Recently, I read in my local newspaper that acne is the second most common skin condition treated at the National Skin Centre.
This reminded me of my own struggles with acne, which began in my teenage years and continued into adulthood. Even after I started working post-graduation, I was still battling acne.
At one point, I sought medical help and took antibiotics for my condition. However, once I stopped taking them, my acne would return—redder and more inflamed than before.
That was when I realized that there has to be a better solution than just relying on antibiotics.
My breakthrough came when I started learning about integrative medicine (inspired by Dr. Andrew Weil), reading The Clear Skin Diet book, and exploring the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
I discovered that some of my habits and dietary choices were actually fueling my acne!
Eventually, I overcame my adult acne by focusing on two key approaches:
Reducing my intake of foods that cause inflammation
Consuming foods with anti-inflammatory properties
Acne is essentially an inflammatory condition. It is the body’s way of signaling that certain foods or habits are triggering internal inflammation.
The most effective way to combat acne is to identify and avoid those triggers. Here are some key foods and habits to avoid:
Dairy products (e.g., cow’s milk, cheese, and dairy-based beverages): For me, excessive dairy consumption was a major trigger for my acne. I even traced one of the culprits to a popular national chocolate beverage (M***) that contained cow’s milk! If you’re struggling with acne, consider reevaluating your diet and eliminating or reducing your intake of dairy products.
Foods high in saturated fats: These include fast foods, processed snacks, and deep-fried items. For me, cutting out these foods made a noticeable difference in my skin.
Sleeping early: While not food-related, this habit is incredibly effective. Try to sleep before 11 p.m. to help your body reduce inflammation naturally.
It is important to note that everyone’s body reacts differently to different foods. Certain foods may trigger inflammation for some people, so it’s crucial to be mindful of what you eat on a daily basis.
In my experience, eliminating inflammatory food sources is 70% of the battle against acne. With a little effort and awareness, you can take significant steps toward clearer skin.
The following are some foods based on TCM that have strong anti-inflammatory properties:
- Honeysuckle Flower – Refer here for a simple tea recipe using honeysuckle flower to treat acne
- Green bean – Refer here for a simple way to boil green bean water to detox and reduce body inflammation
Hope this post helps someone out there!