Who’s ready for some good food?
It’s harvest season and many of us are preparing the traditional dishes that bring everyone to the table. I hope you enjoy it all, really I do. But don’t be surprised if there are a few acne breakouts waiting for you on Black Friday morning.
That’s because most Thanksgiving dinners are full of acne triggers.
I know you probably don’t want to hear that so close to turkey day. If it makes you feel better, I will be sampling a few acne triggers myself. As your favorite esthetician and your personal skin friend, I have to warn you about what you could be getting yourself into, and advice to minimize your troubles.
Don’t skip your skincare routine before or after the holiday
OK, so no matter what you read in the rest of this blog, commit to this advice. Breakouts can live under the skin for up to 30 days before appearing on your face, so your skincare routine is your best defense as well as offense. The most sure way to protect yourself from post-holiday breakouts is to stay consistent with your routine well in advance and after to give your body time to respond to the hormonal changes the food you eat may cause.
Limit your dairy intake.
Mac and cheese? Pretty much any casserole? If it has milk or cheese in it, it could be an acne trigger for you. Cow’s milk contains hormones that cause inflammation in the human body, which causes puffiness and clogged pores in the skin. If you feel adventurous, try swapping for dairy-free products instead. Goat cheese is OK!
Chase each alcoholic drink with water
Alcohol is not your friend when it comes to clear skin! Most are made mostly of sugar, which sends a signal in the body to produce more oil. Excess oil clogs the pores, which leads to acne breakouts. It can be hard to turn down drinks amongst family and friends, so enjoy yourself, but be intentional about having a glass of water between drinks to slow down your consumption and stay hydrated.
Watch out for sugary foods
Sugar in all forms can trigger breakouts, including those cakes, pies, cobblers, and inside dishes like candied yams. You could swap traditional desserts for fresh fruit, which is much lighter on your stomach anyway.
All of these triggers are risky for your skin individually, so combining them really compounds the chance of your skin breaking out. I’m not saying don’t enjoy the holiday, but do become strategic about what you eat to minimize flare ups.