Acne Fighting Foods

If eating the wrong foods can impact your heart and lungs, why can't eating the wrong foods impact the largest human organ, your skin? Finally! It has been scientifically proven that diet plays a vital role with acne sufferers of all ages. Acne sufferers can treat acne naturally and holistically and get great results! In a recent study, the participants' acne were improved drastically after 12 weeks of following the right diet. 
 

The Acne Slayer Cookbook is a collection of recipes that promotes an acne-free complexion. In the Acne Slayer Cookbook, you'll find over 100 easy to prepare dishes. Recipes are jam packed with antioxidants, Vitamin A, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, calcium, chromium, fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, protein, potassium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Parents of teens suffering with acne can prepare meals from this cookbook. Recipes can be enjoyed by the entire family! 

The Acne Slayer Cookbook is more than a collection of recipes. Download it to an internet capable device, and it becomes an interactive cookbook. All recipes are linked to additional nutritional information, video tutorials, and reviews. DOWNLOAD NOW! Before downloading you will be asked to complete a short offer.

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Teen Acne

Puberty

Puberty is the term used for the period when adolescents become capable of reproducing. During puberty, there is an increase in the body's production of androgenic (male) hormones. This increase is due to the enlargement of sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum. Sebum is the oil produced that is responsible for lubricating and waterproofing the skin. Acne is created within the pilosebaceous unit. The pilosebaceous unit includes the sebaceous gland, hair shaft, and hair follicle. When the pilosebaceous unit does not expel the sebum as it should, the hair follicle becomes clogged. This clogged hair follicle can develop into any number of acne lesions. These acne lesions include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. For more information, see the "What is Acne?" post. 

Males

Although acne occurs at the same rate in males and females, males have more severe cases of acne. This could be because males have more male hormones. Also, males have larger pores and more sebaceous glands than females. Unlike females, males cannot wear makeup to cover up their acne breakouts. Teen males are more susceptible to depression as a result of severe acne.  Depression is a serious medical condition that should not be ignored. Visit iFred.org if you are you know someone who are showing signs of depression.

Females

Females enter puberty before males. Therefore, females often experience acne breakouts earlier in their lives than males. Females can have acne breakouts anytime. However, the worst breakouts may occur around the time of menstruation. This is due to testosterone being at higher levels than estrogen and progesterone.  

Find out about acne treatments:

• Natural Acne Treatments
• Commercial Acne Treatments

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Acne

Here are links to information about Acne:

• What is Acne?


• Causes of Acne


• Teen Acne


• Adult Acne

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☼ Health & Happiness ☼

Depression and acne often go hand and hand. This gallery is intended to inspire health and happiness to those suffering with acne. Feel free to share these images via Pinterest.  

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Weekly Food Journal

Download your Weekly Food Journal Here!

The Weekly Food Journal is included in the Acne Slayer Cookbook. Only download the Weekly Food Journal if you are not downloading the cookbook.

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Before downloading, you will be asked to complete a short offer.

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Acne Slayer Cookbook Downloads

Here are links to our exclusive content:

• Acne Slayer Cookbook


• Acne Slayer Success Plan


• Acne Slayer Weekly Food Journal

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Commercial Substitutes

The Acne Slayer Blog has compiled a list of commercial supplies. Suppliers are top rated among consumers. These substitutions are intended to accompany the recipes in the Acne Slayer Cookbook. If you are looking for additional substitutes to use in your own recipes, see the "Resources" section of this blog. 

Dairy Substitutes

Butter

• Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks

Cheeses

• Go Veggie Cheddar Slices
• Go Veggie Monterey Jack
• Go Veggie Parmesan

Yogurt

• WholeSoy Yogurt

Sweeteners

• SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener (1 cup for 1 cup sugar)
• SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend (1/2 cup for 1 cup sugar)

Dressings

• Earth Balance Mayonnaise 

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Sweeteners

The Acne Slayer Blog does not ban table sugar from the diet. Table sugar is used sparingly throughout the cookbook. Yet, all recipes are low glycemic. However, for those who wish to substitute sugar in their diet, there are some alternatives. 

Table sugar has a glycemic index of 68. Here are some natural sweeteners with lower glycemic indexes than table sugar.

Agave Nectar

Agave nectar has a GI of about 15. It is sweeter than sugar with a taste similar to honey. Generally you can use 1/2 to 2/3 less agave nectar when a recipe calls for sugar.  In other words, if a recipe calls for 2 cups of sugar, it can be replaced with 1 cup to 1 1/3 cup of agave nectar. When baking, use 2/3 agave nectar per cup of sugar replaced. Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees as agave nectar browns more than sugar. Also decrease the other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 to 1/5.

Coconut Palm Sugar

Coconut palm sugar has a GI of about 35. It is less sweet than table sugar and it tastes similar to brown sugar. Coconut palm sugar can be replaced in equal amounts to table sugar in recipes.

Raw Buckwheat Honey

Raw buckwheat honey has a GI range of 30 to 40. It is a less processed and less refined version of commercial honey. Replace 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 to 3/4 cup of raw buckwheat honey. When baking, bake at a slighter lower temperature. Just as with agave nectar, honey browns more than sugar. Also decrease the other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 to 1/5.

