We all know what acne is and we all share a dislike for the stubborn blemishes that appear when it’s least convenient.

Acne can affect anyone at almost any age so it’s important

we are living a lifestyle that positively affects African

American skincare. A couple of weeks ago, we showed you how to determine your skin type and to create a

personalized skin care routine. There are multiple factors that

trigger acne break outs, so it’s important to understand how

they work. Caryl Karcher, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology stated that the ―skin is a reflection

of your total body health‖. So this week, we’re focusing on

anti acne lifestyle that we’ve been broken down into three

parts: nutrition, activity, and stress

What we eat plays key role in the way our bodies function. When it

comes to skin care, it’s all about eating more nutrient packed foods,

and avoiding the foods that have processed most of the nutrients

out. Foods with high amounts of antioxidants are ideal for the health of Black skin, because they neutralize a lot of the damage caused

by the environment such UV rays and pollution. Dark berries like blue

berries, black berries, raspberries, and strawberries are full of

antioxidants and other nutrients.

Also be sure to incorporate good fat foods. Foods with good fats contain

omega- 3 fatty acids, and work amazingly to increase the health of skin.

"These fatty acids are responsible for the health of the cell membrane,

which is not only what acts as the barrier to things that are harmful, but

also the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste

products to get in and out of the cell," says Ann Yelmokas McDermott,

PhD, a nutritionist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research

Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. Omega 3 fatty acids can

be found in tuna, salmon, sardines, avocados, walnuts, and among

others.

It’s no secret that exercise is essential in attaining an overall healthy lifestyle.

―But how does it factor in with acne directly?‖ you might be wondering.

Exercise is a great way to nourish the skin with much needed oxygen and

nutrients. The increased activity helps to circulate blood flow and which

carries nourishment to all parts of the body including the skin. Circulating

blood flow also helps to flush the toxins out of the body that can trigger

acne. By maintaining a healthy activity level, we can achieve that radiant

skin that we love in Black Women’s skin care. If you’re working out in the sun,

be sure to also protect your skin from the harsh UVA and UVB rays with Clear

Essence’s Skin Beautifying Milk with PSF 15.

Stress has an effect on a lot of bodily functions including acne. When a

person is stressed – either physically or emotionally—the walls of clogged

pores break and the body secretes in increased amount of oil. Monitor a few

aspects of your life to decrease stress, and in turn, lessen your acne break

outs! Lack of sleep is a common source of physical stress and is one that

affects our entire bodies. The average adult should get 7-8 hours of sleep a

night or at least moments of rest from a demanding schedule. On the

contrary, a sedentary lifestyle can also cause physical stress. As mentioned

earlier, an active lifestyle can help the body’s overall health. Physical activity

releases dopamine (the ―happy‖ hormone), which helps fight stress.

Always remember, “Fresh skin, Just lip!”