Suffering from acne is not only an aesthetic issue but can be very painful, too. That’s what happened to those twins who had never suffered from acne until they became twenty years old. Very interesting, once they started to eat more fatty foods, like nuts, oils, avocados, and processed soy products as they grew older they began to experience more and more breakouts of acne. Apart from the pain, it was also a critical issue to them since they were actors and musicians. However, changing to a full low-fat diet made the decisive difference.
“We are identical twins, and were lucky to escape our teenage years mostly free from acne. We never realized how lucky we were until last year. In 2014, all hell broke loose on our faces. We were 20 years old, and all of sudden we found ourselves battling severe cystic acne. It was the worst red and swollen acne you can imagine. Cystic acne is the kind that’s deep, severe, and very painful. It’s not just a few pimples here and there.
The acne really took a toll on us as entertainers (we’re musicians and actors). We were depressed and didn’t want to go out or step in front of a camera. It was a total confidence-killer. It was also horribly painful and uncomfortable and itchy. We didn’t even want to take photos when it was at its worst, so the photos you see here are actually from when our acne started getting better.
We tried everything, including top dermatologists, antibiotics, special facials, blue light therapy, and prescription skincare products. The doctors we saw all eventually recommended the powerful acne medication Accutane, since the acne wasn’t responding to any other treatment. We had friends who had taken Accutane, so we knew about its reputation for bad side effects and wanted to avoid using it if possible. We were raised vegan, ate healthy, and already didn’t eat dairy (which is often linked to acne), so we mostly didn’t think our diet could be causing our breakouts.
We were at a loss for what to do until our father suggested that we look at research by Dr. John McDougall. Years ago, our mother had been cured of an autoimmune disease after following Dr. McDougall’s advice, so we already trusted him and knew he was capable of doing the impossible. We immediately read this article and took notice of a few of his points, including this:
“Multiple studies of people living on their traditional native diets—almost all of which are low-fat diets … have found these people have little or no acne.”
He went on to say that “it does not take much fat on the skin to plug the pores, feed the bacteria, and cause acne in susceptible people.”
We were raised vegan and try to eat healthy, but we did eat some fatty foods, like nuts, oils, avocados, and processed (higher fat) soy products. As soon as we read this article and other research by Dr. McDougall, we realized that our acne first started to flare up when our parents were traveling. During that time, we were eating a lot of peanut butter on toast. Shortly afterward, we left for Europe, where our bad acne only got worse. Because we were traveling, we were eating a lot more restaurant food prepared with oil, soy products, soy milk, and processed foods like Clif Bars.”
Read the full article at forksoverknifes.com!
If you want to learn more about the relationship between food and acne,
visit the Natural Acne Clinic!
Rena Landon
This was me!! It worked. Went plant based and my skin cleared up. I’ve been fighting acne for years. Im 28 this year and my skin is finally clear. My scars are fading slowly.
Best thing i ever did.
Brianna Greeley Madison Greeley
What kind of food plan are you on. Can you list a daily menu for us?
Thx
I had acne my entire life, since going vegan my skin in 2011 my skin has been the best it has ever been with no breakouts. Not one dermatologist EVER suggest I change my diet!!!!!!!!!!!! All they did was prescribe more and more drugs. I am sad that no one ever suggested a change, but happy that I finally know now.
Alex Goddard, I know you dont like when I suggest this, but Imma leave this right here
Angeline Felis
My acne is completely hormonal. I am vegetarian, but eat very little dairy because it does not agree with my tummy. I literally tried everything for years to get my acne to subside, but getting on birth control was the only thing that worked.
What is the “one” simple diet change?
Eva Maynard Tania Rauth
Pinja Julia Huju
Mine is probably hormonal as I had perfect skin until I was 22, and then out of the blue, I started breaking out. Nothing had changed in my life, and now I’m still breaking out two years later :/
They began eating less fat.
Try eliminating soy. It’s everywhere and masked under different names and in tons of lotions and beauty products. But if you cut it out of your diet you might see improvement. My acne got even worse as an adult. I did an elimination diet and found dairy and soy to be my triggers.
i had this but worse
Stephanie Murphree Heather Marie crazy
Mine was horrid for years! I became a vegetarian and it actually got worse. Went vegan and cut out soy it got 50-60% better. Then I completely cut out gluten because I found out I had celiac, and I eat no processed foods or very little and I juice 10-15ounces of organic carrot juice daily and eat a lemon (squeezed) daily and use coconut oil or castor oil as moisturizers for my face and I will tell you it’s basically gone and it’s only been a few weeks! Carrot juice is legit. Try it!! I hope it works for you guys xo
Interesting… I do love eating edamame. I may go a week or so without soy to see if that’s what is causing it. I’d be so sad if that was the case though because I always eat tofu when I go out to eat and I love yogurt and the best vegan substitute I’ve found is soy :/
When I stopped dairy, my painful stopped within the week!
Look into soy and estrogen, I have cut it out completely and I really loved edamame beans! Soya is full of GMOs etc now not healthy as it used to be. Also look into Agnus castus which naturally balances hormones.
This happened to me too. After I went Vegan almost all my acne went away.
Nina and Randa Nelson on Youtube !:)
these girls have been vegan their whole life; they didnt go vegan to get rid of acne…
Sugar and caffeine really, really break me out. Finally learned it in late thirties.
Xixi Farmanfarmai this is why I don’t like oily foods. It’s not really necessary in our diet. I’ll still eat whole foods that have natural fats but don’t cook with it
But it tastes soooo good! Everything in moderation? What is life without a little enjoyment
Mary Mottai Maiorino is this what you were talking about??
Angel Garcia