I was shocked to come across a study done to see what effect caloric intake has on skin oils. What was shocking to me was not only that scientists would see fit to conduct such a study, but also that, well, there would actually be a noticeable effect. Participants involved with the study were obese patients who had decided to either stop eating or drastically reduce their eating for a period of 4 to 8 weeks. Each and every one of the patients studied showed a reduction in sebum production! The amount of skin oils being produced began to decrease in some in 1 week, but most saw the reduction only after a month of this intense food deprivation routine. The combined average was a 40% decrease overall. Sebum control is a big concern for many acne sufferers. With sebum being a big trigger for the condition, many people with oily skin try all sorts of sebum control strategies to try and help the clarity of their skin. Some of them work, some of them don’t. This study must have been conducted in the late 60s (since it was published in early 1970). There have been quite a few shifts in thinking and approaches to healing since then (a prime example is to point out the fact that this was a day and age where shock therapy was still being used). In doing this writeup, I’m aware that some readers may be tempted to try the caloric reduction approach to sebum control. That was not the intention though. The intention instead was to point out that, even though something may be seen as an aid to skin issues (acne, skin oils, etc.), it doesn’t necessarily mean that attempting its use is worth it. Be safe in your approaches please. There are a lot of extreme tactics out there but again, just because you may hear of people seeing results in their skin doesn’t mean that it is safe for the skin – or even for the whole body actually. When in doubt (or when trying out something that is a major change) it makes sense to consult a doctor about its safety first. With these things said, it would be great to hear of your own experiences. What “out there” approaches have you all heard about? Do chime in to help others avoid the bad.     Image credit: jbcurio

Related posts:

1. Natural Green Tea Helps Acne Too
2. Gentle Makeup Removal Tips for Acne Prone Skin
3. The Solution for Acne – Moisturizer for Acne Skin
4. Natural Licorice May Have Benefits For Skin