5 Foods That Could Be Breaking You Out

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Even with the most rigorous skincare routine, without feeding our body with the right nutrients and vitamins, it’s likely our skin will be more prone to breakouts and that our glow game will suffer. Plus, a lot of foods are actually proven to trigger inflammation, and some can send your oil glands into overdrive, both of which increase the likelihood of breakouts.

To help decode the good from the bad, we called in one of the world’s most highly respected nutritionists, Dr. Oz Garcia, who advises celebs like Naomi Campbell and Gwyneth Paltrow on what to eat and what to avoid. Here’s what Dr. Oz insists you should avoid if you have acne-prone skin…

1. Dairy

Dr. Oz confirms that “dairy is an inflammatory, which can trigger acne breakouts as it promotes redness and swelling.” The main culprit is the milk proteins in cow’s milk, which is proven to lead to breakouts. Instead, he advises substituting cow’s milk for vegan alternatives including almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk. Dr. Oz adds that dairy is “even more of an issue when someone is lactose or casein [a type of milk protein] intolerant as food sensitivities can also cause skin eruptions.” However, he does note that there are some exceptions like plain Greek yogurt or kefir as “these are rich in probiotics, which contain healthy bacteria that’ll help fight inflammation and promote better skin.”

2. Gluten 

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Another food group you may want to avoid in excess is gluten. Yup, we’re going there. If you’ve ever wondered what gluten actually is and why so many people are trying to avoid it, well, it’s a mixture of two proteins that are responsible for the elastic texture of dough. Dr. Oz notes that “gluten sensitivities are extremely prevalent and can contribute to inflammation and stomach imbalances, which trigger reactions that are visible in the skin.” Thankfully, there are tons of delicious alternatives, like gluten-free bread or pasta, so opt for these when you can.

3. Nightshade Vegetables

We’ve got to say, this one seriously surprised us. Nightshade vegetables – think tomatoes, pepper, and eggplant – should also be avoided if you want to minimize breakouts. Dr. Oz says that “while they all have important health properties, they can also be inflammatory.”

According to Dr. Oz, “There are alkaloids in nightshade vegetables, most notoriously solanine, which can cause inflammation and be irritating for the stomach.” He recommends eating skin-happy vegetables like leafy greens, cauliflower, beetroot, or broccoli, which are bursting with glow-getting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which work overtime to restore the balance of your skin.

4. Sugar

As much as we hate to admit it, Dr. Oz reminded us that “sugar is a major contributor to breakouts.” More specifically, he warns against “foods that contain refined sugar as these cause inflammation, yeast overgrowth, and hormonal fluctuations. All of which, can lead to unhealthy, unhappy skin.”

If you have a sweet tooth, trade-in processed sweets for dark chocolate. While we admit that dark chocolate tastes slightly bitter at first, it’s actually a rich source of beauty-enhancing antioxidants and minerals. Just make sure your dark chocolate is 75% or more, or find some delicious cacao recipes here.

5. Condiments, Dressings, and Marinades

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Dr. Oz also warns against condiments, dressings, and marinades. He explains that “So many people make the mistake of following a seemingly healthy diet, yet they don’t take into consideration what their food is soaking in. Condiments, dressings, and marinades can be full of wheat, soy, sugar, refined vegetable oils, and sneaky ingredients, you may have never considered.” His solution? “If you’re acne-prone, it’s much better to prepare or order your food simply grilled with a little extra virgin olive oil,” says Dr. Oz.

Let us know if there are other skin-related topics you’d like us to write about in the comments below!