Many people experience some level of acne at some point in their lives, but few people realize how complicated a condition it is. It is not something that can be switched on or off. We have many hormones and bodily chemicals that must be in balance and be produced in proper proportions in order to have clear skin. If those hormones and chemicals are out of balance, acne is the result. A very specific diet will be one of your primary tools in fighting acne.

• Cleansing the body and reducing inflammation is one key goal in eating to manage acne. These dietary habits are good for everyone trying to clear their systems of toxins, not just people who struggle with acne. This means consuming cleansing foods containing antioxidants as well as inflammation reducing foods, such as citrus, cinnamon, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, berries, spicy peppers, bell peppers and green tea.
• Aiding the metabolism of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and sugars is another primary diet goal in managing acne. This means eating to aid digestion, process nutrients and vitamins, and limit intake of things that are too high in these substances. Good substances to consume are plain yogurt, flax seeds, whole grains, nuts and legumes, fish oils, vitamin B and D supplements, calcium heavy foods such as kale and milk, avocados, olive oil, lean protein such as turkey and fish, and light carbs and sugars that do not include white flour or refined sugar.
• Eating for balanced hormones is a complicated matter. One can never guess at what their hormone levels are. One does not innately know which hormones they are deficient in and which they have an abundance of. Having said that, there are some herbs and substances, primarily plant based, that are known to have general hormone balancing qualities, such as green tea, saw palmetto, chasteberry, holy basil, white peony, spearmint tea, licorice root, nettle root and dandelion. In addition to these substances, it is wise to check your levels to know for sure, because you may be deficient in iodine, chromium and other bodily chemicals that affect your hormone production and metabolism.

There is far more inaccurate information available on acne than there is accurate. People with acne are long familiar with anyone and everyone offering them lotions and potions to help with their condition, most of which are total quackery. The most important thing that people should know about acne is that there is more than one root cause of it, the underlying causes are real medical conditions, not topical care problems and it may require a physician, a dermatologist and an endocrinologist to diagnose the problem. Your crazy aunt may think she knows best, but she is not the medical opinion to listen to.

One common cause of acne is hormone problems. Teenagers go through massive hormonal changes, which is why acne first flares up during the teen years. For most people, the natural aging process eases the hormone fluctuations and returns them to clear skin. But for others, a hormone imbalance continues to exist. Depending on which hormones are imbalanced and why, this condition can have several different names, but all of them are extremely complex to diagnose and treat.

A dysfunctional metabolism can also be a primary culprit in the skin condition acne. People with acne often have difficulty metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, proteins and sugars. Their bodies struggle to convert these substances into useful energy and they end up with chemical imbalances.

Simply having stress can cause breakouts. Western medicine is becoming more and more accepting of the fact that our mental health and our physical health affect one another. One way we have collectively acknowledged this is by studying the effects of stress on the body and learning that the body has a negative reaction to stress. For people who struggle with acne in any capacity, stress will aggravate their condition.

And lastly, other skin conditions play a part in acne as well. Conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and shingles can all interact with acne, aggravate it and increase its frequency.