Can Changing Your Diet Help Cure Your Acne?
Start writing a post
Food Drink

If You Want To Get Rid Of Your Acne, It Won't Hurt To Change Your Diet

Not to be dramatic, but if I never had a drop of caffeine again in my life, and my skin remained this clear, I think I'd be okay with that.

182
Cups of coffee on a table

There has always been plenty of debate on whether or not coffee is good for you, and different studies will tell you different things. While I feel so much healthier since I stopped drinking coffee, the main reason and thing that has kept me away from caffeine these past six months is an unexpected reason: my skin.

Our middle school and early high school years are an awkward stage for us all, but luckily puberty didn't hit me that badly. I always loved my skin and myself. I would watch my friends struggle over their bodies and complexion. They would cycle through diets, dermatologist skincare recommendations, and medications. While I did have my share of self-conscious moments, I wouldn't say this was ever too much of an issue for me.

Throughout high school, I struggled with a minor monthly breakout here and there. I would be a little bothered by this, but it was nothing a tiny bit of concealer couldn't fix, and it was the type of imperfection I noticed more than anyone else. This all changed senior year.

I started to break out on my forehead and chin more than ever, and at first, I was in denial about it. Eventually, I realized that it was getting worse and although it wasn't that bad, I was still bothered by it. I'd look back at pictures from the year before and feel like I "glowed down" instead of up. I used to cover my face with concealer and using Snapchat filters was a must, but just the texture of my skin made me self conscious and feel worse about myself than I should've.

Towards the end of senior year, I thought maybe it would get better, and that it could be a seasonal thing. In the past, my skin would always be extra radiant and clear in the summer. But when the weather got warmer and I didn't see a change, I told my mom I wanted to see a dermatologist. She told me to try over the counter acne products before I get something prescribed as if I had not been carefully attempting to care for my skin for the past year. But I did a lot more reading, and everything suggested cutting various things out of your diet.

Most people said the culprit for them was milk, but as all my friends know (and make fun of me for) I've always drank a lot of milk, and with any and every meal. Others said to drink a lot of water, something I had started consciously doing recently, so I knew there had to be something more. And then one day I realized that the only thing significant in my diet that changed around the time that my skin changed was that I became an avid coffee drinker.

I was full on addicted to caffeine, and deciding to stop drinking coffee was such a hard decision but loving my skin was more important to me than my love and need for coffee, so I made up my mind that I would stop that summer. Waking up for the gym and work and having energy was really difficult at first as you can imagine, and as someone that enjoys her caffeine in any form from lattes to cappuccinos to straight black, I was often craving my coffee. The start of college proved to be even more of a challenge, but my newly clear skin is the only thing keeping me from going back to my multiple coffees a day. Not to be dramatic, but if I never had a drop of caffeine again in my life, and my skin remained this clear, I think I'd be okay with that.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42064
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26437
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951605
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

137172
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments