A nutritious, well-balanced diet is very important for the health of the skin. The Chinese believe that acne is tied to inefficient and incomplete digestion, which results in toxic metabolites that show up on the skin.

Additives:
Eliminate foods containing additives and preservatives. These chemicals contribute to the amount of toxins in the body. Avoid alcohol, sodas, chocolate, fried foods, and refined sugar. Each of these contributes to an acidic internal environment, which fosters the development of acne.

Fats:
Limit all animal fats and hydrogenated oils for at least one or two months. This category includes dairy products, margarine, fatty red meats, unskinned poultry, and all fried foods. This step alone can sometimes result in a dramatic improvement. Eat three healthy meals daily to provide important nutrients and to decrease the appetite for sugary or greasy fried foods.

A clean diet:
The cleaner and simpler the diet, the more quickly the skin will heal. A skin-healthy diet emphasizes raw and lightly cooked vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables that contain valuable trace minerals and are rich in fibre. The menu should include lean protein sources and complex carbohydrates, such as rice, whole-grain bread, potatoes, and legumes (legumes may be omitted if they cause a digestive problem). These fibre-rich foods help ensure a clean gastrointestinal tract, which is especially important in the management of acne.

Water is the most important catalyst in keeping skin clean and the body healthy

Water:
Drink plenty of filtered or spring water every day to help flush toxins from the body. Water is the most important catalyst in keeping skin clean and the body healthy. We lose approximately 2.5 litres of water per day - through the skin - it must be replaced. The human body is totally dependent on water. Don't undervalue this remarkable substance.