They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but does that trick apply to dermatologists too? What are the ways to keep our skin young? A nutrient-rich diet has proven effective for maintaining our health, so it’s only natural to consider how food may affect acne.
Thanks to their plentiful antioxidants and vitamin content, fruits can provide valuable nutrients to promote healthy, glowing skin.
So before you jot down your grocery list, let’s look at some of the best fruits that help with acne. By discovering quality fruit-infused skincare today, you can help keep acne breakouts at bay.

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Stone Fruits
Antioxidants actively fight against free radicals that may cause skin irritation or acne production [1]. Therefore, you’re giving your healthy skin a fighting chance against harmful irritants by opting for fruits rich in antioxidants.
Stone fruits not only contain antioxidants, but they also have anti-inflammatory properties [2], making them a desirable pick to hinder breakouts.
The term ‘stone fruit’ refers to fruits with stones (or pits) in the middle. Some examples would include:
- Peaches
- Plums
- Nectarines
- Cherries
- Apricots
With an antioxidant-rich diet on your plate, there’s a chance you’ll see some improvement in your acne levels. Take it a step further by finding complementary skincare products that protect against free radical damage.
Pumpkins
While it’s tempting to slice up your pumpkin into a spooky jack-o-lantern, you may want to consider implementing it into your diet instead. Finally—a reason to extend pumpkin spice season.
Pumpkins contain a suite of nutrients that can lead to improved and clearer skin, including:
- Zinc – With its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate oil [3], zinc remains an integral ingredient for dermatologists—and you can find it in any pumpkin. Zinc can also help protect against UV damage, making it an essential element for sunscreen or moisturizers [4].
- Vitamin E – Every pumpkin has plenty of vitamin E. With a product rich in vitamin E, you could fight against inflammation and protect your skin cells from free radicals in one swoop [5].
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids – Pumpkins contain alpha hydroxy acids, a particular type of acid that helps exfoliate skin and improve overall texture. Many skincare products use alpha hydroxy acid to help with skin smoothing, repairing wrinkles, and restoring a balanced pH in the skin [6].
If you’re not in the mood for a slice of pumpkin pie, don’t sweat it. You can capture the power of pumpkin with a daily moisturizer with SPF that contains both zinc and vitamin E.
Pomegranates
A lot goes into maintaining healthy skin. When you want more than just acne prevention, pomegranates can provide an additional boost of skin rejuvenation.
While pomegranates contain an impressive amount of antioxidants, they also boast anti-aging properties to keep your skin feeling soft and youthful [7]. Pomegranates achieve this feat by [8]:
- Lessening free radical damage and pigmentation
- Regenerating skin cells
- Boosting the production of collagen
- Deeply hydrating skin
You can’t go wrong with pomegranate for a superfruit that does it all. Why not discover the difference yourself? A facial cleanser infused with pomegranate extract can target discoloration and hydration. Take our Skin Health Quiz today to create your custom PROVEN skincare formula.
Vitamin C-Rich Fruits
Lemons, limes, grapefruits, and berries are all rich in vitamin C. What else do they have in common? They could help protect your clear skin from severe acne and external damage.
Vitamin C remains a popular ingredient for dermatologists as it aids with inflammation, skin brightening, and oil production [9]. In addition, vitamin C for wrinkles, pigmentation, and UV damage is great because it can decrease the appearance of these concerns [10].
When you combine vitamin C's healing effects and protective properties, you've got a trusty ally in your pursuit of acne-free living. Start your journey with a night cream imbued with vitamin C and give your clear skin something to look forward to.
Foods to Avoid
Introducing healthy, nutrient-dense fruit into your diet may spark a positive impact for your acne-prone skin. However, the pendulum can swing both ways. Making sure to cut back on food linked to increased acne breakouts can help you achieve your ideal skin.
Though diet recommendations may vary depending on the individual, some food to be wary of may include:
- High-glycemic foods – Foods with a low-glycemic score (such as fruits, vegetables, lentils, and beans ) are favorable for acne prevention [11], as they don’t typically cause large spikes in blood sugar. Avoid sugary high-glycemic foods (like white rice, white bread, or potatoes) to decrease inflammation and sebum production [12].
- Dairy – While dairy certainly doesn't solely cause severe acne, many studies consider it to be an irritant. Evidence suggests that cow's milk releases breakout-inducing hormones [13]. The sugary lactose present in cow’s milk could also contribute to increased acne [14].
- Reactive foods – Inflammation can be a significant contributing factor to acne. Therefore, you may want to avoid eating food that you know may cause allergic reactions or digestive issues for you.
PROVEN Skincare: The Cream of the Crop
Everyone knows that a well-rounded diet can maintain our body's health and wellness. But now that you know how much fruit can keep acne at bay, you may feel eager to get your fruit fix straight away.
At PROVEN Skincare, we're ready to help.
Fulfill your specific skincare needs with personalized products made just for you. Equipped with the same invigorating ingredients as fresh fruit, our carefully formulated products are designed to target any personal concerns you may have. Whether you're after protection, prevention, or rejuvenation, put your trust in PROVEN Skincare.