z(it) happens / diet lifestyle
Diet & Lifestyle
PCOS, Acne, and Acceptance: Real Talk From the banu Community
When your skin keeps breaking out, your period feels unpredictable, or your body is sending signals that just don’t add up, PCOS could be part of the picture. Affecting about 1 in 10 people with ovaries, it’s super common in our community — yet still overlooked far too often. And if you’ve ever researched the best skincare for PCOS acne (you're not alone here), you already know how confusing and overwhelming the answers can sometimes be. The signs don’t always look the same for everyone: irregular or missing periods, higher testosterone levels, ovarian cysts (though not always), blood sugar or insulin resistance, and acne that just won’t seem to clear. The important thing to remember? You don’t need to check every box to be living with PCOS.
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PCOS, Acne, and Acceptance: Real Talk From the banu Community
When your skin keeps breaking out, your period feels unpredictable, or your body is sending signals that just don’t add up, PCOS could be part of the picture. Affecting about 1 in 10 people with ovaries, it’s super common in our community — yet still overlooked far too often. And if you’ve ever researched the best skincare for PCOS acne (you're not alone here), you already know how confusing and overwhelming the answers can sometimes be. The signs don’t always look the same for everyone: irregular or missing periods, higher testosterone levels, ovarian cysts (though not always), blood sugar or insulin resistance, and acne that just won’t seem to clear. The important thing to remember? You don’t need to check every box to be living with PCOS.
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Easy Acne-Friendly Swaps You Can Make in Your Kitchen
Let’s get one thing clear: food doesn’t cause acne. But your diet can absolutely influence it—especially if you’re already prone to breakouts. Research shows that certain ingredients (especially high-glycemic carbs and dairy) may worsen acne by affecting hormones, oil production, and inflammation. The good news? You don’t have to give up all your favorite foods to see clearer skin. Just a few thoughtful swaps, all of which are part of a healthy diet, can make a real difference over time. These acne-friendly food swaps are designed to reduce triggers—not joy.
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Clear Skin Starts Within: Hormone-Friendly Habits for Breakout-Prone Skin
If your breakouts show up like clockwork before your period, cluster around your chin or jaw, or get worse when you're stressed or sleep-deprived, there's a good chance hormones are involved. And while prescription treatments can be helpful, they’re not the only option. Disclaimer: These tips can help regulate hormones naturally, but they aren’t a substitute for medical care. If you suspect an underlying hormonal condition like PCOS, always consult a healthcare provider or board-certified dermatologist.
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Latest Blog Posts
“Eventually, I realized the hard truth: there’s no real industry standard for what makes a product acne-safe”
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read moreDiet & Lifestyle
PCOS, Acne, and Acceptance: Real Talk From the banu Community
When your skin keeps breaking out, your period feels unpredictable, or your body is sending signals that just don’t add up, PCOS could be part of the picture. Affecting about 1 in 10 people with ovaries, it’s super common in our community — yet still overlooked far too often. And if you’ve ever researched the best skincare for PCOS acne (you're not alone here), you already know how confusing and overwhelming the answers can sometimes be. The signs don’t always look the same for everyone: irregular or missing periods, higher testosterone levels, ovarian cysts (though not always), blood sugar or insulin resistance, and acne that just won’t seem to clear. The important thing to remember? You don’t need to check every box to be living with PCOS.
-
read moreDiet & Lifestyle
Easy Acne-Friendly Swaps You Can Make in Your Kitchen
Let’s get one thing clear: food doesn’t cause acne. But your diet can absolutely influence it—especially if you’re already prone to breakouts. Research shows that certain ingredients (especially high-glycemic carbs and dairy) may worsen acne by affecting hormones, oil production, and inflammation. The good news? You don’t have to give up all your favorite foods to see clearer skin. Just a few thoughtful swaps, all of which are part of a healthy diet, can make a real difference over time. These acne-friendly food swaps are designed to reduce triggers—not joy.
-
read moreDiet & Lifestyle
Clear Skin Starts Within: Hormone-Friendly Habits for Breakout-Prone Skin
If your breakouts show up like clockwork before your period, cluster around your chin or jaw, or get worse when you're stressed or sleep-deprived, there's a good chance hormones are involved. And while prescription treatments can be helpful, they’re not the only option. Disclaimer: These tips can help regulate hormones naturally, but they aren’t a substitute for medical care. If you suspect an underlying hormonal condition like PCOS, always consult a healthcare provider or board-certified dermatologist.
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read moreDiet & Lifestyle
Snack Smarter, Glow Harder: Food Swaps for Breakout-Prone Skin
No, food alone won’t cause or cure acne. But if you’ve noticed a connection between what’s on your plate and what’s on your face, you’re probably right. Certain foods can mess with hormones, spike inflammation, and crank up oil production — basically, a recipe for breakouts. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire menu. A few easy swaps can help keep your skin happy and your meals delicious. Here are some skin-friendly ones to start with.
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ReadAcne 101
Face Mapping: What Your Breakouts Are Trying to Tell You
If you've ever wondered why it's always your chin, or your forehead, or those same two cheek spots — you're not alone. Face mapping can offer a bit of clarity. Face mapping is an ancient skin-reading practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It connects the location of your acne to what's going on internally. Is it exact science? No. But it can be a useful check-in tool when you're navigating your skin journey. Let’s get into what face mapping can (and can’t) tell you—starting with the usual suspects: forehead acne, cheek acne, nose acne, and jawline acne.
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read moreAcne 101
PCOS and Acne: Here’s What’s Actually Going On
If your breakouts feel deeper, more painful, and always seem to land around your jawline or chin, there’s a chance it’s more than just your products. For a lot of people, acne is one of the first signs that something internal is off. And one of the biggest culprits? PCOS, aka polycystic ovary syndrome. Let’s break it down.
