Top 5 myths on Diet and Acne

The food we eat can have more of an impact on the way we look, than just fitting into that "little black dress" or “skinny jeans”.

What we eat can have a massive impact on how fresh faced we look and therefore how confident we feel.

To make it easier for you I’ve debunked 5 common myths on the diet and acne connection. Once you know what foods can affect your skin, you can avoid them or eat in moderation, keeping that gorgeous, glowing look and confidence everywhere you go.

1. MYTH: Food doesn’t affect Acne.

Loads of scientific studies have been conducted but the verdict is still out on whether diet and acne are linked. However many of the chocolates, fried food and pizzas that are readily available to us are so highly processed we can't even tell what's in them. All these preservatives and additives can affect our hormonal systems, which are a major determiner on our skin health. While occasionally eating chocolate or pizza will not directly cause acne, an overall diet high in fatty foods can stimulate androgens (hormones) and cause on breakouts for some of us.

Suggestion: Everything in moderation. If you do really fancy something naughty try a "healthier" version. E.g. air fried fries or a homemade burger so you can control how and, what it's made with.

Bottom line, taking care of your body by eating a healthy, nutritious diet will result in better looking skin. But even a healthy diet and lifestyle may need the help of supplements from time to time. SkinB5 really helps my skin and even though I do eat really well and exercise regularly my skin benefits from a daily SkinB5 caplet to maintain its zit free appearance.

2. MYTH: Fatty foods = Acne and angry red complexion

We all know that not all fats are created equal. Salmon, nuts and seeds, olive oil and avocado are loaded with skin-beneficial oils and antioxidants like Vitamin E. However fast food and foods prepared in low-quality hydrogenated oils and saturated fats - not so clever.

Suggestion: Try plant-based oils in their fresh form and remember different oils have different smoke points (the point they start burning) so can be better used in salads etc. than for cooking. Coconut oil is a great oil to cook with due to its' high smoke point - just ditch the processed hydrogenated stuff.

3. MYTH: Dairy ALWAYS does our body the world of good

Milk and dairy contain calcium, protein and Vitamin D - Yay! But dairy may also play havoc with your skin – Boo!

Some skin care experts say that components in milk that are related to testosterone hormones can cause oil glands to go into overdrive, setting the stage for skin upset.

Suggestion: Try switching to non-dairy options such as almond milk, rice milk, and coconut milk. Have you tried coconut yoghurt CoYo; www.coyo.com.au is yummy and Sheep’s Yoghurt; www.meredithdairy.com

I'm not a cheese eater myself but I've been told goat and sheep’s cheeses can have less of an effect on the skin. You'll have to try them and let me know.

4. MYTH: If you have acne you should never eat chocolate

Why is chocolate always thrown under the bus? Well usually because we the majority of chocolate eaten is mass-produced and has lower cocoa and higher sugar and dairy content, which can raise Glycemic, index of that particular chocolate. Chocolate (or any food) with a high Glycemic index can increase blood cortisol and insulin levels, which can lead to increased sebum production and your dreaded blocked pores.

Dark chocolate with a cocoa content 70% or higher has a lower Glycemic index and so will not spike cortisol and insulin in the same way.

5. MYTH: Caffeine causes pimples

Some experts say Caffeine doesn’t directly cause acne, but if you have acne caffeine may aggravate it. Caffeine has its benefits too; coffee, black and green teas are loaded with anti oxidants, which can help skin damage from the sun for example.

Suggestion: Maybe cut your Caffeine consumption down; try a long black rather than latte or milky tea to avoid the dairy, which could be affecting your skin more than the caffeine. Green tea is also great to give you a much milder more stable energy rather than the "jitters" of coffee.

I always take my SkinB5 tablets www.skinb5.com which not only help keep the pimples at bay but B vitamins help with energy too so you don't need that extra coffee.

Venessa Nickless Yoga, Health Coaching & Pilates Practitioner in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Her adrenal exhaustion, terrible skin problems and digestion issues led her to taking steps to revitalise her health & energy by changing diet; which includes daily use of SkinB5 supplements and skin products to this day.

She changed her fitness regime; focusing on Yoga and Meditation to increase energy and changed career so that she could help people to achieve the clear skin and confidence that they deserve.