As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. POPSUGAR has affiliate and advertising partnerships so we get revenue from sharing this content and your purchase.
Say of them what you will but the Kardashian women know beauty. So when medicine nutritionist and advisor for Kourtney Kardashian’s brand Lemme, Leona Fox, shared a four-step routine she swears by for glowing skin, we were notebooks out, pencils ready.
“Many areas of our well-being can directly impact the skin’s vulnerability to acne,” Fox says.
If you suffer from blemishes and skin concerns and aren’t thrilled with the idea of taking medication for it, here, Fox shares exactly what you can do to help clear it up. Note, as always, it’s worth consulting a dermatologist or general doctor if the acne and its impact on your mental health is severe.
Incorporate Skin-Clarifying Foods
Fox suggests you start by incorporating more chlorophyll-rich foods into your diet. Load up on leafy greens like spinach, kale and collards.
“They help detoxify your body and act as an astringent for the skin, revealing a calmer, clearer complexion,” says Fox.
She suggests you also add antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and veggies. She adds that berries, bell peppers and sweet potatoes, in particular, are packed with antioxidants, which reduce inflammation, protect the skin against acne and help the body fight existing blemishes more effectively.
Finally, Fox suggests you drink at least two cups of spearmint tea, which she calls a “game changer” for hormonal acne like PCOS. Studies show that it can significantly reduce acne from the inside out, especially when it’s hormonal and insulin-driven.
“I have seen the results of this first-hand and then can be impressive,” she says.
Harness the Power of Red Light
Next is to harness the power of red light which can penetrate the skin to reduce inflammation, a major acne component. Red light stimulates collagen and elastin production, helping heal damaged skin and reduce acne scars.
“Sebum regulation is also a key benefit,” says Fox. “Some studies suggest red light therapy helps regulate sebum production, which is often overactive in those with acne.”
Fox recommends trying a red light therapy device from one of BON CHARGE‘s range. They are:
Bullet Red Light Therapy Device, $199
Demi Red Light Therapy Device, $899
Max Red Light Therapy Device, $1,495
Super Max Red Light Therapy Device, $2,495
Minimise Skin-Wrecking Foods
Back on the food and drink front, you also want to stay away from sweets, sugary drinks and baked goods as much as possible. Fox says they can cause insulin spikes, which promote acne development.
“Dairy products can increase sebum production, leading to clogged pores and acne,” she says. “Fried foods like French fries and chips can worsen inflammation and trigger acne. Alcohol disrupts hormone levels and dehydrates the skin, causing breakouts and inflammation.”
Fox also advises you to watch closely how your skin reacts to certain foods. For example, some people find that foods like soy, chocolate or tomatoes, exacerbate acne, while dairy has little impact. Others are greatly impacted by consuming dairy.
“Pay attention to what affects your unique skin health and experiment by minimising specific foods you suspect may be inflaming your acne for three months to evaluate the result. I call this being a ‘listenatarian’.
Embrace Clean Beauty
Finally, Fox suggests you switch to more clean skincare and beauty products, if possible. ‘Clean’ means they’re free of the many chemicals and irritants used in other products that can flare and exacerbate acne. Instead, they’re filled with ingredients that heal and protect our skin, making it more resilient to blemishes.
Look for products with essential oils like chamomile and lavender to sooth and calm the skin. Antioxidants like Pycnogenol and Astaxanthin protect against inflammation, redness, skin damage and scarring.
“Gentle exfoliants like glycolic acid and azelaic acid gently and effectively exfoliate the skin, un-clog pores and treat acne,” she says. “They work to clarify the skin, reduce breakouts and improve overall skin texture.”
