FitSugar

What You Eat Goes to Your Face: The Truth About Acne Quiz

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Pimples. Zits. Blemishes. We all get them and we're all on a quest to get rid of them. Take this quiz to see what you know about what causes them and how to prevent them from popping up.

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Whole Wheat Bread Beats Acne!

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Everyone hates spots, pimples, zits, acne. Not matter what you call them, you don't want blemishes on your face. New research indicates that changing your diet may help! Yep, eating low glycemic foods may help improve the quality of your skin.

Here's the low down on low glycemic foods - they cause a more gradual and sustained increase of glucose (a simple sugar used as energy) in the bloodstream, and include foods such as high-fiber, complex carbohydrates. Low glycemic load diets have been promoted for weight loss and diabetes control since they affect the levels of insulin in the body. Given that high levels of insulin may contribute to acne, it was only a matter of time before this connection was studied.

Although the study followed only men for a 12 week period, one can hope the positive effects of a low glycemic diet will translate to women as well - even though we have hormonal monthly changes that affect our skin. You know what I am talking about!

Bonus: The men on the low glycemic diet also lost weight, showed greater reductions in levels of the male sex hormone androgen and increased insulin sensitivity (which is a good thing).

So if you are prone to pimples eating food low on the glycemic index might just help. You might want to avoid iodine as well. Looking for more immediate relief? Check out these clear colored pimple banishers.

Spring Exercise Tip: Take a Shower

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:15:00 -0700

I know it hasn't quite felt like Spring yet, with the East Coast getting that Nor'Easter last week, but I think it's safe to say that She has arrived!

With this exciting warmer weather and sunshiny skies, everyone is getting the itch to get outside and enjoy it. There were hardly any people in my yoga class, and there were no lines for the machines at the gym - everyone's exercising in this amazing weather.

Since the temperature is warmer, you're going to be sweating more. Sweat can cause major problems in the skin department, because bacteria can get into your pores and cause pimples, even if you were never prone to body acne before.

Wearing clothes made out of fabrics that wick away moisture can help, but the best thing you can do is:

Get out of those sweaty wet clothes as soon as you're done working out (we all know that sitting in wet undies is a great way to get a yeast infection). Make sure to wash your workout clothes before you wear them again.
Change into a whole new dry outfit, or better yet, take a shower to wash off all that sweat and bacteria.
If you're prone to breaking out after working out, get yourself some acne-fighting body wash. After the shower, use a lotion that contains salicylic acid on areas where you tend to break out - this can help prevent pimples from starting in the first place.

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Which is MORE Embarrassing?

FitSugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 02:45:00 -0700

Being human, there are things that happen to all of us, but they don't make them any less bearable. So, tell me, which is more embarrassing...?

Zit Creams: Which One Works?

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

When I get stressed out, it's inevitable that my face will break out. It happens to everyone, but that doesn't make me feel better. When pimples show up, I want them to disappear ASAP.

At the drug store, there are tons of acne treatments, so what really works? There are 2 main ingredients that you'll see listed on zit creams.

Benzoyl Peroxide - It comes in gels or creams with 2.5%, 5%, or 10% concentration. Research suggests that the 5% and 10% formulas don't work better, and the 2.5% is better tolerated by the skin. It commonly causes dryness and irritation. Some people may be more sensitive to it, and suffer from burning, itching, peeling, or swelling.

Salicylic Acid - Blemishes are formed when skin cells inside hair follicles shed too fast and clump together, which plug up the follicle. Salicylic Acid treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. Use a lotion or pad with this ingredient daily to prevent possible break outs.

Fit's Tips: I recommend trying them both out. Our complexions are so different, and one ingredient may work better for you. They both are meant to dry up the offensive area, so if you notice your skin peeling excessively, cut down on your use.

Petroleum and Mineral Oil: Bad News For Your Skin

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:15:00 -0800

We all know crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a fossil fuel that was produced deep in the earth through a process that took millions of years to complete.

Today, almost all of us come into contact with a derivative of petroleum every day. The world is full of products that come from petroleum - gasoline, Styrofoam, lubricating oils. Did you know that cosmetics contain fossil fuels too.

Mineral oil and petroleum are the basic ingredients in many beauty products today - and both come from fossils fuels (gross).

By locking moisture against the skin, petroleum and mineral oil sit on the skin’s surface and can potentially block pores. This may cause the appearance of pimples because the skin cannot properly breathe.

The use of chemicals such as petroleum can also increase your risk for developing skin cancer.

Fit's Tips: Go ahead - check the ingredients on your foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers. If you see mineral oil or petroleum, you may want to ditch them and look for other products that are crude oil free. Also, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, ceresin, toluene, benzene, petrolatum, and paraffin are all derivatives of petroleum, so you'll want to avoid these as well.

Got Pimples?

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Dermatologists found a link between acne and high levels of iodine, which is found in foods such as shellfish. High levels of iodine are also found in dairy products, because the cows are fed iodine-enriched feed to prevent infection.

When iodine enters the body and mixes into your bloodstream, the excess is secreted through the oil glands, irritating your pores. So drinking milk could be aggravating your skin.

