11 Foods That Could Help Get Rid of Acne

Annoyingly adult acne seems to be on the up, with spots affecting many of us well past our teenage, temperamental hormonal years.

And it's not just the physical symptoms that are the problem; acne can have a huge impact on self­esteem, causing stress, anxiety, depression and can even affect personal relationships. Sufferers of acne might have spent hundreds of pounds on expensive skincare products, sought the help of a GP, tried medication or expensive supplements and paid numerous visits to dermatologists or facialists... and nothing seems to work.

So how about looking at your diet? According to nutritionist Becky Graham from the Treat app, what you're putting into your body might be the cause of what's displaying on the outside...

"Understanding what's happening can make it easier to unpick the problem", Becky says, so here's the science:

Each and every pore on your skin is actually a small opening called a follicle ­ made up of a hair and a sebaceous or oil gland. The job of these glands is to keep skin protected by providing a kind of waterproof protective layer by secreting oil or sebum.

With acne, glands have a tendency to become blocked with excess oil, dead skin or bacteria. These blockages make it difficult for the skin to shed normally and subsequent inflammation results in painful spots.

"The environment, getting enough sun, how much water we are drinking, digestion, hormones and stress as well as the liver's ability to do it's job as our major detoxification factory," our nutritionist explains, adding that "diet can help in all these departments."

So here are some anti-inflammatory foods that could help:

1. Fish

It's our number 1 source of omega 3 fats, which are­ a key anti­-inflammatory nutrient for the skin, brain, joints and heart. "The highest quality omega 3 are found in wild oily fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon or smaller fish like mackerel, herring & sardines," notes Becky.

2. Coconut Oil

We're told to cook with it all the time, but it could help your skin, too. "Coconut oil is a healthy type of saturated fat and a great stable oil to cook," the nutritionist explains, adding that "it's essential to include fats in the diet to help absorb fat­soluble the vitamins A, D, E and K." Sounds good to us...

3. Flax and chia seeds

Another favourite from the clean eating types like Deliciously Ella. According to Becky, these kind of seeds are full of fibre and omega 3 fats - so much so they're known as 'super seeds' - and you can add them to pretty much anything.

4. Nuts

Especially walnuts; they're your 'top nut' for omega 3 fats. "Brazil nuts contain selenium and zinc, two of the minerals most important for a healthy functioning immune system," says Becky.

5. Pre and probiotic foods

"Prebiotic foods like artichoke, onions, garlic and asparagus feed our beneficial bacteria while probiotics in yoghurt and kefir help to combat any unwelcome bacteria and promote a healthy immune system," our nutritionist Becky advises.

6. Berries

Great when paired with yoghurt, as above. "Berries are packed with 'phytonutrients', are low in sugar and high in vitamin C - an essential skin healing and immune system nutrient. Berries are also responsible for promoting collagen production, keeping skin plumped and healthy, so that's an added bonus.

7. Brightly coloured veg

Not only do these look great when you Instagram your dinner, but they're another great source of vitamin C and vitamin A. "The more richly pigmented better," says Becky, who advises us to "eat a rainbow of red peppers, aubergine, red cabbage, carrots, sweet potatoes, and dark green leafy veg.

8. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy and kale

Or the collective title of 'cruciferous veg'. "They all contain a compound called indole­3­carbinol that can help the liver to bind excess hormones and eliminate toxins," says Becky.

9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Or just olives on their own. These are key ingredients in the 'Mediterranean Diet', apparently, and a fantastic source of omega 9 fats, which have been associated with protecting the skin from sun damage.

10. Avocados

So they're not just fashionable, they actually do some good too! As well as being super tasty and incredibly versatile, avocados are also rich in omega 9 fats, vitamin C and vitamin A. Bingo.

11. Ginger

The spice has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for all sorts of ailments,from pain management to nausea and digestion to immune support, plus it's a great metabolism booster. As well as that, ginger is an antioxidant with anti-­inflammatory properties that will help sort your skin right out.

And here's what you should stay away from:

1. Refined carbs and sugary foods

"These promote the release of the hormone insulin, and consistently high levels can lower an important binding protein that promotes normal skin cell turnover and prevent pores from getting blocked," explains Becky.

She also adds that insulin can increase an inflammatory hormone called 'Insulin Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF­1)' which stimulates skin cell growth and will make the problem worse. Plus, IGF­1 causes high levels of the testosterone which encourages sebaceous glands to produce too much oil. Not good.

2. Gluten

But only if you have an intolerance, says Becky. "If you have an intolerance, allergy or sensitivity to wheat or gluten, it can add to the inflammatory picture and negatively affect your skin."

3. Vegetable and sunflower oils, margarine and high fat fast foods

Farewell burgers, crisps and biscuits (?). These tend to contain high levels of omega 6 fats which can encourage inflammation if you eat more of these than foods with naturally anti­-inflammatory omega 3 rich fats, like oily fish.

4. Red meat (if you eat it in abundance)

"This can increase inflammation if eaten too frequently, so stick to once or twice a week and try to ensure the meat is organic and grass fed to avoid hidden hormones and antibiotics", advises Becky.

5. Dairy

"This is a common allergen that has been linked to acne as well as psoriasis and eczema," says the nutritionist. Explaining why, she says: "It can cause an immune reaction and also contains the growth hormone IGF­1. As long as you don't have an intolerance, live organic dairy can be great ­ yoghurt or kefir are a good source of probiotic bacteria to help keep digestion healthy."

6. Alcohol

Not technically a food, but still. "You don't want an overworked liver if you're trying to improve your skin and alcohol puts an extra strain on this important detoxification organ. An occasional glass of red packed with antioxidants is fine.... but remember the occasional part and don't go mad."

7. Fruit juice

Fruit juices from concentrate can also be a huge problem, because they're very high in sugar.

8. Chargrilled meat and veg

Bad news if you like that smoky BBQ taste. "Chargrilling your meat and veg uses up a lot of our 'in­house' antioxidants to neutralise 'free radicals' and prevent cellular damage and inflammation," says Becky.

Download the Treat app for your own personal nutrition coach to help symptoms for anything from acne to IBS and psoriasis.

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