The holidays are so much fun! Post-holiday breakouts, not so much. When the holidays come around, we usually notice an increase in breakouts due to all of the delicious holiday goodies. Most holiday meals are made with sugar, dairy, and simple carbs, and to top it all off with holiday cocktails. It can be hard to avoid inflammatory foods that we love so much. The good news is that you can still enjoy all of your favorite holiday treats without completely giving up on your clear skin journey results that you've worked so hard for.
Before I let you in on the secret of how to enjoy your favorite foods, I want you to be mindful of the foods that are big acne triggers:
Iodides
Foods high in iodine and high sodium like iodized salt, season salt, milk, cheese, and butter- pretty much anything on the charcuterie board can cause inflammation and trigger breakouts, especially when already acne-prone.
The best substitute for iodides is sea salt or Himalayan salt.
Dairy
Milk and cheese are also high in iodine, but they also contain hormones that can increase oil production, leading to the formation of acne. Whether it's eggnog, holiday lattes, or the glass of milk with cookies for Santa, this includes organic, non-organic, and non-fat milk.
The best substitute for dairy is almond and oak milk.
Desserts & Treats
The best part about the holidays, am I right? This one can be tricky to resist, but many holiday goodies are prepared with large amounts of sugar and refined sugar. High-sugar diets increase oil production in the skin due to fluctuating blood sugar levels, leading to clogged pores.
Carbohydrates
White bread, pasta, dinner rolls, and potatoes are all sneaky acne triggers and exacerbate acne by spiking your insulin levels like refined sugar.
Other acne-triggering foods:
Whey and Soy
Seafood (shellfish)
Peanuts and peanut butter
Oils- peanut, corn, and canola
Okay, now that we got that out of the way. Here's how you can keep your skin clear and enjoy the holiday feast. Pick one day of festivities to indulge in your favorite dishes without guilt. You deserve to enjoy the holidays and treat yourself. It's important to be mindful of what may trigger a breakout or two. Just remember to be consistent with your daily routine.
Happy Holidays!
XO,