But you don't have to give up your love of milk, butter, or cheese. Just switch to an Organic version that contains less iodine.

Fit's Tip: If you love sushi, be aware that the nori wrap contains huge amounts of iodine - 1,020 parts per million as compared to 26 in butter.

You Asked: I Started Exercising, But Now I'm Breaking Out!

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I just got on an exercise kick and joined a gym. I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio three times a week and finishing with 30 minutes of strength training and stretching. I feel amazing and am starting to lose weight, but now I have a new problem - acne. And it's not just on my face. I have it on my neck and back too. How can I prevent this?
- Blemished Back

Acne and bacne can be unfortunate side effects of exercise, especially in hot weather. There are definitely ways to prevent breakouts caused by sweating.

Wash your face before working out to remove excess oil and makeup that can clog your pores. Then apply a facial moisturizer that's made for acne-prone skin such as Neutrogena's Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer.
Always wear clean workout clothes, and choose sports bras and tank tops with shoulder straps rather than racerback style. You want the skin on your back to breathe as much as possible, and if there's material covering it, heat, sweat, and bacteria get trapped, which can lead to bacne. Also, the more your skin is covered, the hotter you'll feel, and the more you'll sweat, which also leads to breakouts.
Wear clothes made of wicking material that pulls sweat off the skin.

To find out what else read more.

After cardio, wash your face before you strength train and stretch. Also dry the rest of your body off. You can even change into a dry bra and top if you're especially prone to bacne.
Shower immediately after you're done exercising. Not only does it rinse the sweat and pimple-causing bacteria off your skin, but the water also helps to cool your body temperature down so you don't continue sweating once you get out. Don't have time to shower? Definitely wash your face and put on clean, dry clothes.
Unclog pores and remove dead skins cells from your skin by exfoliating in the shower with loofah gloves. They're gentle enough to use everyday on your face and the rest of your body. Use the gloves with an antibacterial cleanser such as Cetaphil, or soaps that have acne medicine in them, such as salicylic acid.

Whatever you do, don't stop working out. If acne is still a problem after trying out these tips, see a dermatologist.

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Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: Sweating Makes Me Breakout

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Part of getting a good workout means that I sweat a lot. I don't necessarily need to be sopping wet like when I take a Bikram yoga class, but a little sweat makes me feel like I pushed myself.

The bad thing about sweating when you workout is that it can lead to breakouts, and not just on your face. Blemishes can appear on your back, neck and chest, but they don't have to.

Here are some tips on preventing exercise-related pimples:

Wash your face before working out to get all the oil and makeup off. Then apply a facial moisturizer that's made for acne-prone skin such as Neutrogena's Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer.
Always wear clean workout clothes. Choose a sports bra and tank top that has over-the-shoulder sleeves instead of a racerback or t-shirt that covers your back. Wear the least amount of clothes while still feeling comfortable, since the more your skin is covered, the hotter you'll feel and the more you'll sweat.
Wear clothes made of breathable fabric. Many sports bras and tops are made of wicking material that pulls sweat off the skin.

There are more tips. To see them read more

If you like to do weight training or stretching after your sweaty cardio routine, dry yourself off in between and then change into a dry bra and top.
Shower immediately after exercising to prevent body acne. Not only does it rinse the sweat and pimple-causing bacteria off your skin, but the water also helps to cool your body temperature down so you don't continue sweating once you get out. If you can't shower, definitely wash your face and peel off those sweaty clothes. Completely dry off and put on clean, dry clothes. Then hit the shower as soon as you can.
Exfoliate your skin. I like to use loofah gloves in the shower (My fave are from The Body Shop, $7). They're gentle enough to use everyday, on your face and the rest of your body. Use the gloves with an antibacterial cleanser such as Cetaphil, or soaps that have acne medicine in them, such as salicylic acid. Gently scrub your skin to unclog pores and slough off dead skin cells.

Fit's Tips: Whatever you do, don't stop working out. If acne is still a problem after trying out these tips, seeing a dermatologist is a great idea.

Favorite Excuse Not to Wear Sunscreen: I Break Out

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:30:50 -0700

If you're regularly exposed to the sun's harmful UV rays, it can lead to skin cancer, wrinkles, and sunspots. The obvious solution is to protect your skin with sunscreen. One problem though is that lathering your skin with SPF lotion can cause breakouts on your face, neck, shoulders, and back. For some people, it's so embarrassing that it makes them want to forget the sunscreen altogether. Remember though that not all sunscreens are created equal. To help prevent breakouts caused by sunscreen, read more.

First of all, if your skin is acne prone, you'll want to use a special sunscreen designed just for your face and another for the rest of your body. Go for an oil-free face lotion like the one shown that is specifically formulated not to clog your pores - the technical terms is noncomedogenic. If your body is prone to breakouts, choose an oil-free body sunscreen that's also noncomedogenic.

If you have acne lotion or topical medication you use, apply it to your clean skin first, and then apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before heading out into the sun. As soon as you come inside wash the sunscreen off. If you've tried a certain brand of sunscreen, and it's caused pimples then try another one. It may take a few tries or a visit to your dermatologist for suggestions, but whatever you do, don't give up and forget the sunscreen. Your skin will thank you later.