Skin

[greenpapaya]

Hey ladies,

How are you all doing? I've just a little question in regards to skin..

So, one of the main reasons I decided to give the Whole30 a go was to get rid of my adult acne. I never really had much of a problem as a teenager, but over the last few years I would constantly get massive, cyst-like pimples, which would keep reappearing around the same areas. I attributed it to food, as I was a lot more healthy while living with my parents.

Anyway, right now I'm exactly halfway through my program (yay!). After the first week, I saw a HUGE difference in my skin. The zits on my chin were clearing and there was a lovely, less-oily glow to it. But in the last few days, I suddenly broke out in spots in numerous areas of my face.. Nothing like the really painful cysts I'd been getting, but nonetheless, the pimples are back.. My skin is more oily again as well.

I ate way too many nuts over the weekend (as I was away from home and couldn't prepare proper meals), and also had my first piece of fruit (a nectarine) whilst on the program. I also didn't get proper sleep one night, and I believe my period should be due in the next week or so. However, I have been quite irregular in the past few months.

So, I was just wondering if anyone else has had or is having a similar situation. Do too many nuts or fruit cause inflammation? Does that time of the month have an effect on skin condition. Any information or insight would be heaps appreciated!

Cheers, Aya

[Shantess]

Hi Aya,

Yes, I can totally relate. Had acne since I was a child that's gotten progressively worse as I get older (I'm 31). One of my main motivations for doing the Whole 30 and going paleo (about 2 months now) was to hopefully clear my skin (as well as regulate my cycles and improve my digestion). It took a solid month before I noticed an improvement in my skin - it's not perfect, still oily (but less) and a few small breakouts, which I attribute to hormonal fluctuations more so that any particular food I've eaten. I wondered at one point if nuts or nightshades might aggravate my skin but I think it's more hormonal (for me anyway). Overall, the change in my skin has drastically improved - the infected, inflammed cysts that just would not heal are gone. I attribute this to a combination of things though including eating cleaner in general (Whole30/paleo), finding out about and eliminating food intolerances to gluten and eggs (went to a naturopath and had an IgE antibody test done), and taking vitamin supplements. My theory is that this combination of things has helped to reduce chronic, systemic inflammation in my body, which I think was the main trigger to my acne all these years....just wish I had known that 15 years ago! Also, like you, my cycles have been irregular (I have PCOS) and still no improvement there - Rome wasn't built in a day so I'm hoping that with time, that will improve, as well. Good luck

[Renee Lee]

NUTS is the trigger that's popping out for me in your situation, but there are a lot of confounding factors. Nuts are are a problematic food for many people, and while they're W30 approved, most/many people do better without them in the mix. It could be where you are in your cycle too, but my gut says it was the nuts.

I believe that drinking bone broth is also really good for skin, in addition to all its other awesome effects.

[jrustdc]

Does anyone know how quickly food-related acne would appear? I broke out in a few places suddenly this week, which used to be common but had pretty much stopped altogether since my first W30 in May.

[greenpapaya]

Cheers for insights, shantess and renee!

I'm thinking it's the nuts, too. So no more nuts for me (it'll be tough), at least for a while anyway, to see if my suspicions prove to be true... Gonna try to make some bone broth, too! I don't own a slow cooker, but do have a pressure cooker... does anyone know if it can it be made using one?

jrustdc- If the nuts were the trigger for me, if was pretty immediate- the next day I woke up with the pimples.

[Tiffany Precissi]

Greenpapaya - We make our bone broth with a pressure cooker! My husband found the recipe from nomnompaleo I believe. You could probably google one as well.

[greenpapaya]

Tiffany, I just found that one, too! Will try to make it tonight- so excited.

[Bucket]

I have seen improvements from using the oil cleansing method (OCM) with straight jojoba oil and also jojoba oil as a moisturizer in the evening. Read up on the OCM. It is amazing how using oil cleans your pores and also makes you less oily throughout the day.

