Treating Acne from the Inside-Out- Larisa Lehmer M.D.

Food Rules
Plants ONLY – NO animal products. Stick with it!
Whole food, i.e., non-processed, as if you harvested it yourself. If purchased in a bag, there is ONE ingredient listed.
NO added oil, nuts, or seeds until your skin clears. These may be added back slowly based on your skin’s tolerance.
Center your meals on unrefined starches: potatoes, yams, beans, rice, pasta, corn, and other whole-grains (oatmeal, quinoa, etc.).
Include lots of orange-yellow and cruciferous vegetables, whole fruits, and berries.
Reduce caffeine as this can dry and irritate skin at a time it is trying to heal.
Drink plenty of water: 8-10 eight-oz glasses daily.
Barberries and up to 2 cups of green tea have been shown to be especially beneficial.
Skin Care
AM
Wash with a gentle cleanser (e.g.., McNeillMD Antioxidant or Alumier Purifying Gel)
Pat skin dry with a clean towel used only on the face
Antioxidant (i.e., McNeill MD Daily Antioxidant Cream or Alumier Ever-Active C&E)
Non-comedogenic sunscreen (e.g., Prior Tetra, Elta MD UV-Clear, Alumier Sheer Hydration)
PM
Wash with a gentle cleanser as above
Pat skin dry with a clean towel used only on the face
Retinoid (discuss which is most appropriate for you with your Dermatologist)
Non-comedogenic moisturizer (i.e., McNeillMD Face Quencher or Night Cream)
To cover-up breakouts (after AM skincare routine)
Non-comedogenic primer (e.g., Smashbox Reduce Redness, green-tinted).
Non-comedogenic oil-free concealer (if needed).
Non-comedogenic, oil-free makeup (e.g., Jane Iredale, IT Cosmetics, Bare Minerals).
Remember to clean your brushes daily and shampoo them weekly.
Scar Treatment
After your acne has calmed-down and you are no longer getting active breakouts is the best time to address the scars that are left behind. It is best to have a consultation tailored to your skin needs as recommended treatments vary by scar-type. Some common procedures for acne scars include: microneedling, CO2 laser resurfacing, laser treatment of redness, focused surgical subcision, and chemical peels.
Recommended Resources
Get started with some delicious and nutritious recipes:
ForksOverKnives.com: https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/
I highly recommend the smartphone App for easy access while in the kitchen (phone stays-on when the recipe is up) and for ease in creating shopping lists.
You can even search by ingredient!
Get smart and understand the evidence behind how your healthy diet is helping everything from your skin to your bones with NutritionFacts.org: https://nutritionfacts.org/
No adds!
Not-for-profit, so no industry-bias.
Helps distinguish “claims” from facts.
Get inspired with some great documentaries available on Netflix:
“The Game Changers” – High athletic performance on a plant-based diet.
“What the Health”
“Forks Over Knives”
Recommended Reading:
The Clear Skin Diet: The Six Week Program for Beautiful Skin.
By: Nina & Randa Nelson, forward by John McDougall, MD
The China Study: Revised and Expanded Edition: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health. By: T. Colin Campbell, PhD & Thomas M. Campbell, II., MD.
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically-Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure. By: Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., MD
How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease.
By: Michael Greger, MD
Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession with Meat Is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It.
By: Garth Davis, MD
Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs. By: Neal Barnard, MD
The McDougall Quick and Easy Cookbook: Over 300 Delicious Low-Fat Recipes You Can Prepare in Fifteen Minutes or Less. By: John McDougall, MD & Mary McDougall
Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss.
By: Joel Fuhrman, MD