Even if you’re sleeping well enough and keeping your stress relatively in check, acne may still be popping up. And while it may be tempting to ignore it as a cosmetic issue, how we see ourselves affects how we treat ourselves, and when emotions may already be running high right now, it’s vital not to add more negative emotional fuel to the fire. Here, five foods that may be in your pantry (and on heavy rotation) right now—and how they might be contributing to your acne: Solution: Read your labels to check for added sugars, choose foods with a lower glycemic index, and look for grain-free packaged options and alternative pastas like chickpea or lentil. Solution: Check your labels and look for clean, avocado-oil-based mayonnaise and/or mix up your own DIY salad dressings with organic extra-virgin olive oil. Solution: Check your labels, and if you’re sensitive to dairy, while you may want to skip the whey, if you want to use a casein-based protein powder, look for one containing beta A2 casein. This is easier to digest and less prone to irritate your skin. Also consider using a protein powder from a nondairy source including pea protein, hemp, or brown rice. Solution: Life is meant to be enjoyed, so have your glass of wine or cocktail, but be mindful of how much and how often you’re indulging if your acne is flaring. Solution: Choose dark chocolate. Rich in iron, magnesium, and zinc, the cocoa in dark chocolate also contains health-boosting antioxidants called flavanols. Look for chocolate that contains 70% or greater cacao content to reap the antioxidant benefit.
