Skincare 101

A Food Guide to Healthy Skin

You can’t deny it. Your skin is like a window into your gut and unless you happen to be a genetically blessed individual who doesn't get a nice red zit after the bottomless mimosas at brunch or the extra slice of chocolate cake you had over the weekend --this article is for you. 

Let's take a deeper dive into skincare and look past the shelf full of products, that are more often just masking the problem than curing it, and start focusing on the root of it all by taking a look inside of our bodies.

The two major causes of acne are hormonal imbalance and inflammation in the body. These can be caused by an increase in blood sugar which causes the body to go through a series of chemical reactions that results in increased sebum production and, ultimately, acne.

And as all acne is some sort of inflammation or reaction to hormonal imbalance, we want to stay away from the foods that can cause these reactions and replace them with healthy, nutrient-rich ones instead!

Foods to avoid:

  • Sugar
  • Dairy *especially if you’re lactose-intolerant
    • Tip: Replace cow’s milk, which could be injected with growth hormones, with plant-based milks!
  • High-glycemic foods aka “bad carbs” that break down quickly and shoot up our blood sugar levels
    • Ex.) White bread, white rice, chips, sweets, soda, coffee, etc.
  • Any other foods you have sensitivities too!
    • Understanding your body is key.

What to look for:

  • Foods high in Vitamin A, like, carrots, broccoli and sweet potatoes!
    • Foods high in vitamin A are anti-inflammatory, help regulate sebum production, increase collagen production and normalize the skin’s cellular turnover rate.
    • People who suffer from acne have been found to have low levels of Vitamin A in their blood!
  • Healthy fats like omega 3-6-9 found in flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, salmon, etc.
    • These fatty acids make your skin more flexible and plump!
  • Antioxidant-rich foods, such as, berries, darky leafy greens and green tea.
    • These powerhouse foods make our skin fit to fight against free radicals that damage our skin
  • Fermented foods which are rich in probiotics, like, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, and miso soup.
    • Probiotics and fermented foods are great for gut health and help absorb the vitamins we ingest every day.

This is not for you to stress out over every single thing you eat, but simply to help make more conscious and intentional decisions on the fuel you are giving to your body. Getting that healthier gut and clearer skin are simply added benefits to a healthier and happier you :) 


Want to read about how eating healthy and understanding her body helped out our founder, Liah Yoo? Read more here.

Skincare 101

All the skincare basics covering routines, skin concerns, ingredients, and more.

Great Body Relief on body skin

Your Spring Skincare Survival Guide

Beyond Cleansing: 7 Unique Ways to Utilize Oil Cleansers

Beyond Cleansing: 7 Unique Ways to Utilize Oil Cleansers

10 Essential Winter Skin Tips

10 Essential Winter Skin Tips

5 Easy Skincare Habits to Keep Your Skin In-Check This Year

5 Easy Skincare Habits to Keep Your Skin In-Check This Year

Consumerism in the Beauty Industry (And How to Work Around  It)

Consumerism in the Beauty Industry (And How to Work Around It)

Skin Barrier 101

Skin Barrier 101

Your Uncomplicated Guide to Skincare

Your Uncomplicated Guide to Skincare

All About Antioxidants

All About Antioxidants

Supplementary Skincare for Your Skin Concern

Supplementary Skincare for Your Skin Concern

How to Choose a Cleanser

How to Choose a Cleanser

Ingredient Series: Oats

Ingredient Series: Oats

How to Choose a Moisturizer

How to Choose a Moisturizer

10 Skincare Myths Debunked

10 Skincare Myths Debunked

Five Rules to Control Your Oily Skin

Five Rules to Control Your Oily Skin

10 Skincare Mistakes That Make Your Acne Worse & Sensitize Your Skin

10 Skincare Mistakes That Make Your Acne Worse & Sensitize Your Skin

What's The Difference: Whiteheads, Milia, Fungal Acne?

What's The Difference: Whiteheads, Milia, Fungal Acne?

Acne Skincare Ingredients 101: All you need to know about best acne-fighting ingredients

Acne Skincare Ingredients 101: All you need to know about best acne-fighting ingredients

Does My Skin Get Used to Products?

Does My Skin Get Used to Products?

Should I Refrigerate My Skincare?

Should I Refrigerate My Skincare?

Ingredient Series: Rosehip Oil

Ingredient Series: Rosehip Oil

The REAL Talk On Silicones

The REAL Talk On Silicones

Image Source: http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Calophyllum_antillanum

Ingredient Series: Tamanu Oil

Ingredient Series: Ceramides

Ingredient Series: Ceramides

Ingredient Series: Get to Know Niacinamide

Ingredient Series: Get to Know Niacinamide

Ingredient Series: Natural Moisturizing Factors

Ingredient Series: Natural Moisturizing Factors

Ingredient Series: Retinoids to the Rescue

Ingredient Series: Retinoids to the Rescue

Image Source: https://overthemoon.com/beauty/prevent-post-workout-breakouts-skin/

New Year, New Me: Pre and Post Gym Skincare

Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/Br5v0fsh5-n/

Ingredient Series: Skin Brightening Ingredients to Target Hyperpigmentation & Sun Spots

Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrAclsKF691/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1jicj9np03q09

Ingredient Series: Vitamin C

Image source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BobwZsqgMAt/

Ingredient Series: The Chemical Exfoliators, AHA and BHA

Image Source: https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/why-humidify-and-which-type-of-humidifier-is-best

Ingredient Series: Hello Humectants!

Ingredient Series: Oils, why do we need them?

Ingredient Series: Oils, why do we need them?

Winter Series: What is Eczema?

Winter Series: What is Eczema?

Winter Series: Guide to Choosing Winter Skincare

Winter Series: Guide to Choosing Winter Skincare

image source: https://www.instagram.com/beawuty/

Change in Weather = Change in Skincare

Acne Series: PIH, PIE, and Acne Scars

Acne Series: PIH, PIE, and Acne Scars

Acne series: Skincare Routine for Acne-prone Skin, THE REAL GUIDE.

Acne series: Skincare Routine for Acne-prone Skin, THE REAL GUIDE.

Acne Series: Fungal Acne

Acne Series: Fungal Acne

Acne Series: Causes and Solutions

Acne Series: Causes and Solutions

Acne Series: Demystifying Acne

Acne Series: Demystifying Acne

A Love Letter to All Your Beautiful Faces

A Love Letter to All Your Beautiful Faces

Height of Summer: Post-Sun, Beach, & Travel Care

Height of Summer: Post-Sun, Beach, & Travel Care

Height of Summer: TEWL

Height of Summer: TEWL

How to Manage Summer Breakouts

How to Manage Summer Breakouts

Skin Myths: Fact or Fiction?

Skin Myths: Fact or Fiction?

The Relationship Guide: Skin + Body

The Relationship Guide: Skin + Body

Let's Ditch "Skin Types"

Let's Ditch "Skin Types"

A Food Guide to Healthy Skin

A Food Guide to Healthy Skin

Out of office: In-Flight Skincare Tips

Out of office: In-Flight Skincare Tips

Why Your Acne Products Aren't Working

Why Your Acne Products Aren't Working