QUESTION: Has anyone developed acne starting Keto?

newbies
(Ashley Haddock) #15

I’ve heard of many people having acne appear in the early stages of their keto journey. Whether it be from the body “detoxing” or regulating hormones I’m not sure. Maybe both. But the ones I know who have experienced that said it cleared up fairly quickly and their skin is better than ever.

As a side note, I had horrible acne from the time I was 11 or 12 until I was in my early to mid-twenties. Thankfully mine did not come back when I started keto, though I do still get the occasional pimple during certain times in my cycle.

(eat more) #16

food doesn’t look overly dairyfied to me.
i agree with @kyz about the “snack” and the fruits. cottage cheese can be insulinogenic because of the milk sugars.
the goal is to clear insulin and it may not be cleared from lunch when you have the post lunch snack and creates more…
i think it’s definitely too soon to try fasting but i’d try coconut oil and/or butter in your coffee…it’s good :slight_smile:

are you tracking your intake?

(Jess Paul) #17

Cool!! I didn’t know the post-snack was a problem, but your explanation makes sense. I was trying to space out my food like I would normally do from other heathy habit advice.

I am not tracking my macros yet or anything. I wanted to gradually start the diet without stressing too much, though I was weary that I was probably eating too much fruit. I’ve been considering starting to track using an app I heard about from Jason Wittrock, can’t remember the name at the moment.

Any other advice about tracking or foods to add/exclude?

#18

I would track first and then adjust as needed. How few carbs will depend on how insulin resistant you are, but most keep them below 20g a day. I myself have decided to eat no fruits and very few veggies until I’m a little closer to my goal, but that’s a personal choice given my situation. It sounds like you’re off to a great start. Research “keto flu” and “keto rash” so you can power through them. Once you’re past the carb withdrawals, you’ll feel amazing and energetic.

#19

Several people here recommend fat secret tracking app. I use my fitness pal and have gone into the settings to adjust my macros. Plus I ignore any warnings it gives and just evaluate the nutrition data at the end of the day.

(eat more) #20

i personally don’t like My Fitness Pal which is what i think jason wittrock has mentioned.
i like fatsecret because it allows you to track net carbs (mfp doesn’t have that option and you have to do the maths)
not everyone tracks but i think it is helpful to at least start out doing so just to get an idea of what your day really looks like and troubleshoot if necessary…but don’t stress over it or feel that you HAVE to meet your macros.
keep your carbs under your limit, make sure you are getting enough fat and food overall, don’t bother with calories or deficits. eat when you are hungry. keep electrolytes proper. (keto is diuretic so you need a higher intake of minerals) easy peasy right? :blush:

carbs 20g
protein .8-1g per pound of LBM (lean body mass)
fat “the rest”

#21

My homeopath says that the body detoxes by pushing things out through your skin to protect your organs.

(Jaidann) #22

@WhoAteMyPsyche went where I was thinking. I believe the Keto Talk podcast covered this in one of their episodes. A listeners acne was getting worse instead of better. I am straining to remember the details but Dr. Nally mentioned how impurities come out of the skin and something about Keratin? (spell check). Might want to give that particular episode a listen. I think it was this one, Keto Talk Episode 52.

Hope it helps!

(Jen ) #23

Hi @prueslove!

I’m 3.5 weeks into Keto and my cystic acne is worse than it’s ever been in my life. :confused:

Acne history: on antibiotics and topical gel from 15-19- came off for 2 pregnancies. Never restarted prescription meds specifically for acne- although I was on oral birth control until I was 30; which helped a lot.

Present: my face is exploding, ha. I don’t get a period anymore due to an IUD. My face just always hurts… I’m using a prescription strength Benzoyl Peroxide acne wash. (Allergic to salicylic acid.) I have always had terrible blackheads but there’s no change there, just the giant cysts popping up (mainly on my nose & chin/jawline).

I know this thread is old but I’m wondering if your acne resolves itself or if you sought treatment. I’d be grateful if you could share your story.

Macros: <20g/carbs/day. Dairy intake about the same since before I started Keto- I am eating more cheese than previously but nothing new or worth noting. I am eating way more FAT than I ever have in my life.

Help, please!

