By Laura Badalamenti, NMD

There are many ways to reduce acne. The first and most important is your dietary choices. Diets high in sugar and carbohydrates will contribute to acne. Also, it is best to avoid fast food and fried foods which contain a large amount of unhealthy inflammatory fats. Dairy products also have an association with aggravating acne, so it is best to avoid dairy until your acne clears up. Focus on 2-5 cups of vegetables per day and 1-2 servings of fruit. Have a quality protein with each meal such as beans, nuts, fish, eggs, chicken, or grass-fed beef. Also, use healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil when you cook. Fish oils can be taken separately and are very good for skin health. A clay mask can help clarify the skin, make a paste by mixing some water with bentonite clay powder and use every evening on your face for about 10 minutes. This is a very natural approach without using a lot of chemicals. Make sure you are using facial care products that are without harmful chemicals. A great resource for finding healthy skin care products is Environmental Working Group and their Skin Deep resource page, https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.