[Karen]

I have seen improvements from using the oil cleansing method (OCM) with straight jojoba oil and also jojoba oil as a moisturizer in the evening. Read up on the OCM. It is amazing how using oil cleans your pores and also makes you less oily throughout the day.

I've been using coconut oil in lieu if my daily moisturizer and couldn't be happier. My few cyclical zits this month were small, drained quickly, and didn't turn into a huge, swollen mess the size of a dime. I didn't see many changes in my skin while on the Whole30, but did with coconut oil!

[Derval]

Wow I must look in to this OCM - does it helps with lines?

[Bucket]

I think so. I don't have many, but I think it really does a good job of naturally moisturizing and restoring elasticity.

[Bucket]

I've been using coconut oil in lieu if my daily moisturizer and couldn't be happier. My few cyclical zits this month were small, drained quickly, and didn't turn into a huge, swollen mess the size of a dime. I didn't see many changes in my skin while on the Whole30, but did with coconut oil!

I am really happy to hear that the coconut oil is working out well for you

[Trionna]

I also need help with my skin!

Like Green papaya, I've had quite a bit of trouble over the years with my skin and the big, red, painful spots. Last year I did an anti-candida diet and it hadn't been that bad, but it had started to worsen again over the summer, and I noticed in August that it was bad just before my period.

Last week I was halfway through my first Whole30 and my face just exploded with spots (just before my period started). Not like Green papaya, but much worse with the large red cysts all over my face and my whole face was swollen in each spotted area. Some of the spots were even three-in-one! It was horrific and the worst spots I'd ever have in my life. I'd anticipated my skin would improve after reading ISWF and starting the whole30, but it just seems to be getting worse.

I tried the aforementioned OCM, and it did make the non spotted skin feel nice, but hasn't really helped otherwise. A week later - day 22 - and I've got more spots?!

Could one of the Whole9 guys give any expert advice on this? Whole30 was my last attempt to try something (I've genuinely tried everything else!) and I seem to be failing?

Also, I'm eating really well, totally strict and really limiting my fruit and nuts as I have sugar/snacking issues!

My performance at Crossfit has really improved, as has my energy/concentration, but I'm not losing ANY weight. Not even 1/4 pound (though I only need to lose maybe 10 pounds at most?)

Please help. I feel like I've hit a brick wall and I've nothing else to try after this. Pretty demoralised...

Cheers,

T

[Megan Claydon]

Trionna, as far as moderators go, I feel like this is beyond or expertise or experience. Have you tried talking to your doctor or dermatologist about possible treatment plans?

[Trionna]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I've done it all. Literally. Oh Well, guess I'm stuck with it.

Cheers.

[greenpapaya]

I feel your pain, Trionna!

My skin did get worse before it got better during my Whole30, but by the end of it, was pretty much spot-free. I would say just hang in there- may take a little more time, but by eating compliantly for a while, I truly believe most skin issues can be fixed..

This idea has been reinforced to me over the last week. I finished my Whole30 last month, but kinda fell back into bad old habits, particularly over the last few days. Let's just say dairy and particularly sugar transforms me into Pizza Face pretty much immediately.

[NinjaSarah]

Glad I found this post. I only had minor acne as a teen (although it didn't seem so minor back then ) but was attacked by adult acne, and I am quite familiar with those painsful cyst-zits. Ugh. Plus I tend to run red in the face. Not rosecea red, but I Always use green primer. I was/am really hoping Whole30 will help with general skin issues. It seems quite unfair (but common) to be dealing with my first lines And pimples. With my birth control I don't actually cycle, but I still get some cycle side-effects, mainly increased acne. I started W30 right after what would have been my typical time and have had perpetual bumpy/oily forehead. I've always ran on the oily side of the spectrum but this seems heavier. Oddly enough, the rest of my skin feels drier than before. ??? I know my body is still adjusting to the fat/oils, this is day 8 for me, but anyone have any suggestions? I've kept my typical "beauty" regime (if skin gets better or worse I want to know what food/habits cause the change) and am drinking more water/liquid than before.

Thanks