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Skin issues?

RebekahR84
RebekahR84 Posts: 794 Member
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Has anyone experienced any skin problems after starting a ketogenic diet? I'm starting week 4 and it's going amazingly! I'm losing weight at a comfortable pace, and my energy levels are high. The only issue is that I'm breaking out all over! I've never had any sort of skin problems before this, and I haven't changed my skin-care routine. Could this just be a coincidence; like perhaps some sort of hormone shift just happened to occur as I started this program? Or has a ketogenic diet been known to cause this?

Replies

  • 86toronado
    86toronado Posts: 19
    I'd be interested in hearing other opinions on this, but I know my skin has been breaking out more than usual lately as well. My husband recently commented on it (something to the effect that I own alot of skincare products, but am still breaking out LOL)

    Of course, it has been super hot and humid where I live too...
  • Jennyflies
    Jennyflies Posts: 94 Member
    Ive noticed a few more break outs then normal but over all Ive noticed soften skin. Ive also noticed that I used to be the one in my family that caught EVERY cold, flu i came around and now Im the only one who Doesnt catch is...Keto is weird for my body lol
  • Juliane_
    Juliane_ Posts: 373 Member
    I'm not sure if I'm in a ketogenic state or not as I've not tested myself but I do feel my skin has gotten a LOT smoother. My logic is that my body must be getting "lubricated" with more oils. It makes sense if it means we are burning fat and that our cells now are getting the energy they need since there is no insulin to block cells from receiving their fuel. I don't notice a breakout but my skin tends to be dry so the extra oil might actually be beneficial on my skin. Maybe your skin is on the oily side and now with the change in diet is more "oilier", thus the breakout? I'm by no means an expert but I'm guessing. I think it'll be great to research more into this. It might also be temporary??
  • Overridden
    Overridden Posts: 19
    I'm in week 2 of ketosis,and oddly I think my skin is improving. I've never been one for make up or creams,probably not in 20 years or more.My skin has always had a red splotchy look,like I have just come in out of high winds(not a nice rosy blush) but it seems to be evening out.Not peaches and cream by any means but the coloring seems smoother if that makes sense.
  • RebekahR84
    RebekahR84 Posts: 794 Member
    Hmm. I think you guys are onto something with the fat = oil idea.
  • MermaidTX
    MermaidTX Posts: 352 Member
    "Keto rash", from what I've seen lurking on various LC forums, appears to be a fairly common occurrence. I found explanations for it

    "As fat breaks down, fat-soluble substances stored within might be released suddenly into the bloodstream, provoking the release of histamines if the dieter has a sensitivity to those substances. Histamine release is an allergic reaction that can result in skin swelling, such as hives -- raised, red, itchy areas of inflammation.

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/482095-atkins-and-rashes/#ixzz2aXuFKwMG

    YEAST DIE-OFF
    A skin rash that appears during Atkins also might indicate a yeast die-off. Chronic candidiasis, or yeast overgrowth, occurs when bacteria in the intestinal tract fail to keep Candida albicans in check. Some disagreement has simmered over the extent to which excess Candida albicans, also known as "yeast syndrome," can contribute to poor health and symptoms such as persistent infection, chronic fatigue and depression, but treatment usually includes changing one's diet to eliminate such yeast fuel as carbs, alcohol, yeast breads and sugar -- which closely resembles the Atkins induction regimen.

    "Use of any effective anti-yeast therapy alone will probably result in the Herxheimer ("die-off") reaction due to the rapid killing of the organism and subsequent absorption of large quantities of yeast toxins, cell particles and antigens," according to Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno, authors of "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine." Yeast die-off begins almost immediately upon beginning treatment, reports James LaValle and Stacy Lundin Yale, authors of "Cracking the Metabolic Code," and can produce symptoms such as "headache, body aches, skin rash and general flu-like discomfort."

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/482095-atkins-and-rashes/#ixzz2aXuOtB8G

    HTH!
  • RebekahR84
    RebekahR84 Posts: 794 Member
    Whoa.
  • lighteningjeanne855
    lighteningjeanne855 Posts: 566 Member
    www.paleoforwomen.com/hormonal-acne-where-its-coming-from-and-what-to-do-ab...

    I found this by doing this search on the Internet: "skin breakouts Paleo"
  • MermaidTX
    MermaidTX Posts: 352 Member
    I'm in week 2 of ketosis,and oddly I think my skin is improving. I've never been one for make up or creams,probably not in 20 years or more.My skin has always had a red splotchy look,like I have just come in out of high winds(not a nice rosy blush) but it seems to be evening out.Not peaches and cream by any means but the coloring seems smoother if that makes sense.

    Same thing here. About 3 weeks in, my family was commenting "your face looks so clear. It's not splotchy anymore."

    I still don't have a peaches n cream skin tone either but the red splotches are gone.

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