Dear Jenna is a feature on The Paleo Project. Similar to an advice column, Dear Jenna was created by the questions I receive from readers. Topics include Paleo, crossfit, relationships, writing, photography, friendship, family and the like. It’s written in the style of Dear Abby with the candor of Carrie Bradshaw. Want to be featured on Dear Jenna? Send me an email at paleoblog(at)gmail(dot)com with the subject: Dear Jenna
Dear Jenna
When I discovered your blog and was reading the “About” page, I noticed a comment about allergies and hormones, but nothing further on how they relate to each other. As a longtime struggler (at least it feels like a longtime) I was wondering if you noticed a correlation between sugar and hormones? I recently noticed it, when I gorged a bag of vegan chocolate one night and struggled the next week to calm my skin and moods down, during that time of the month.
Thanks,
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay!
I like to preface all of these posts with a little disclaimer that I am not a certified nutritionist, there are about a million scientific things that I couldn’t ever delve into here, and if I did, I’d probably have a much different readership. All of my Paleo advice comes from one place: my personal experiences. That being said, I happen to have a lot of experience with: troubled skin, hormonal imbalances and mood swings, capital M, capital S.
I don’t know too much about your skin, or what your breakouts are like, but here’s a glimpse at what mine have ALWAYS been like:
(That’s really hard for me to continually share, but if it helps, then I’ll get over it…)
Since as long as I can remember, breakouts have surfaced on my chin and jawline. After five years of paying really close attention to my skin, my moods, my hormones, my cycle and my diet, here’s what I have learned:
History
I attribute a lot of my skin issues to my past. This is really self-diagnosed, BUT, I believe that a lifetime (18+ years) of poor nutrition, harsh antibiotics given to me by so many dermatologists to “treat” my breakouts, an influx of hormones due to too many different birth control pills prescribed by doctors to “treat” my hormonal imbalances, paired with my bad habits of picking my face and using strong, oil-stripping face washes, led me to where I was when I started this blog: a complete hormonal mess, addicted to sugar, with bad skin.
I’ve spent the past three years working to reverse this damage through a change in my diet, a change in my skin care routine, and a complete elimination of foreign toxins.
Diet
I don’t know why they don’t tell you this when you’re growing up, but food directly impacts how you feel. It’s a simple concept, and yet, I don’t remember one doctor or one teacher ever telling me this. Why? Why was the only option, EVER, to take some pill? Not once, was I ever encouraged to change my eating habits, never mind asked what my eating habits even were. They were sugar. And cheese. And bread, by the way. No vegetables. No vitamins. No organic anything. I believe my breakouts were/are directly impacted by the ingestion of dairy, (which if not raw and unpasteurized, is filled with hormones) as well as sugar (which completely controls and destroys my mood). When I first started eating Paleo, I thought I could follow the 80/20 rule, as encouraged by many practicing Paleo nutritionists. However, this is no weight loss game for me. This is purely about making my skin and moods better and ultimately, living a long and healthy life. So for me, I feel very strongly that only 100% Paleo will work for my needs. And not for 30 days. Not for 45 days. Forever. This is a hard reality, but one I’m willing to accept. I also take fish oil everyday and vitamin D drops in the winter to promote healthy skin and balanced hormones.
Cleansing
The last part of my clear-skin-care formula is the actual treatment and care of the skin. Growing up, this was actually the only aspect I thought about when I thought about breaking out: of course, I just need more products. I need more face washes. More spot treatments. More sun! More masks. More toners. New moisturizer! Different makeup! Scrubbier scrubs! I mean, this went on and on and on. I can’t even tell you how much money I have invested in the skin care industry, but probably 40 billion dollars.
It was so frustrating that some friends didn’t even use face wash and had normal, GLOWING, skin. I admit, I completely over did it. I was young, unsupervised, and had my own money, so of course, it went straight into the consumption of shit-to-put-on-my-face-that-would-ultimately-ruin-my-face, face stuff.
Now I follow the Oil Cleansing Method, a completely organic, natural, non-invasive, non-stripping skin care method that I began in August, which you can read about here. I still follow this every single day. I still stand by it.
James makes fun of me because everything on my bathroom vanity could easily be used in the kitchen. I use olive oil and castor oil as my face wash, raw honey to spot treat, apple cider vinegar as a toner and jojoba oil as my moisturizer. But it works. For me. Bottom line. My skin is not perfect. I still have scarring. I still get random zits. I still use foundation. But it’s changed. I’ve changed.
I can’t speak on behalf of anyone else, but I’ll tell you this: Paleo has positively impacted my life, in every aspect. When I give it 100%, I find it gives that right back to me, and then some. From my skin and hair to my mood and happiness, to the way I am in relationships with James, family, friends and myself. I hope this answered your questions, but more than that, I hope it inspires you to really take the time to pay attention to whatever it is that ails you.
As always, your advice for Lindsay, your personal stories and your encouraging comments are welcome!
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Jenna
21 comments :
I agree – since I started eating Paleo my skin has gotten better and everytime I “Cheat” I seem to break out… wonder why?
Thanks Jenna!
I know you’ve had tremendous success from Paleo with your mood and skin, and perhaps I’m the odd-man out here, but, despite never having a history of bad acne, since Kyle and I started our 6 week challenge three weeks ago in preparation for our wedding bods, my skin is at an all time “shitty”! not to mention my bitch mood swings! I can’t say this is directly correlated with the fact that we’re eating 100% paleo right now (I’m SURE it’s all the stress I’m just now becoming aware of that wedding planning has created), but regardless it’s not helping it subside! I have 3 cysts on my face right now and so much rage i hardly know what to do with myself. I’m not on my period and I’m not pregnant. So while I’m really glad it’s helped you so much, and I know it helps others in this way, I figure I might as well add it hasn’t been my experience. Then again, it could just be my ragey hormones talking…
OH! I should mention that whenever I begin a new paleo cleanse, my skin goes through a detox-period and I break out before it gets better. It’s almost like all the good food nutrients are pushing out all the bad food nutrients to make room (I’m SO SCIENTIFIC) Not sure if this is the case for you – or just stress, but it could be that. Either way, I’ve never seen you with anything less than flawless skin, so maybe you were poisoned.
@cupcakes when I planned our wedding [I would say "we" but haaa, we know that aint true] I magically became a really disgusting beast. Skin, hair, mood, everything. There was only a few months to plan [we don't really do long engagements in my family] AND my mum put her back out right before I started wedding planning. So basically everything was a complete clusterfuck, especially me. I believe that I am one of those people who’s stress manifests within their own body so it sort of makes sense. Plus, getting married is a complete mental battle as well. As lovey as you are and as wonderful as it all will inevitably be, this is a huge, huge life decision that will no doubt cause stress.
I also have a theory that it’s God trying to protect men – ie: are you SURE you want to commit to this bridezilla forever? Yes? Just checking.
i second all of this. i had acne starting in 5th grade. once I STARTED PALEO MY ACNE FINALLY STARTED TO CALM DOWN (AFTER TWO ROUNDS OF ACCUTANE). I STILL GET ACNE AROUND MY NECK, CHIN AND SIDES OF FACE occasionally, WHICH I KNOW ARE FROM DAIRY AND SUGAR. SPECIFICALLY MY ADDICTION TO DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPS. WHEN I STARTED JUICING ABOUT A MONTH AGO I THINK THIS HELPED MY SKIN AS WELL, THE SIDES OF MY FACE LOOK ALOT CLEARER. NOW IF I COULD FIND A CURE FOR UNDEREYE BAGS. MINE do not go away.
whoa to my CAPS. I dont know what happened!
We have far too much in common. I actually will be emailing
hope all is
You soon with a few thoughts/ questions
Well!
I second everything in this post. My skin has never been happier than since I started paleo and oil cleansing. I, too, get break outs when I do a detox, but they are short-lived.
Ironically my skin seems a little gnarly lately since revisiting Paleo… But it may
Not be related. I do feel a ton happier– which I just blogged about– and now you’ve got me wondering if paleo is somehow linked.
I can´t write in capital letters here for whatever reason?!
Jenna,
I think this might be the most spot-on post I ever read about the correlation between diet, hormones, sugar and skin appearance.
I´ve been on the pill for years because of bad skin. It wasn´t so much about (cystic) acne per se but breakouts especially on the jawline which is typical for hormonal imbalance.
Anyways. due to other health problems I got off the pill a few months ago. since that time I gained weight, my skin turned crazy (not only in my face, also my chest and back) and I haven´t had my period in 3 months. the doctors just told me to get on the pill again….. i mean this can´t be the solution, right?!
I discovered “It starts with food” and “I quit sugar” and got off sugar very recently. I do want to do paleo but to be perfectly honest i don´t really know where to start.
it is so much to consider. do you still eat potatoes or are carbs generally off limits, i feel like different pale-experts have different opinions on that!
