There’s nothing more embarrassing than having to deal with facial blemishes. Though many have the misconception that blemishes and acne only happen to teenagers, the fact is that more than 20% of all women in their 20s and 30s suffer from some sort of facial imperfection, including acne. Blemishes, break outs, and acne can be caused  by stress, fluctuating hormones, and diet. If you want to improve your skin, here are 15 foods that are known to promote clear skin.

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Kale

Kale is seriously a super vegetable. The leafy green is full of manganese, iron, potassium, protein, folate, phosphorus, and various vitamins including A, B, C, E, and K. With all of these vitamins and minerals together, kale isn’t only good for you, it’s an ideal food for clear skin. Try eating kale chips or boiling it.

You asked, and Dr. Dina D. Strachan, MD has answered. This board-certified dermatologist is a graduate of Harvard and Yale and currently holds a faculty appointment at NYU.  We recently asked readers to submit their skincare questions for Dr. Strachan. Check out her responses to questions about foot corns and hormonal acne.

I have a corn in one of my toes which is lighter than my toe with a dark circle. How do I get rid of it or at least make the skin even on that toe?

Corns are caused by pressure on the skin.  Corns often appear on the feet.  Shoes that are too tight, not supportive enough, or high heels can cause corns.  Hammer toes, which are deformed toes which bend in the middle and rub up against the tops of closed shoes, can also cause corns.  In people with brown skin the corn may have discoloration (dark and light) in response to inflammation caused by the friction.  If you are getting corns with discoloration, they are probably on the tops of your feet and caused by hammer toes.  Covering the affected skin with bandages or corn pads can help protect it from the friction that causes the corn and discoloration and over time, if the skin is protected, the corn and the color changes should resolve.  If hammer toes are severe it is best to see a podiatrist as surgery may be required. As for the discoloration, bleaching cream can be helpful for the dark area but there is no treatment for the lighter area other than protecting the skin so that it can heal and the normal color can come back.
What over the counter products are available for combating hormonal acne?

Acne is caused by a variety of factors, hormonal changes being one of them.  Although the over-the-counter ingredients available to treat acne, usually benzoyl peroxide, salicyclic acid or glycolic acid, can help, if one is trying to specifically address the hormonal causes, usually an oral, prescription medciation is required.  The birth control pill and spironolactone are best usually the choice for this type of acne.

Have a question for Dr. Strachan. Email us at editors_at_madamenoire.com with the subject “Skincare Question” or Facebook us. 

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You asked, and Dr. Dina D. Strachan, MD has answered. This board-certified dermatologist is a graduate of Harvard and Yale and currently holds a faculty appointment at NYU.  We recently asked readers to submit their skincare questions for Dr. Strachan. Check out her responses to questions about acne, dark spots and under eye circles.

1) I have been recently having issue’s with acne? This is new for me because my skin is normally clear. What can I do to prevent his from happening and remove the dark spots the bumps are leaving on my face?

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that often affects a person for the first time in adulthood. Genetic and hormonal factors are the primary causes. There is also some evidence to suggest that stress and a high-glycemic diet may also be triggers. In people with dark skin, acne lesions may leave behind brown spots that take many months to heal. Severe acne can also result in true scarring with depressed and raised lesions on the skin. There are different types of acne lesions and a number of precription medications and treatments. The best thing to do if you suffer from acne is to get evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist who can pick the best treatments and procedures for you.

2) I’m starting a natural treatment of apple cider vinegar on my skin for hyperpigmentation. Doest that really work?

There appears to be a lot of buzz about this as an effective home remedy for hyperpigmentation. I am unaware of any studies. It certainly might work. It probably results in some mild exfoliation which removes excess pigment.

3) Are there internal remedies for undereye circles -something to help stop the leaky capillaries?

I am unaware of any internal remedies for undereye circles. These circles can be challenging to treat as they have a variety of causes. Some people have truly darker skin under their eyes. This may be genetic or the result of rubbing the eyes from allergies. Some people have thin skin, or thinning of the eyelid skin as a results of aging, with increased visibilty of the blood vessels. We also lose volume in our cheeks and around our eyes and have hollowing of the body part of the eye sockets resulting in shadows. These are the reasons why it’s hard to find an treatment for this problem that works for everyone.

Have a question for Dr. Strachan. Email us at editors_at_madamenoire.com with the subject “Skincare Question” or Facebook us. 

Black women aren’t exactly busting down the doors of their local dermatologist’s office. But maybe we should. Instead of relying on fruitless skin care practices passed down from generation to generation, try talking to a professional. Your dermatologist may have a solution to that burning question you’ve always had about the largest organ in your body: your skin.