The Key is Understanding Gut Health is Closely Linked to Skin Health
After an intense, year-long phase of chronic acne, I am keen to share that I am writing this with clear skin. I would wake up literally every. single. day. with at least one new zit. My face was a rosy, enflamed mess of spots of varying shades of red depending on the stage of the pimple/scar. I started taking diligent care of my pillow case hygiene, I washed my face with all sorts of expensive, trendy products. Then, I used only the dermatologist recommended products.
Then I went to get a facial from my local Korean spa. My facialist took one look at me and immediately told me, “You need to stop eating dairy. Also, squeeze a lot of lemon juice into a glass and drink it every day before eating vegetables. Your body needs the vitamin C to absorb collagen”.
This inspired me to do some more research into the subject, which is how I learned about Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM is defined by Britannica as a “system of medicine at least 23 centuries old that aims to prevent or heal disease by maintaining or restoring yinyang balance.” The rabbit hole of Traditional Chinese Medicine is one that I implore you to traverse on your own. For now, I will share with you some foods that immediately helped improve my gut health which subsequently clear my acne outbreaks. Here are 5 foods for clear skin:
1. Kimchi
The probiotics in fermented kimchi is the gold we are after. Luckily, it is delivered in the tasty and addictive package of the savory fermented cabbage that is kimchi. My favorite way to eat kimchi is with a steaming bowl of fresh white rice, a fried egg, and a sprinkle of furikake on top.
2. Bone Broth
Bone broth is rich in collagen and healthy fats. It is cheap, easily accessible, and helps promote minimal animal-product waste by extracting as much nutrition out of the animal as possible. Bone broth can be made easily at home by using left over chicken bones from your family’s roast in an instant pot or even just a pot on your stove. Martha Stewart has simple instructions here: How To Make Bone Broth, According to Experts.
3. Anchovies
I love eating anchovies out of the jar. It makes me feel like I am a little stray cat eating fresh grub as I cruise the alleyways with my cat friends. The little buggers, amongst other small fish, are rich in fatty acids and B12 vitamins which will help keep your skin moist and glowing.
4. Kiwi
We all know how important probiotics are, but don’t forget about PREbiotics. Kiwi is rich in prebiotics, which are the microorganisms that probiotics eat. You are basically nurturing a whole ecosystem in your tummy. Kiwi is a food to help clear your skin.
5. Sauerkraut
Similar to its cousin, Kimchi, sauerkraut is another form of fermented cabbage that is chock-full of probiotics that will help clear your skin. My favorite way to eat sauerkraut is, without a doubt, on a steaming hot dog.
Skincare is an art as much as it is a science.
This worked for me, give it a try and see if any of this helps you. And this should go without saying, always consult with your doctor and/or dermatologist whenever necessary.
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