The sebaceous glands of our skin produce oil that is secreted on to our skin’s surface to act as protection. The quality of this oil is determined by the food we eat which in turn provides the raw material for the sebaceous glands to produce their oil.

Some foods contain fats that are thick and sticky, resulting in oil that is also thick, sticky and more likely to block our pores. These same foods often contain free fatty acids that irritate and inflame the skin when secreted onto its surface. It is important to be aware of these foods if you would like to achieve healthy, beautiful skin.

Meat Fat, Mince, Sausages,  Chips,  Fried Fatty Foods ,  Mayonnaise,  Peanut Butter,  Cheese ,  Chocolate,  Milo,  Nougat,  Fudge,  Full Cream Milk,  Cream,  Cream-based Desserts,  Ice Cream,  Cheese Cake.

Other foods have a heating effect on the skin. These foods make acne worse by making your skin redder and increasing any inflammation present.

Oranges,  Orange Juice ,  Strawberries ,  Chocolate,  Chili,  Hot Spices,  Curries,  Wasabi,  Alcohol,  Very Hot Drinks,  Coffee,  Caffeine.

Cakes, biscuits and bread made from refined carbohydrates like white flour offer you very little nutritionally.  They also contain little or no fibre so they can easily clog up your digestive system.  When I was young my mother used to make a very good glue for me out of white flour and water!  Considering this can you imagine what white flour does to your bowels?

Refined carbohydrates also deplete your body of valuable B vitamins that help prevent our pores clogging.  You are far better to eat the wholegrain versions of foods like wholegrain breads, brown rice and nuts & seed slices.

Cold pressed, organic safflower oil is a wonderful food for all skin problems especially acne.  Safflower oil is the richest natural source of Omega 6 we know of.  Oils high in Omega 6 are less inclined to aggregate or stick together due to the fact that the molecules repel each other making it more inclined to disperse or remain fluid.  This means that if the oil that your oil glands produce is rich in Omega 6 it will easily find its way up the through your pores and out onto the skins surface, preventing congestion and even helping to dissolve existing blockages.  This is just what you need if you suffer from acne.

Be aware that safflower oil is very heat and light sensitive.   It should always be purchased in a brown glass bottle and once opened, stored in the fridge. 

An adult benefits from approximately 1 dessertspoon of Safflower Oil a day (1 tsp for a child).  Cold pressed Safflower Oil should only be eaten raw and never used to cook with or added to piping hot food. 

Safflower oil must also be emulsified and eaten with food in order for it to be absorbed by our body; the following recipes are ideal ways in which this can be achieved.

An increase in B Complex foods is recommended in conjunction to taking Safflower Oil as this aids in correct absorption and is vital in regulating the skin’s natural oil flow (prevents congested skin). 
Sources: leafy greens, nuts, whole grains & milk.

Blender Drink
1/2 quantity of yoghurt, rice milk, soy milk or skim/trim milk
1/2 quantity of apple or pineapple juice
1 banana
Honey to taste (optional)
A pinch of brewer’s yeast
1 dsp of Safflower Oil (1 tsp for children)
Place all the ingredients in a blender to mix.

French Dressing
Equal portions of cold pressed Safflower Oil and apple cider vinegar
Honey, garlic, whole grain mustard
Curry powder or herbs (optional)
This dressing can be used on salads, cooked vegetables, and pasta or to spice up tomato juice.