Stevia

Stevia has a GI of 0. Stevia is quite sweeter than sugar and has a bit of an aftertaste. Stevia comes in powered and liquid forms. Replace 1 cup of sugar with either 1 teaspoon liquid stevia, 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon stevia extract powder, 1 tablespoon concentrated stevia liquid or 18 to 24 individual serving packets. This is just a general rule of thumb. The conversions may change based on the producer of the stevia product. Be sure to seek the producer's instructions on specific conversions.

Notes

Even though these natural sweeteners are lower on the glycemic index scale than table sugar, they still should be used in moderation. 

For more options for sweeteners, see the "Commercial" section of this blog.

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Types of Acne

Understanding what acne is and how acne is formed should be the first step in treating acne. When we learn how acne is formed not only can we treat acne, we can also prevent future breakouts.

Acne Defined

Acne is an inflammatory and chronic skin condition that is formed when the pores of the skin becomes clogged with excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. These clogged pores will often become infected and inflamed and may develop into any number of acne lesions.

Pilosebaceous Unit

Before we further discuss acne, let’s look at where acne is formed, the pilosebaceous unit. The pilosebaceous unit is composed of the hair follicle, hair shaft and sebaceous glands. A properly functioning pilosebaceous unit does not cause pores to become clogged or inflamed. A malfunctioning pilosebaceous unit will often produce clogged pores.  

Blackheads

Blackheads are a form of comedones. Comedones is the medical term for clogged pores. Blackheads are produced when sebum and dead skin cells are trapped in the pores of the skin. It’s important to note, blackheads are not trapped dirt. Blackheads have an opening on the surface of the skin. When the clogged pore is exposed to air, its contents become darker.

Whiteheads

Whiteheads are another type of comedones. They are formed just like blackheads. They too are trapped sebum and dead skin cells. However, whiteheads do not have an opening on the surface of the skin. Therefore, its color remain white.

Papules

Papules are small and round elevations formed on the skin. They are hard to the touch and they can be tender. Papules do not contain pus. They are caused by a break in the follicle wall that becomes inflamed.

Pustules

Pustules are small raised bumps on the skin. They are about the same size as papules. However, pustules contain pus. Pustules are formed when there is a break in the follicle wall triggering an increase to white blood cells. The pus in the lesion is a mixture of dead white blood cells, skin cells and bacteria. Pustules look similar to whiteheads, but they have a reddish ring at their base indicating inflammation.

Nodules

Nodules are similar to papules. They too are caused by a break in the follicular wall and are hard to the touch and can be tender. The difference between a nodule and a papule is nodules are bigger and penetrate deeper in the skin.

Cysts

Cysts are large painful lumps that contain pus. They form deep within the skin’s layers. Cysts form when there is an infection at the site of inflammation.

Acne Lesions Classification

Acne lesions can be classified as comedonal or inflammatory. Blackheads and whiteheads are comedonal lesions. The remaining acne lesions are inflammatory.

Acne Classification:

Currently, there is not an universal classification for the severity of acne. Here is a commonly used scale. This scale is based on a count of comedonal, inflammatory and nodulocystic lesions.

Mild Acne:

Mild acne is classified as having less than 20 comedonal lesions, less than 15 inflammatory lesions, less than 2 nodulocystic lesions, and less than 30 total lesions.

Moderate Acne:

Moderate acne is classified as having 20 to 100 comedonal lesions, 15 to 50 inflammatory lesions,  3 to 4 nodulocystic lesions, and 30 to 125 total lesions.

Severe Acne:

Severe acne is classified as having more than 100 comedonal lesions, more than 50 inflammatory lesions, more than 4 nodulocystic lesions, and more than 125 total lesions.

Summary

After reviewing the material on this post, you should be able to identify the different types of acne lesions. You should also be able to classify acne lesions. Lastly, you should be able to rate the severity of your acne breakouts.

Learn more about acne


Additional Resources

Visit the "RESOURCES" page for additional tools and information regarding acne.

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Cooking Aids

The cooking aids used in the Acne Slayer Cookbook are found in most kitchens. However, for your convenience, here's a list of kitchen tools. These items are readily available through online merchants such as Amazon and Walmart as well as local retailers.

Baking 

• 12 muffin pan
• 9x5-inch glass pan
• 9x13-inch glass pan
• Microwave-safe loaf pan
• Baking Sheet

Small Appliances

• Slow cooker
• Waffle iron
• Blender
• Food processor

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Dairy Substitutes

Milk 

If a recipe calls for cow's milk, any unsweetened version of the following list can be substituted. These can be substituted in equal amounts. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 cups whole milk, 2 cups soy milk is the appropriate substitute.

• Soy milk
• Coconut milk
• Almond milk
• Rice milk

Buttermilk 

The following recipe can be substituted in equal amounts.

• Add 2 tbs of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to a cup of soy milk.
• Stir until well blended. 
• Let stand for 5-10 minutes.

Ricotta Cheese

Sour Cream

Parmesan Cheese

For a wider variety of dairy substitutes, see the "Commercial" section of this blog.  

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