Cooler Days, Clearer Skin? Uncovering the Truth About Fall and Acne 

(Written by Antara Kothare)

As the leaves change colour and temperatures drop, you may notice changes in your skin, too. Fall weather can actually affect acne, but whether it’s for better or worse depends on a few factors. The cooler air tends to dry out the skin, which may initially seem like a relief from oily or acne-prone skin. However, dry skin can lead to an overproduction of oil, causing pores to become clogged, which may result in breakouts. Add to that the comforting, indulgent foods we often crave in the fall, and acne can quickly become an unexpected guest.  

Diet and Acne: Surprising Triggers You Didn’t See Coming

If you’ve ever wondered if what you eat affects your skin, the answer is yes! Dairy and sugar are two major players that can trigger or worsen acne. Cow’s milk, especially, contains proteins like casein and whey that increase levels of hormones such as insulin and IGF-1. These hormones stimulate oil production in the skin, making it more likely for pores to become clogged and acne to form. This is why some people who consume large amounts of dairy or use whey protein supplements notice more breakouts. 

Sugar also has a sneaky way of impacting your skin. Foods high in sugar can spike your insulin levels, which leads to an increase in skin cell production, clogging your pores and triggering acne. Chocolate, for instance, often gets blamed for breakouts, but it’s typically the sugar and milk in chocolate that are the culprits. 

While certain foods can contribute to acne, others can support a clearer, healthier complexion. Foods rich in antioxidants may help with acne because antioxidants can reduce inflammation and help with oxidative stress that can damage skin. 

Some Foods High in Antioxidants

Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C and anthocyanins, which help reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.

Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as other antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, promoting clearer skin.

Walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds contain vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and support skin barrier health, improving acne.

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect skin from damage and reduce inflammation.

Sweet potatoes and carrots are rich in beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A), these help regulate skin cell turnover, reducing clogged pores that can lead to acne.

Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are loaded with vitamin C, a key antioxidant that helps in collagen production, aiding skin repair and reducing acne scars.

Curcumin in turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that may reduce acne-related inflammation.

Garlic has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. 

Red grapes are rich in resveratrol, a compound known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can help soothe acne.

Recommendations

Start adding ground flaxseeds, hemp seeds and soaked chia seeds to your smoothies, oatmeal etc. sprinkle on top of salads and soups.

Make sure to keep your colon clean by having daily bowel movements.

Limit hormone laden animal protein and food high in fat.

Acne and the Menstrual Cycle

80% of the immune system’s resources are redirected toward assisting the reproductive system during menstruation, leaving 20% to manage other health issues.

As a result, women may experience an increase in acne during this time because of the immune system’s reduced capacity makes it harder to combat inflammation and bacterial activity. 

Lymphocyte levels (white blood cells that play a critical role in fighting infections) are known to decrease during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, particularly before menstruation.

This can lead to a wave of acne flare-ups, as the body becomes less efficient at responding to skin infections or healing. 

Hormonal changes: Shifts in progesterone and estrogen levels just before and during menstruation can further impact immune function.

How to Fight Acne Safely

Many turn to acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, a powerful solution that kills acne-causing bacteria. But did you know that benzoyl peroxide can degrade into benzene, a harmful chemical? Benzene is a carcinogen, which means it’s linked to cancer, so it’s essential to choose products carefully. For a gentler approach, consider natural options like tea tree oil, witch hazel, or aloe vera, which can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation without the risks associated with benzoyl peroxide. 

Clean Brands

For safer options, consider using products with glycolic acid (less than 10%), salicylic acid, and niacinamide, which are effective in treating acne without the risk of benzene formation. 

SkinCeuticals offers high-quality, dermatologist-recommended skincare products without benzoyl peroxide. 

Eminence skin care has an acne line.

Herbivore Botanicals: Uses natural ingredients like blue tansy and jojoba oil, which are gentle alternatives to synthetic chemicals, and avoids benzoyl peroxide or other high-risk ingredients. 

EWG

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) operates a website called EWG’s Skin Deep® Database, which allows users to check the safety ratings of ingredients used in personal care products, including skincare and acne treatments.

The database assigns a score to ingredients based on their potential toxicity and overall safety, helping consumers make informed choices about the products they use. 

Benzoyl peroxide holds a score of 6, which is at the upper end of the moderate hazard category. This rating is due to concerns about its potential for skin irritation and the risks associated with long-term use or improper storage, which can lead to the formation of benzene, a known carcinogen.