What is a pimple?

A pimple is formed when oil is blocked inside a hair follicle by surface skin cells. Acne bacteria breed in this perfect climate, which irritates the follicle, causing the redness and swelling we all know and hate. Scientists have increasingly come to the conclusion that the best approach is to treat the problem from within.

The 'good' foods

• Omega-3 fats (in salmon, oily fish, flaxseed oil and walnuts) counter inflammation. Combined with avocados, seeds and nuts, they help skin to build and repair cell membranes, maintain cellular processes and counteract dryness.


• Good protein (from fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, tofu) is also important.


• The healthy choices. Almonds, apples, artichokes, asparagus, barley, beans, bean sprouts, berries, bok choy, brazil nuts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cherries, chickpeas, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, fish and shellfish, flaxseed, greenpeppers, hazelnuts, honeydew melon, kale, kidney beans, lentils, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, oatmeal, oats, olive oil, olives, oysters, pears, pecans, pomegranate, pumpkin seeds, red bell peppers, romaine lettuce, salmon, snow peas, soy products, spinach, sunflower seeds, sweet melon, tomatoes, turkey, turnips, watercress, yogurt.


• Water, of course. Either still mineral water or purified tap water, at least one-and-a-half litres a day.


• Green tea - although it has a small amount of caffeine, its super-antioxidant polyphenols make it a great drink for skin.


• Mint - If you suffer from hormonal acne, studies have shown that spearmint tea or juice can help. Always Healthy Living in a feature on how to use mint leaves for acne give you all the gen on what it does as well as some tips on how to make some yummy mint drinks. The bonus? Its anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also make it great for DIY face masks.

The 'bad' foods

• Inflammation-inducing foods to avoid. Breads and biscuits, bananas, cake, cereals, chips, corn, cornstarch, corn syrup, cream cheese, doughnuts, dried fruit, fizzy drinks, flour, fried food, fruit juices, granola, hard cheese (except Parmesan), honey, hot dogs, ice cream, frozen yogurt, jam, jelly, preserves, mango, margarine, molasses, muffins, noodles, pancakes, papaya, pasta, pastry, peas, pizza, popcorn, potatoes, pudding, relish, rice, snack food, sorbets, sugar, sweets, tacos, tortillas, waffles.


• Cut out coffee! At least while you're sorting out your body, and then try to avoid it as much as possible afterwards. Besides triggering inflammation (showing up as dark circles, puffiness, reactive skin), it contains a number of organic acids that affect blood sugar and cortisol (the 'stress' hormone) levels.
  
  This is not due to the caffeine, says Perricone, 'For example, you can drink a cup of decaffeinated coffee at 8am, and your cortisol levels will still be measurable at 10pm - the same if you had drunk regular coffee.'