How A Vegan Diet Benefits Your Skin

Sufferers of acne or neurodermatitis often report that their skin improves after changing to a plant-based diet. But is a vegan lifestyle really that magic cure for spots - and if so, why?

Benefits of a vegan diet for the skin:

• Fewer clogged pores
• Clearer skin
• Smoother complexion
• Well-balanced skin - not too dry or oily
• Symptoms of acne, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis can be reduced

The main culprit: milk and dairy products

It is now well known that milk and dairy products have a bad effect on the skin. Hormones and inflammatory substances worsen the skin's appearance and residues of, for example, antibiotics in meat do the rest. But saturated fats, an excess of carbohydrates, and sugar can also have a negative effect.

Many people report that their skin improves only a few weeks after eliminating dairy products from their diet.

Foods you should avoid if you have blemished skin:

• Animal milk & dairy products
• Meat
• Eggs
• White flour products
• Refined sugar
• Convenience foods
• Processed foods
• Refined carbohydrates such as in pasta, sugar, and bread

When switching to a vegan lifestyle, make sure to eat a balanced diet and do a little research on the nutrition your body needs.

Refined carbohydrates like pasta, sugar, or bread are not a good way to beat cravings: they cause insulin levels to spike, which increases sebum production and can manifest as increased pimples and blackheads.

Processed foods are never good for you - not even vegan substitutes. These can make life easier for you in the short term, but it's better to reach for plant-based protein sources right away, such as legumes.

You can find more nutrition tips for beautiful skin here.

Vegan foods for clearer skin:

• Green tea
• Nuts
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Flax oil
• Lots of vegetables & fruit
• Bitter foods (rocket, chicory, radicchio, etc.)

A healthy gut is also reflected in good skin health so fermented food can also be of great benefit.

Try it yourself

If you suffer from acne or another inflammatory skin condition, we recommend that you try avoiding the above-mentioned culprits, especially cow's milk and dairy products, for several weeks in a row. And if you want to do your bit for the animal kingdom try avoiding animal products altogether.

Your skin benefits from substances that are only found in plants. Vegans automatically eat more vegetables, green leafy vegetables, and fruit, meaning that their body gets more antioxidants.

But remember: there's no need to be perfectionist. Don't stress yourself out and don't set your goals too high at first. The only exception here is milk because even small amounts can have a big effect on your complexion.