It’s a question often asked by teenagers but for some people it can last well into their twenties and it’s just as common among boys as it is girls. So why is it happening and what can be done about it?
The three most common causes of skin breakouts and flare ups are:
HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS
DIET
GUT HEALTH
• HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS play a major role in skin health because they trigger your skin to produce too much oil (sebum) which along with dead skin cells that sit on the surface, clog the pores and lead to acne. It’s always a good idea to get your hormones checked by a practitioner to see if they require balancing. This can often be done with herbs and specific vitamins and minerals.
It’s important to have a good skin routine which focuses on daily cleansing too and good exfoliation weekly. Too much too hard and you could develop scars so make sure you use quality natural products without added toxins. Some products can dry the skin out too much, it’s all about balance and when done regularly your skin will respond with less blemishes and less breakouts.
• DIET is another big influence on your skin because ‘what you eat literally becomes you’. If you consume a diet high in real food like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, protein and good fats, you are feeding your body the nutrients it needs to function at it’s best with more energy, better mood, healthier periods and clearer skin.
When you consume a diet high in processed foods and fast foods, you are ingesting way more salt, sugar, preservatives, additives, synthetics, colourings, and flavourings that your body does not recognise as food. These ‘fake’ foods will overwhelm your vital organs and make them work overtime just to try and process and eliminate this garbage.
Water and hydration are also part of a healthy diet. Soft drinks, sports drinks and flavoured milks just don’t cut it, in fact they will put you in a nutrient deficit. If you want clear skin, you need to drink more water because it will flush out the muck on the inside and support healthy cellular turnover and collagen production. There is no substitute for pure water and its many benefits.
• GUT HEALTH pretty much drives everything. Your microbiome has a massive influence over your sense of wellbeing, mental health, energy, allergies, inflammation, weight management, hormones and of course your skin. What you eat feeds your microbiome and the more good stuff you put in, the more your microbiome will flourish. These little miracles literally poop out fatty acids that support good health.
If more people knew just how important gut health was, we would be taking more notice of the messages out gut was sending us. If you are living with IBS, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, belching, allergies, and any other digestive discomfort, then your gut is trying to tell you it needs some attention!
Gut health is also influenced by stress. We’ve all experienced a nervous tummy, or our gut tied up in knots. Stress releases hormones that affect our health, and our body’s physical response can be diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite, malabsorption, anxiety, and inflammation that can trigger skin rashes.
Managing stress is an important life skill we should all learn sooner than later. It can have such a knock-on effect on many areas of our health beginning with our gut and even to the point of ageing us prematurely, and no one wants to get old before their time.
WHERE TO BEGIN?
A good place to start is by visiting a health food store to see a Naturopath. They can help guide you to the best natural skin care products and specific nutrients like Biotin, Vitamin A and Zinc that help manage skin health. If you need more personal care, seek out the services of a practitioner that can offer some testing like Hormone Saliva or Hair Analysis. Both are ideal at identifying where deficiencies lie and how to restore balance.
Skin breakouts are recognised as a stepping stone to adulthood (albeit a bit annoying), but when the problem persists for years and interferes with your enjoyment of life, it’s a sign to seek help and get it sorted. Skin health is a reflection of what you eat, drink, ingest, absorb and eliminate and you have the absolute power to change and improve your skin health by the decisions you make every day.
Written by Mona Hecke
Mona Hecke is a degree qualified Naturopath, nutrition specialist and health and wellness writer.
With over 20 years in the health industry, beginning with a focus on children and families, and a bestselling book ‘The Lunchbox Revolution’, Mona is now empowering women through education and conversation to take action and embrace change. Gut health, mindfulness, nutrition, hormones, and menopause are the topics that women want and need to know to create their healthy future.
Mona holds certifications in Lifestyle Coaching, Kinesiology, holistic herbal medicine, and nutrition.
A recognised leader in the health industry, Mona’s strong social media presence and passion for influencing change will continue to be a catalyst for health reform for the benefit of every Australian.
