TF and skin help?

[barcelona]

I have been having problems with my skin for about the past 10 months. It is clear that at least some of it is stress-related, as our life has been kind of tumultuous and upsetting and challenging in that time.

I eat about 95% TF...am not perfect when we go out (it's pretty hard to be), but we don't go out often. I have also faltered a few times, in moments of broke-ness and weakness this summer, as our stress has risen.

Anyway...does anyone have any tips to help me clear up my skin, that could be diet-related? 50% of the time, I'm battling a zit here or there, and I have tiny bumps on my forehead...I also have a rash that seems better lately, but has been impossible to rid (I tried the allergy-elimination diet, and it didn't go away).

I realize there are many factors involved in skin care, including stress, exercise, and skincare...but wanted to see what you ladies had to say about TF and diet and skin.

Thanks SO much for any help you might have!!!

[mbravebird]

Not necessarily only TF, but have you tried oil pulling? There are a couple of threads on here about it. People have supposedly seen big improvements in their skin when oil pulling. It's an ancient ayurvedic technique.

Here are a couple of threads:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=954791
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=915391

[spartz]

Theraputic levels of evening primrose oil and fish oil have helped me tremendously. Also, I'm looking into zinc, magnesium and the B group vitamins.

I'm reading a book at the moment called "The Healthy Skin Diet" by Karen Fischer. Now I don't agree with everything in this book, especially the saturated fat is inflammatory bit. But there is a lot in it that makes sense, knits in with TF and is worth investigating. For example, the author claims that 80% of acne cases clear up with zinc supplementation alone!

She also says a lot of skin conditions - e.g., acne and eczema are actually a liver problem rather than a skin problem (asthma too!). The liver is sluggish for whatever reason so the body is expelling the toxins, excess hormones etc that it can't deal with through the skin. It needs therapeutic levels of the right oils, minerals and vitamins to get it back on track. Also, stress apparently uses up the body's supply of nutrients in a big way, so supplementation is helpful during these periods. And also, probiotics are good but you need different bacteria for different conditions.

Anyway, I'm finding it quite fascinating and am trying to take from this book the bits that make sense to me keeping in mind my own body type. (She's got a great diet outlined for a carbohydrate metabolism but we protein types are going to be rather hungry!).

So maybe this book is worth investigating? Oh she has a web site too - Health before Beauty, but I've found the book far more helpful.

http://www.healthbeforebeauty.com/

[Leilalu]

I use a skin oil that has 7 oils in it. I use such a very tiny amount and it goes a long way. My thirsty skin drinks it up. I get it from Azurestandard.


I also occasionally use a bit of coconut oil on my face. My mom used olive oil for years and looks waaaaaaaaaaay younger than her 4 years older sister.

I notice if I don't have adequate moisture I get pimples. It is hard sometimes to get the right balance, and on any given day I may or may not need the moisturizer since I use oils on my skin.

HTH

[EENS]

I gave up gluten and my skin totally cleared up. I had acne my entire life and never realized it was diet related. I've had every cream, pill and treatment available to no avail.

Now I can tolerate small amounts of gluten without problems. If I ever indulge too much, my skin breaks out again.

[leila1213]

subbing to come back and read later.

[Norasmomma]

I have been researching this myself-since my DD's birth 2 years ago I have had some issues with my skin. I have started(today) with probiotic supplements and am now thinking I should have gotten some zinc. I have read many different things about it. I got my old facial products again and my skin was fine until last week when I went to a friends wedding and had a little too much fun and stayed up late, didn't wash my make-up off and now my face is suffering again, now I have a rash on my chin from over scrubbing and also a huge spider bite on my cheek(obviously that was just bad luck). But I have been having bouts of cystic acne for a few months now and it sucks. I am checking out that book. I think I am going to do a yogurt mask tonight. I just want my nice skin back.

[meggles]

Fish oil internally and raw organic coconut oil externally. I put the coconut oil on after washing my face every morning, and contrary to what one might think about putting oil on oil-prone skin, my face is totally clear. It's also made my skin really soft.

[Leilalu]

Originally Posted by meggles

Fish oil internally and raw organic coconut oil externally. I put the coconut oil on after washing my face every morning, and contrary to what one might think about putting oil on oil-prone skin, my face is totally clear. It's also made my skin really soft.

I did this and then after I while I broke out a bit. Not sure why- or if maybe it was cleansing or I was using too much. I am thinking now about getting a little jar so that I can give my skin either the 7 oil treatment or coconut.

[Junegoddess]

Oh, I hope this works... I'm away from home and using a very low wi-fi connection!

I had kinda mild cystic acne ever since high school. I didn't realize that was weird until about a year ago. Now I think I'm finally figuring out the delicate balance that makes my skin happy. First, I went gluten-free. That helped. And then... it stopped helping. I discovered other allergens, and stopped eating them. It helped a lot. I'd also had horrible scratch-till-I-bled dandruff my whole life, and that seems to be related to my dairy allergy. I think going gluten-free helped me get more zinc out of my diet, which helped my skin. And then, because I'm allergic to coconut, I stopped using my precious beloved CO on my skin, and switched to jojoba (because I had some, didn't research it.) My skin LOVES jojoba. As I said, I'm away from home, and oil doesn't travel nicely, so I'm using Eucerin and I've got zits again. I also had been breaking out right around ovulation, but I'm taking herbs to balance my cycles (Dr. Ron's Belle Femme and also maca, I love maca with all my heart now!) and that seems to have reduced my hormone-related acne.

Oh, and yes... way back at the beginning of this journey, a year ago, I unequivocally discovered the connection between my skin's happiness and my intake of fish oil. Cod liver oil is nice, too, and I take both when I can afford both, but I feel rather strongly that my quality of life depends on fish oil (and now maca!) LOL I try to get a good amount of sun on my skin at least a few times a week, and that keeps it happy, too. I used to have pilaris keratosis (or something like that, never remember the name right)- little hard bumps on my arms and shoulders- and it's gone now.

The OP mentioned an elimination diet, and since I tend to think everything comes down to diet, I'm curious how long you stuck with it and how sure you are that you were totally gluten-free for a time? Gluten is my personal soapbox, LOL.

This turned out pretty long... hope it goes through...

[saratc]

I know people on conventional diets that get zits when they eat chips or drink soda. I get zits always when I am detoxing. I think it does boil down to diet, nutrition, and your body's natural pathways to get rid of toxins.

[yitlan]

Are you taking CLO? I battled cystic acne (and horrific canker sores) for years. During pregnancy it would subside and for awhile while nursing and return when that stepped down. I really feel CLO makes a big difference! Probiotics might also help.