Clear, clean skin from within

Prone to blemishes and breakouts? Achieving a clearer complexion comes from the inside out , writes Kate Ferguson.

Pimples, spots and breakouts were once thought to be a feature of our teenage years that we could put behind us once we reached adulthood. But many of us still get breakouts - and usually at the most inopportune moments when we want to look our best !

So what triggers a sudden bout of spots? For women, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can be a key culprit.

Stress can also contribute to a breakout. When we’re stressed, our bodies respond by producing stress hormones. These can cause an overproduction of sebum (oil) which is also a risk factor for breakouts of pimples and acne.

Our diets can also be to blame for a bout of spots. Many of us think chocolate is the offending party, but it’s actually the consumption of a range of foods with a high glycemic index (GI) that may prompt a breakout. Eating a low GI diet can be beneficial to a clearer complexion.

Skin nutrients for clearer skin from within

Zinc is an important nutrient that helps to play a role in achieving a clearer complexion. An adequate usage of zinc is required to assist skin healing and lower levels of zinc on the body have been found in people with acne. Zinc also plays important role in healthy hormonal  balance.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) may help if you are getting breakouts in the lead up to your period as it helps to support healthy balance of hormones . Having an adequate intake of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)  is also important for the maintenance of overall skin health.

Antioxidants help to support skin health and are beneficial to a clearer complexion. A contributing factor to a less than healthy complexion is oxidative stress – more commonly referred to as free-radical damage.

Antioxidants to consider skin health , include:

Vitamin C: helps with skin healing and supports skin health.

Natural Vitamin E : supports overall skin health

Copper: Supporting healthy skin

Selenium: helps to support skin health as a component of antioxidant enzymes produced in the body.

Purifying skin herbs

Arctium lappa- burdock, is a herb traditionally used for its alterative action. Alterative herbs may help to support detoxification of the skin. Burdock is traditionally used to help promote clearer skin and may be of use to help support skin affected by acne.

Silybum marianum- milk thistle, is commonly used in traditional herbal medicine as it helps to support liver health and detoxification. Our liver is one of the main organs involved in detoxification.

Did you know ?

Up to 30 percent of women aged between 20-40 experience breakouts?