While acne has long been a problem for adolescents, in recent decades—the last fifty years specifically—acne has been on the rise among adults as well, particularly among women. Many scientists have traced this upsurge to changed in the dietary habits of North Americans. The Clear Skin Diet is designed to help those who suffer from acne to understand what it is, why they have it, what it has to do with their eating habits, and what they can do to prevent it or lessen its impact.

Research has shown that there is a strong causal connection between certain kinds of foods and acne. It also shows that certain fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, protect against acne, while others, saturated or trans fats, can promote acne by increasing the leavel of inflammation and oxidative stress in the skin. On the other hand, culinary herbs like ginger and turmeric are known to dampen acne breakouts.

These same dietary stresses also influence the level of the hormones that cause acne. While fruits and vegetables, green tea, soy, fish, berries, and fiber-rich whole foods lessen these androgens, meat and milk promote these acne-related hormones, as do sugar and low-fiber carbohydrates.

There also is a strong connection between the brain and the skin. When a person experiences anxiety and depression, acne-producing hormones are released, which can lead to poor dietary choices high in saturated fats and sugars.

Most important, The Clear Skin Diet introduces the acne diet and lifestyle. Dietary requirements for protecting the skin are listed—along with suggested food supplements when they cannot be easily met—and summarized, as well as mind-body medical interventions that can influence acne hormones and lessen their impact. A careful look at the traditional Japanese diet shows that essentially it is the anti-acne diet.

Most interesting are the fifty acne-preventive recipes that are provided, along with information on how one can locate the ingredients that are not readily available in most grocery stores.