Acne affects more than a person’s complexion. For some people, the effects of acne can go to the extremes of impacting how confident a person feels or how they socialize. Although approximately 50 million Americans are affected by this common skin condition, those who have acne cannot help but feel alone in the long journey of treating acne. In fact, most people turn to the typical route of using topical acne medication and creams, which means that often times people forget that a simple change, such as watching what you eat, can make a huge difference. Changing eating habits is a way to enjoy clear healthy skin, and here are some ways to help you get started:

The Vitamin Diet

If you are someone who struggles with inflamed acne, then you know how stressful and difficult it is to get rid of it. However, by incorporating vitamin A and E in your diet with little fat, the nutrients found in them help restore your skin’s condition prior to the breakout. For example, vegetables, such as sweet potato and carrots, are high in vitamin A, which develops tissue that keeps the skin healthy and helps the skin heal from acne scars.

“Normally, after eating unhealthy food, I can feel my that my acne getting worse that day,” freshman Calvin Gil said.

Seafood and Non-seafood Options for Healthier Skin

Including more omega-3 fatty acids, found in walnuts, fish and flaxseed, in your diet can help prevent inflammation while keeping your existing acne under control. Although all fishes have omega-3 fatty acids in them, eating fish that has high levels of concentration of omegala, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, is best recommended; nuts are a similar non-seafood option because they contain zinc as well. Additionally, another seafood option that helps with acne is oysters, which are known for having zinc. Eating foods that have zinc will help control the release of hormones in your body while storing vitamin A, meaning that you should definitely incorporate more foods that have zinc in your diet since you have double the benefit. However, if for some reason your diet does not permit for seafood, green tea is another great option that is filled with antibiotics that help with environmental stressors, which are at times at fault for causing those pesky little pimples.

Fruits that Help Prevent Breakouts

When it comes to fruits, eating them as a part of your diet is integral. Although oranges and tomatoes do not help in preventing breakouts, they do strengthen your cell wall. The powerful antioxidants that oranges and tomatoes carry help protect your skin from scarring while decreasing inflammation by strengthening your skin’s defense against bacteria that can damage it. Incorporating an orange a day or tomatoes as a side dish will help defeat acne while leaving your skin feeling smooth and looking glowy!

“I am glad to hear that eating tomatoes help with treating acne because I am always breaking out because of stress and I love tomatoes,” senior Dayanna Ruiz said.

There is nothing wrong about having acne, so do not be ashamed if you do have any! Having acne is already exhausting enough, but do not let it define how attractive you find yourself to be. If you have tried topical acne medication and nothing seems to wrong, then try a new diet for a change!