I am one teen that has acne prone skin, and it hasn’t gotten better. No matter what face washes, or acne creams I use, they don’t seem to resolve the issue. I have found out that some causes of acne don’t originate from the exterior, but from the interior. You might be better off eating clean than spending eighty-dollars on a face mask.
 Some evidence that scientists have found suggests that food is a major factor in acne and skin complexion. Foods that help prevent acne breakouts include omega-3 fatty acids, non-dairy foods, and foods with fewer with a high glycemic index (how many carbohydrates are in your food, because they heighten blood glucose levels).Â
The reason that puberty is normally the beginning of acne is because your body produces more of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) . This relates to the reason why foods may affect your skin. Some foods have increased levels of IGF-1 which creates more sebum and worsen symptoms of acne.Â
Foods that have increased levels of IGF-1 are normally dairy foods and foods with a high glycemic load (GL) or a high glycemic index (GI). Processed foods tend to have higher GL’s and GI’s. Foods with a high glycemic index include: breads, sweetened cereals, oatmeal, some fruits and vegetables (melons, pineapple, pumpkins, and potatoes), enriched pastas, short grain white rice, snack foods (pretzels, rice cakes, and popcorn).Â
Foods that may improve acne include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These foods include: fish, pastured eggs, soy foods, spinach, kale, navy beans, grass-fed beef, nuts (such as almonds & walnuts), flaxseeds, mustard seeds, and wild rice. Foods also rich with antioxidants and dietary fibers.Â
With so many uncertainties surrounding the effects of the diet on acne, it can be hard to know which foods to try and which to avoid. Keeping a food diary can help a person to identify foods that trigger or worsen acne breakouts. Log every meal and snack, and record the type and severity of acne symptoms that develop each day. Â