week is what finally made me decide to try and elimination diet. I started on Monday and am going wheat-free and dairy-free. When she mentioned getting off gluten made her acne go away for good, I started to look at my intake of wheat and realized I was eating WAY too much. I've had acne since I was 17 and I'm going to be 27 this year. I just want to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and see smooth, beautiful skin. So I'm reducing (in a major way) the wheat and dairy I eat. I also bought an acne system I used in college because it worked well for me then (it didn't really sustain it, but with my change in diet I figure the acne's gonna go away anyhow, so I might as well clear up what's on my face right now). I appreciate sharing your story. People without acne just do not understand what we go through on a daily basis.
Dawnmarie's post from last week is what finally made me decide to try and elimination diet. I started on Monday and am going wheat-free and dairy-free. When she mentioned getting off gluten made her acne go away for good, I started to look at my intake of wheat and realized I was eating WAY too much. I've had acne since I was 17 and I'm going to be 27 this year. I just want to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and see smooth, beautiful skin. So I'm reducing (in a major way) the wheat and dairy I eat. I also bought an acne system I used in college because it worked well for me then (it didn't really sustain it, but with my change in diet I figure the acne's gonna go away anyhow, so I might as well clear up what's on my face right now). I appreciate sharing your story. People without acne just do not understand what we go through on a daily basis.
Hi Jennifer!
I hear you on the acne thing! I am so glad these past few articles have been inspiring. Ten years of acne is no fun, and I know it. ;) It's amazing to be able to talk about this openly here, and woohoo for cutting out some of that wheat! Rock on my dear!
Hi Jennifer!
I hear you on the acne thing! I am so glad these past few articles have been inspiring. Ten years of acne is no fun, and I know it. ;) It's amazing to be able to talk about this openly here, and woohoo for cutting out some of that wheat! Rock on my dear!
Check out some of the recipes here! And spice up some salads too. :) Experiment with green smoothies, those are awesome. And yes taking before / after photos is a brave and sometimes fun thing to do hehe.
Ooh see, I don't even know about the sponge. Thanks for sharing that, I know the other people who read this will also get a lot from that information. Totally need to get the word out on these things, since like you mentioned they don't have a big pharma budget.
Check out some of the recipes here! And spice up some salads too. :) Experiment with green smoothies, those are awesome. And yes taking before / after photos is a brave and sometimes fun thing to do hehe.
Ooh see, I don't even know about the sponge. Thanks for sharing that, I know the other people who read this will also get a lot from that information. Totally need to get the word out on these things, since like you mentioned they don't have a big pharma budget.
Hey Nathalie!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I really don't think 100% raw is what did it, honestly. I think it's cutting out the sugar, the wheat, and all that processed stuff I was eating before. As you know I'm a HUGE fan of TCM, I've actually just gotten some TCM books to dive into more deeply – so if your body is saying “give me some cooked veggies/whatever” then go for it! I'm a huge believer in balance, and most raw food diets are not so balanced really. (Too much fruit sugar.)
It's so awesome that your 50% raw/cooked diet is helping with your skin. Let us know how it's going… I really care about you and what you're experiencing. *hugs*
Hey Nathalie!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I really don't think 100% raw is what did it, honestly. I think it's cutting out the sugar, the wheat, and all that processed stuff I was eating before. As you know I'm a HUGE fan of TCM, I've actually just gotten some TCM books to dive into more deeply – so if your body is saying “give me some cooked veggies/whatever” then go for it! I'm a huge believer in balance, and most raw food diets are not so balanced really. (Too much fruit sugar.)
It's so awesome that your 50% raw/cooked diet is helping with your skin. Let us know how it's going… I really care about you and what you're experiencing. *hugs*
I've also dealt with acne since I was 11. One thing I learned, finally, is that I was over-washing my face. I was washing it every morning and every night–a common reaction because acne gives the general impression of “dirtiness.”
I started washing my face only once, at night, with a warm washcloth. If I didn't wear makeup that day, I don't even use soap. My skin noticeably improved.
I've also dealt with acne since I was 11. One thing I learned, finally, is that I was over-washing my face. I was washing it every morning and every night–a common reaction because acne gives the general impression of “dirtiness.”
I started washing my face only once, at night, with a warm washcloth. If I didn't wear makeup that day, I don't even use soap. My skin noticeably improved.
Just came and read, this is wow! I was seek from many blogs, but here is the best, I love it.
That's great Vallerie! Thanks for sharing that tip with us. :)
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