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How I Cleared My Skin By Healing My Gut and Changing My Lifestyle

A woman siting on the sand at the beach enjoying the sun wearing a white top and brown pants
a birds eye view of a blanket on the beach with a bowl of fruit and french toast in ceramic and wooden bowls

Ever since I hit puberty, I’ve been dealing with acne. I’ve tried various over-the-counter spot treatments and other products, as well as getting facials and consulting with a dermatologist who prescribed different medications and products.

In 2019, I decided to prioritize my health. I realized that at 25, I should be looking and feeling my best both inside and out. This led me to seek out a naturopathic doctor’s office in New York to find the root cause of my skin issues.

I’m sharing this in the hope that others struggling with their skin might find a solution more easily. Looking back at those years, I wish I had known then what I know now about my skin.

Your Skin is an organ.

Our skin, just like the rest of our body, can tell us when things are going right or wrong. If you are dealing with any skin issues, consider these questions:

 

          1. What am I putting into my body? (This includes food, drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, medication, etc.)
          2. What am I putting on my skin?
          3. Am I experiencing a lot of stress this week, or do I live a stressful lifestyle?
          4. Are my hormones in balance?

 

Some people are naturally blessed with “the good skin gene,” while others of us have to work a little harder to understand our skin. Throughout your journey, remember that no one’s skin is perfect, and we all have days when our skin is not at its best. The key is to learn to understand what your skin is telling you so that you can learn how to heal it from the inside out.

A woman of color with acne
A woman of color with clear skin wearing a hat

How I Cleared My Skin

Food Sensitivity test

A food sensitivity test is different from an allergy test. It is a quick finger-prick blood test, that checks your reaction to a variety of different foods. Sometimes our bodies won’t have an immediate reaction to the foods you eat but can still be inflamed, which is why you might get a pimple 3 days later as a result of something you ate or drank. Once you have caused your body to become inflamed from something you ate, the inflammation wants to be released from your body resulting in pimples and for me, cystic pimples.    

Food sensitivity tests are not cheap. They can go from $300 to $800, depending on how many foods you choose to test your reaction to. I personally got the most basic test and saw the money that I was spending on it as an investment. Think about all of the products that you have spent money on over the years, claiming to get rid of your acne, it was probably way more than the $300 you will spend on the test. 

Once I found out what foods are inflammatory for me, I cut them out of my diet for a month, to see how my skin reacted. Even if paying for the test is not feasible for you, try eliminating certain foods and noticing how your body feels and reacts after you eat and drink different things. 

Everyone’s body is different, which is why there is no one magical treatment or product that can work for everyone. I found out through this test that many of the “healthy foods” that I was eating like sweet potatoes, mushrooms, beets, walnuts, etc. were inflammatory for me so now I make sure to stay away from those things or eat them in moderation. 

 

Get A Blood Test

In addition to the food sensitivity test, consider getting your blood work done to check for deficiencies. Additionally, have your hormone levels tested to determine if they are out of balance.

 

Incorporate Probiotics Into Your Diet

You can incorporate probiotics through:

– Pills (consult your doctor to find the most suitable option for you)

– Organic Sauerkraut

– Kimchi

– Fermented foods

Including probiotics in your diet can help create healthy gut flora and strengthen your gut.

 

Try To Avoid

– Alcohol

– Gluten

– Dairy

– Refined Sugar

– Packaged Foods

I’m not suggesting you never have these items again, but observe how your skin reacts without them and consider consuming them occasionally rather than daily. This approach allows your gut time to repair itself instead of continually exposing it to inflammatory factors.

 

Consume Healthy Fats

– Fish Oil/Omega-3 Vegan Oil

– Ground Flax Seed (Opt for whole flax seeds and grind them yourself for maximum nutrients)

– Hemp Seeds

– Avocados & Avocado Oil

 

Cleanse Your Liver

Incorporate liver-cleansing foods such as those from the Brassicaceae family, including cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Consult your doctor regarding liver-cleansing herbs. I personally take N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE, but it’s best to seek professional advice on what might work for you.

 

Reduce Stress

Stress can lead to various imbalances in the body and elevate hormone levels. Consider incorporating meditation or breathing techniques into your daily routine to better manage life’s challenges.

 

Maintain Healthy Skin

Be mindful of what you put on your skin. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and absorbs everything. This makes it imperative that you educate yourself about the ingredients in your skincare products.

Knowledge is power. Many products are filled with harsh things you know nothing about, so if you are unsure of it, do your research.

 

Clean Your Pillowcase

Change your pillowcase every 2-3 days to prevent the accumulation of germs and bacteria that can transfer to your skin while you sleep.

 

Consistency is Key

Consistency is key when it comes to skincare. Give any new skincare routine or product at least 1-3 months before evaluating its effectiveness on your skin.

Don’t give up on your journey to clear skin. Remember that true beauty comes from feeling healthy and happy, and we’re all in this together. Share your experiences and let us know what works for you!

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