Going Gluten Free, Acne, and Things We Don't Discuss

So, there's some things we don't talk much about here on Lovely, and personal health is one of them...but why have a blog if you can't impart information which has helped you to others who may need the help, right? For many years I've had acne and skin problems. Probably since I was 16 or 17, I had minor breakouts, then through the years they got worse and worse. I worked out, I ate well (I gave up sugar in college and my skin got worse...I was devastated.) I went to the dermatologist who put me on an antibiotic to "clear up the breakout," as well as topical creams. They helped. Sure. However, when I went back to the Dr. and asked how long I'd have to be on these meds, he said, "well, probably forever." Uh, no thanks. So, I dealt with it: I used benzoyl peroxide creams (and ruined the majority of my clothing, sheets, pillow cases, and blankets. And no, I'm not even close to kidding. The stuff stains everything), I used face washes, I over-dryed my skin...it was a mess. When we got engaged I went back to the (same) Dr. and he put me on an antibiotic and topical cream, again. I accepted it, and honestly was on the antibiotic for months. Was my skin clear for my wedding? Almost. I think, due to stress, my skin broke out slightly, and I had a pimple on my chin. 

That's not the point though, the point is that I was sick of being on chemicals which stained my clothes, I was sick of panicking about my skin...and honestly, I got to a point where I felt like the only 27 year old woman in the world dealing with it. I don't like to douse my face in makeup (and it hurts to put makeup on with a face full of acne!), and I would stand there in front of the mirror before work just crying to Eric about how I looked and felt like a total freak. I felt so alone! I mean, I think because we woman can cover up our acne, we just don't discuss it much! 

So, what did I do? I took to Facebook and put out a call for help. A friend from college suggested two things which helped immensely: The Clear Skin Diet Book and Tea Tree Oil. I should buy stock in Tea Tree Oil. Seriously. It's helped clear up my skin a ton. (I put a layer of TTO, followed by a topical Vitamin E, and then sensitive skin moisturizer (Neutrogena) every night and morning). 

However, I had this bad habit on the side and it was called, "Eat Crazy Healthy Monday-Friday and Totally Binge on Carbs on Saturday and Sunday." Not okay. I would wake up on Monday mornings feeling horrible, horrible. One Monday morning I woke up and noticed my, what-had-been-healing-skin, was atrocious looking, and I had what felt like giant pimples, or even hives, all along my jawline, neck, and...my forehead. That was weird. I've always been a chin-acne person, and all of the sudden my whole face was broken out. I knew something wasn't right. So, I took to Twitter. I put out a question: "does anyone know of any relationship between gluten intolerance and acne?" Well, Ms. Amanda Catherine responded and said she had dealt with a connection between the two and giving up gluten helped her skin a ton. A-ha! 

So, what did I do? I did a lot of research. I googled until I couldn't google anymore, and I saw that indeed there was a direct connection between gluten, hormones, and the skin. So...I decided to give up gluten. To be fair, I didn't eat much to start with, but giving up my oatmeal was tough (I can buy GF oatmeal, but I haven't yet), and having to double check ingredients was certainly eye-opening. Low and behold, my skin did indeed start to clear up. Was I perfect? Not at all. When Eric's parents were here I indulged in a lot of gluten, and know what? Pimples all over my forehead. I wouldn't always advise self-experimentation, but in this case, I've tried both ways, and I can tell you, there's a difference for sure. 

My skin isn't perfect yet, but I can tell you, it's getting there. It's a horrible feeling to not want to look in the mirror, or touch your skin. We need to talk about things like this! When I asked other people on Facebook for help, a ton of awesome, beautiful, smart women responded that they had these issues too...help each other out, because sometimes something as commonplace as having acne can make even the most lovely of women feel so alone. 

Do you eat gluten? Have you ever had acne? What do you do for your skin?