Is your bad skin getting you down? Nutritionist Eve Kalinik reveals how where your spots are on your face could reveal signs about your health
Why do those dreaded spotty breakouts occur and what do they say about our health?
According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Ayurvedic medicine, which have both been used for centuries as health diagnostic tools, the location of your spots can reveal imbalances in certain systems or organs in your body.
Eve Kalinik, nutritionist and ambassador for YOUNG LDN, London’s latest beauty and skin destination explains the myriad of factors which can cause breakouts and what you can do to prevent them.
the location of your spots can reveal imbalances in certain systems or organs in your body
Good hydration, maintaining a well-balanced diet, ensuring you get good levels and quality of sleep, stress management and keeping your make up brushes and mobile phone clean can all help to keep your skin clear.
There are also some specific foods you can incorporate into your diet to help combat breakouts in particular areas.
Eve divulges below the best ways to combat these breakouts and what they can reveal about your overall health.
Cheek spots
Red bumpy pimples across your cheeks could be a result of a condition called rosacea, which has been linked to bacterial imbalances on the skin and in the gut.
To improve your gut and skin health, it is important to support your microbiome (aka the trillions of microorganisms that live on and in us) and growth of beneficial microbes in your gut through your diet.
pots on the cheeks may link to respiratory organs
As a starting point, make sure you include plenty of fibre in to your diet, in the form of veggies, fruits, nuts & seeds, wholegrains and fermented foods such as kefir, kombucha, organic full fat natural yogurt and sauerkraut. A good probiotic supplement may also help.
In traditional Chinese medicine, spots on the cheeks may link to respiratory organs, so think about including deep breathing exercises or practises such as yoga, as well as quitting smoking.
Also, be more mindful about the cleanliness of your phone, as you would be shocked at the trillions of bugs and bacteria that linger on your phone, which you hold regularly to your face.
Jawline spots
Spots around the jawline can often be hormonal in their nature, so you might find that these are more prevalent around menstruation or when there is a shift in hormones, such as puberty or menopause.
You may also see these worsen during periods of heightened stress and anxiety.
To improve symptoms, try adding in foods that can help balance oestrogen levels, such as the cruciferous vegetables which include broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage.
try adding in foods that can help balance oestrogen levels
Turmeric is also useful for supporting the liver and hormones, as is garlic, so try adding these into your diet regularly. Another important factor which can affect your skin is stress management, so invest in some R&R time, which can really help support clearer skin.
Forehead spots
Spots on the forehead can often be linked to an imbalance in sebum (oil) production.
This relies on zinc, so try to up your intake of foods rich in this mineral, for example organic grass-fed red meat, shellfish such as crab (oysters being the highest source of zinc), pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds, and high percentage dark chocolate (in moderation).
Traditional Chinese medicine also links spots on the forehead to digestive issues
Avoid high sugar and refined foods in excess, as these can also affect oil production. Focus instead on healthy oils found in oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds.
Traditional Chinese medicine also links spots on the forehead to digestive issues, so make sure to include plenty of vegetables and other fibre such as nuts & seeds and wholegrains, as well as fermented foods such as kefir, kombucha, organic full fat natural yogurt and pickled veggies, such as sauerkraut and kimchi in your diet.
Nose spots
This area of the face is full of diluted pores, so ensure you keep you regularly clean your makeup brushes.
Traditional Chinese medicine also links this area to the cardiovascular system, so make sure you increase your omega 3 fatty acids intake by adding oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), organic grass-fed meat and plant-based sources (flaxseed, walnuts and hemp) to your diet.
Try to also up your green leafy veggies, which are a rich source of vitamin K which is important for cardiovascular health.
Taking good care of your body from the inside and out is essential for maintaining clear skin. To boost your skin and keep it hydrated, why not try the Young LDN’s ‘Signature Facial’ or ‘A Breath of Fresh Air Oxygen RX Facial’ at their skin and beauty destination in the heart of Notting Hill.
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