Acne is one of the most common skin concerns for teens
And it’s about more than just hormones or the wrong skincare product. What you eat, how you sleep, how you move your body, and even how you feel about food can all impact the health of your skin.
Here’s how to take a holistic approach to teen acne—starting with your plate and not ending there.
🍽️ What You Eat Can Show Up on Your Skin
While food isn’t the single cause of acne, diet plays a big role in inflammation, oil production, and hormonal balance—all of which affect breakouts.
🚫 Foods That May Worsen Acne:
- High-glycemic foods (white bread, candy, soda): Spike blood sugar and trigger excess oil.
- Dairy (especially skim milk): May affect hormones linked to acne.
- Greasy fast foods: Processed ingredients can fuel inflammation.
- Refined sugar & chocolate: May increase the likelihood of breakouts in some individuals.
✅ Skin-Friendly Foods:
- Omega-3s (salmon, chia seeds, walnuts): Reduce inflammation.
- Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, lentils): Help control oil and support healing.
- Low-glycemic foods (whole grains, veggies, fruits): Balance blood sugar and sebum levels.
- Antioxidants (berries, leafy greens, tomatoes): Protect skin cells and reduce redness.
Small shifts—like swapping soda for water or chips for fruit—can make a big difference over time.
😴 Sleep: Skin Repair Happens at Night
Teens need 8–10 hours of sleep a night—but most aren’t getting it. Lack of sleep increases cortisol, the stress hormone, which can:
- Lead to inflammation and excess oil
- Slow skin healing
- Increase the chance of breakouts
✨ A well-rested body = calmer skin, quicker recovery, and more balanced hormones.
🏃♀️ Exercise: Move for a Clearer Mind and Skin
Regular movement supports:
- Healthy circulation, which brings oxygen and nutrients to skin cells
- Detoxification through sweat
- Stress reduction, which lowers cortisol and oil production
Any movement counts: walking, dancing, playing sports, or yoga. Just be sure to wash your face after sweating to avoid clogged pores.
🧠 Food is Fuel, Not the Enemy
A healthy relationship with food is key to long-term skin (and mental) health.
- Avoid labeling foods as "bad" or "guilty." Balance is better than restriction.
- Listen to your body—notice how certain foods affect your energy, mood, and skin.
- Remember: You don’t need to eat “perfectly” to have good skin.
- Learning to eat mindfully and without shame reduces stress—another hidden trigger for acne.
💡 Final Takeaway: Clear Skin Starts With Self-Care, Not Just Skincare
The journey to clearer skin doesn’t come from a single miracle product or cutting out one food group. It comes from:
- Nourishing your body
- Getting quality rest
- Moving in ways that feel good
- Treating yourself with kindness
These daily habits work together to support not just better skin—but better confidence and well-being, too.
✨ Proper Skincare for Oily, Combo & Blemish-Prone Skin
KATHLEEN PEARA SKINCARE FOR LIFE
Clarifiance Collection
Powered by nature and science, this collection delivers gentle yet effective solutions for oily and blemish-prone skin.
Formulated with active ingredients including:
- Niacinamide (B3)
- Alpha Arbutin
- Azelaic Acid
- Salicylic Acid
- Licorice Root Extract
- Tomato Extract H.GL-M.S.
These targeted ingredients work to:
- ✔️ Reduce breakouts and excess oil
- ✔️ Brighten discoloration and post-acne marks
- ✔️ Calm inflammation and support a clear, balanced complexion
Clearer skin, backed by science and inspired by nature.