I feel you on the skin care habits. same over here. i heard bout the vinegar toner and want to try it myself! don´t know if the oil works for me as i do have oily skin already.
thanks for posting this!
xo Martie
dairy is just like, breakout juice for me. still trying to find a good cleansing routine, though! i’ll have to check out the oil cleansing method.
I have to 100% agree with all of this, and chime in to reassure @cupcakesomg that wedding planning is enough to make anyone’s body just decide to quit functioning. I think anyone who’s following paleo (even if not completely) is helping to reduce the stress associated with that event, but…it’s hard! Just because it’s a great thing to do for your body doesn’t make it easier to say no to everything the world’s constantly trying to shove down your throat. Self-regulation/denial in any form is rough while you’re trying to balance other stresses. It’s worth it, though! Hang in there.
I feel everyone’s pain with the acne/breakouts/cysts. Especially cysts. I had my first acne cyst when I was about twelve, and they continued into my adulthood until, well, two weeks ago. But my cystic breakouts are few and far between now. Discovering the link between my gluten intolerance and the inflammation it causes in every part of the body almost immediately calmed my skin. In addition to diet, etc, that has already been covered in today’s post and comments, I would add one more thing. Be aware of your hair products, too. Hairline breakouts are frequently linked to getting rich shampoos and conditioners on your skin when you are washing your hair. And the same holds true for styling products, especially anything you spray, such as shine products or hairspray. As for treating those cysts once they appear, dab a super tiny amount of cortisone cream right on the spot four or five times a day, and you will frequently see them clear up in less than a week without the lingering red discoloration that can last for months.
everything in this post makes so much sense. It was forever until I realized a connection between healthy eating and how I felt and how my skin looked. When i was younger, i just bought product after product after product. But by treating your body right with vegetables and fruits and all of the good stuff, your skin just looks phenomenal. and you feel a million times better. i need to look into this paleo thing – i’ve heard a little bit about it, and after reading this i’m really interested in it now.
Great post! And kudos for putting up that picture. I can relate to it. Adult acne is so disheartening.
I really like this post…ps don’t ever stop being scientific please
Completely identify with your skincare/acne frustrations; like you, and someone else voiced in a comment, dairy (+sugar) = breakout juice. When I consistently eat Paleo (and by consistently, I mean 99-100% ) my skin GLOWS. Paleo is a miracle for my skin, and I am a lifelong acne sufferer. Just as an example, a couple weeks ago, my skin was the best it’s ever been, THEN I started my new job at Starbucks, and in barista training, sampled each latte I learned how to make… PRESTO the worst breakout in a freaking year. I don’t love making myself do those Whole30’s…because let’s face it, I’m as a big a fan of soy chais/dark chocolate/red wine/cheddar cheese etc. as the next girl, but hey, I’m desperate here! It makes me sad to leave my house with my face looking like this (OH HEY THERE, VANITY) and um, life keeps trucking despite my breakout situation. Anyway.
Quick questions about OCM! TERRIFIED to try this. I actually went out and bought grapeseed oil and castor oil, but can’t bring myself to try it, for fear my breakout will get way super worse…. Should I be scared? Are you sure the OCM doesn’t break you out?
Hey Olivia, thanks for your detailed comment!! You couldn’t have named my favorite things in a better order: chais, chocolate, cheese, red wine, yes! All of it.
I am 100% confident that the OCM doesn’t make ME breakout. I’d hate to be the person that told you to do it and it made YOU break out. You will have to decide for yourself to try or not try. I don’t use grapeseed oil either, I use olive oil, so again, it will be different for you than it is for me. I read about 100 testimonials before I tried and all had good reviews.
Yeah, I am the same way! I read the reviews on makeupalley before I buy ANY new products! I decided to try honey cleansing…will keep you posted on the results!
I’m very happy my dermatologist recommended Citrus Clear products – it’s the thing that has cleared up my skin. I’ve been struggling with fairly mild but annoying acne for several years. I’ve tried many scrubs and washes. Some, like St. Ives, were too harsh. I actually found that medicated ones made my skin worse. I started using this because my dermatologist said it was all natural and worked, and my skin is almost completely cleared up! The washes aren’t too harsh and the formula is mild, so it doesn’t dry out my skin. However, it’s strong enough to exfoliate and clear out my pores.
I have combination skin that is dry but oily in the T-zone. It’s very sensitive, but this wash has been great.
Hey thanks for such a detailed article,
Very clear advice for me to follow so one day I can clear my skin up!