Diet, exercise and acne!

Oh I feel your pain! I had regular ol' teenage acne growing up, but didn't really start getting the bad ones until after I had my daughter at age 30. Do your pimples/cysts show up mostly along your cheeks and jawline? If so, in women that's *usually* caused by hormone issues. I tried just about everything under the sun too, until I went to a Dermatologist (while I was in Iraq of all places!!!) and she prescribed me spironolactone. It's a very common medication used for high blood pressure of all things, but they realized it works on hormonal acne in women only. I'm going on my third year of it and couldn't be happier. It took a good 6 months but I went from painful cysts on my jawline and chin to maybe one small *normal* blemish a month right before my cycle. I know you wanted to stay natural, but this medication is very safe, cheap, and has been around for years and years. It also has the added benefit of being a mild diuretic, so i don't bloat much. May be worth looking in to!

Eating clean, or eating like crap, my skin would stay the same until I got on the right meds.

***Oh and for daily regimines, I love Mario Badescu skincare products!

Hope that helps a little.

I've had acne problems since puberty, and also have PCOS. I've found that since I started drinking a LOT of water, my skin is 10 times better. Steering clear of too many processed foods has helped too. I use Proactiv as well, it's a bit harsh for some people's skin, but since mine is SUPER oily, it works really well for me. I use the Proactiv wash in the morning and use the St. Ive's Apricot scrub (the really gritty kind) at night to wash off my makeup, sweat from working out, etc. Then the toner and repairing lotion from Proactiv after both. It's a chore keeping my skin clear, but all those things have really worked for me without being too harsh!

I have had major changes in my skin....I hardly ever break out on my face anymore (not sure if due to changes in diet/exercise or due to charcoal soap)......but now, I have horrible break outs on my back....seems like I just can't win

I also have struggled with acne and PCOS from 12-27. I am now 28 and still have slight acne but I find my skin clears up a TON when I steer clear of dairy and too many white carbs. Also I find LOTS of water (or green tea) and a vitamin C supplement help work wonders. I try to do all of these things and it really helps.

You always hear that diet has nothing to do with acne. I am wondering if anyone has experienced otherwise (for better or worse).

My story:

I'm 23 and have had moderately bad acne since I was about 13. Now that I am getting older I wonder if it will ever subside! I was diagnosed with PCOS 4 years ago, which is a likely contributed to my problems but for the most part my symptoms are under control.

Until now I've tried just about every topical remedy there is with no significant results. Finally, last year I cut out dairy from my diet and it seemed to work really well at first but acne slowly came back so I think I may have experienced a placebo effect. Personally, I don't want to resort to something harsh like accutane. I want to clear my skin up as naturally as possible.

I'm mainly wondering if anyone has seen significant improvement in their skin simply through diet and exercise. If so, I'd love to hear the details!! Or if anyone wants to vent about their failed attempts to cure acne I'd love to hear about that too.

How careful have you been with avoiding dairy? Are you reading labels and making sure not to have any whey or casein? Dairy hides everywhere. Eating out: beware; chicken, fish and beef are often marinated in butter.

Many supplements contain lactose as an inactive ingredient.

Dairy is a huge huge culprit for acne and it's easy to think you're avoiding it because you're not drinking milk.

If you are truly avoiding all milk proteins, then perhaps it is something else, and you might want to have it evaluated to make sure it is truly acne, and not rosacea.

edit: also . . . if you have let dairy back into your diet, it can be tricky -- usually the breakout happens a few days AFTER you consume the dairy, and, as you know, it can last for weeks. Every time you have "just a little" it's a cumulative effect.

good luck.

I've had acne problems since puberty, and also have PCOS. I've found that since I started drinking a LOT of water, my skin is 10 times better. Steering clear of too many processed foods has helped too. I use Proactiv as well, it's a bit harsh for some people's skin, but since mine is SUPER oily, it works really well for me. I use the Proactiv wash in the morning and use the St. Ive's Apricot scrub (the really gritty kind) at night to wash off my makeup, sweat from working out, etc. Then the toner and repairing lotion from Proactiv after both. It's a chore keeping my skin clear, but all those things have really worked for me without being too harsh!

I suggest water too. I've had breakouts pretty regularly since puberty, and it seems to healthier i eat, and the more water i drink the less breakouts i have.

I have never had an acne problem until after i have my second daughter, I didnt know what happen but my face just broke out, what help me heal the scar and clear it was drink lots and lots of water, eat fruits and veggies and the skin care product i use is organic aloe vera gel with organic extra virgin coconut oil on top of that at night. coconut oil and aloe vera does wonder to your skin, not only does it heal the scar and fade it but it also keeps the wrinkle away oh i dont use the coconut oil in the morning, i just put aloe vera, a suncreen and my makeup hope that helps!

I found out this monday I also have PCOS , Ive used almost everything under the sun for the acne it has caused ...before i even knew why I had it ...(most recent has been the pro active)
... I found that going back to the good ole basics worked for me
( clean with ivory soap, the wash with noxema, then wipe with stridex ..all this twice a day ..and sleep with a layer of noxema on at night...)
PLUS, i drink 10-12 8 oz glasses of water a day. It has helped SOME but I still get T>O>M breakouts...
Im hoping the hormone meds my Dr. put me on help with that
. Are any of the rest of you on the MEDROXYPROGEST pill for your PCOS??? if so has it helped??? have you had any side effects from it??

GOT ACNE?...GET Mario Badescu ACNE skincare products!
THEY ARE AMAZING!!!
PERFECT FOR TEENS AND ADULTS!!!

I have made a couple of changes and my acne has almost disappeared. (only the occasional monthly spot). I drink 100-120 oz of water normally, and i started making sure i wash my face morning and night with Olay for sensitive skin.