(Monica) #24

I’m no expert so obviously take my comments with a grain of salt, but here is my experience with Cystic acne.
It started just after I turned 30 and not eating keto but counting calories, working out a lot, and losing weight, it was almost always on my chin, and I would get 4 or 5 at once, not counting those that hadn’t healed. I was in SO MUCH PAIN! I finally broke down and went to see a dermatologist. Got a long term prescription for a strong antibiotic, an expensive 3 step face cleaning regimen and regular visit for draining, treatments and peels. The antibiotics healed the existing cysts (which likely also had something to do with the professional draining), the face wash was a pain in the butt (long process 2 times a day) and I didn’t see a real difference in any of the other skin issues I had (dry skin, blackheads, and a bit of rosacea). And I had HORRIBLE reactions to the chemical peels, burning,redness, and dragon scale like peeling skin for weeks. So of course I took matters into my own hands, I actually completely stopped washing my face, switched to a Mineral based powder foundation that I tried not to use every day. After the end of my antibiotics, and not seeing the derm anymore, the cystic acne stopped.
I can’t explain any of the above, but my guess is only that I had some underlying bacterial infection and a hormonal change due to my age and losing weight (since it was mostly on my chin, a hormonal region. I have read that excess estrogen can be stored in fat)
Fast forward to 2017, I had been eating mostly keto for almost a year, no change in my skin due to diet change or weight loss during this year (go figure), Stopped eating Keto in June, and bam, cystic acne back in full force! WTF?! All over again, trying everything (except changing my diet) gaining weight, more types of acne showing up, dry skin, just a mess, and frustrated at 33 years old and suffering from acne! Spending a TON on face washes, masks, toners, spot treatments, blah blah blah to no avail.
So now I’m back on keto, 2 weeks in, making sure I get adequate healthy fats, taking a zinc supplement, drinking more water, aaaaaannndd…
I’ve read a lot recently about the natural oil barrier our skin create, washing with soaps can destroy this barrier and mess with the natural PH balance of our skin.
So since FAT is doing such wonderful things INSIDE my body, perhaps it can do the same for the outside. I’ve researched OCM, Oil Cleansing Method, and have settled on washing my face with an Organic Virgin Pumpkin Seed Oil, Steam washing this off with very warm water and a microfiber cloth, and applying a Rose Hip OIl as a moisturizer. So far, my skin look absolutely AMAZING! Slowly healing 2 cysts that are still around from before but so far, no more.
In conclusion, lol,

  1. I believe the cystic acne is DIRECTLY related to hormones, Estrogen dominance in particular, which is naturally adjusted in Keto- That being said, I also eliminated ALL DAIRY AND SOY from my diet, as they both can affect estrogen.
  2. Oil Cleansing, done right, is definitely something worth looking into. It has helped me though I am not 100% certain that it has directly affected the cystic acne.
    WOW, that was long winded, but I know what an awful experience this can be and wanted to help as much as I could!!
#25

I get zits every time I eat dairy, without fail. I think for me the dairy, combined with the fact that I’m post-menopausal, causes the zits. On the flip side, my skin overall is smoother and glowing.

(Consensus is Politics) #26

Just a thought, and maybe its been talked about already. Is it possible that eating more animal fats and proteins could cause acne, if… If the animals being eaten were given steroidal hormones to get them ‘beefed’ up? I understand the desire for some to go with grass fed beef, or free range chickens, just to avoid such situations. But can those hormones affect them that eat it? Free range or organic anything is nothing I’ve ever worried about before.

#27

I didn’t have cystic acne, but acne and eczema and psoriasis was brutal when I first went keto, and got worse with the rashes.

Long story short, this didn’t clear up until I 90% cut out SPLENDA. I kid you not… detoxing from that crap almost zapped everything I had. It’s hard to get away from it totally, but short of it being hidden, I’d say I’m at least 95% clear of the stuff.

#28

I wonder about that also.

(VLC.MD) #29

It could be a factor.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/868156

Only use full fat milk.

(Jen ) #31

Thank you so much for your reply!!

I’m allergic to 97% of acne meds on the market, either prescription or OTC.

I actually implemented oil cleansing myself a couple of weeks ago. I still have a ton of blackheads (I’ll probably have them forever- they don’t hurt so whatever!) and occasional zits, but the cystic acne flares have decreased significantly. I have 3 (healing) cysts at the moment, when a month ago I had 10+!

I also switched up my skincare to the brand Boscia- I use their moisturizer and I stopped wearing foundation and started using their BB Cream instead. I feel like my face is “breathing” now instead of slathered under primer, concealer, foundation, and powder.

I HAVE noticed that my acne flares when my daughters have their period (I don’t get one); I believe there is definitely a hormonal aspect as well.

Thanks again for the reply!
Jen

(Jen ) #32

Do you think that “lots of dairy” could cause acne flares even if you consumed “lots of dairy” before beginning Keto?

I eat a lot of cheese, butter, sour cream, & HWC. Prior to Keto I ate all of the above (except HWC) daily, plus cow’s milk three times a day. I now only drink almond/cashew milk (unsweetened of course).

My opinion on my dairy intake is that it is the same or less than it was before this WOE.

I hope this doesn’t sound rude, I’m truly interested in your thoughts! :blush:
Jen

(VLC.MD) #33

Hard to know for sure but it could.
Try a month no dairy if the acne is important to you.

(Ashley Sarmany) #34

I get a big ol zit every time I eat ANY Keto sweets… doesn’t seem to matter the sweetener I use either. I had a Keto cookie 3 days ago, and boom! A mother of a zit popped up on my upper lip. Do you eat lots of Keto sweets?

(Jen ) #35

Hi Ashley,
I do have whipped cream from HWC in place of ice cream a few times a week. I sweeten it with Splenda (the only sweetener I can tolerate) but I haven’t noticed any correlation between Keto sweets & acne.