is this normal? i've never really had a problem with acne until now. how long will this last and what do you suggest to alleviate the symptoms? thanks!

(day 7 of atkins)

this might be an issue for you now - call your dermatologist. This happened to me the first time I did Atkins and I don't remember how long it lasted. Now, I use Proactive face products and have not had a any break outs.

Most likely it is the impurties/dextoxing of your skin from eating low carbs. It shouldn't last forever. Make sure you clean your face well, and rinse well! My favorite acne meds (I've always suffered from it) is L'Oreal's Pure Zone. Great stuff!

Are you having any other problems? I have a sensitivity to arachidonic acid (found in fat of meat and especially egg yolks) that causes skin problems for me as well as problems for my nails. I ate a ton of bacon and eggs and developed problems that I had NEVEr experienced before.

Also, if you're eating more bacon, sausage, and other kinds of meat like that that has nitrates and nitrites, you could have a sensitivity to that. You can buy it without those things.

The biggest reason I can think of for breaking out is not drinking enough water. Could this be a possibility??? It's imperative that you drink much more than you're probably used to. Also, taking supplements, especially b-complex helps with breakouts - my dermatologist told me about that...are you doing recommended supplements??

Other food sensitivities when you start ingesting more than usual, dairy and eggs come to mind.

Hope your skin clears up. Hang in there!
Jinx

I agree, it might be the toxins coming out through your pores. I would suggest a really mild cleanser if you don't already use one. If it has BP in it, make sure it is not too much, otherwise it will cause you to break out more.

Also, a lot of people say that their skin seems to get greasy because they are eating greasy food. I personally think it is from cooking the greasy food. I sometimes feel sticky of greasy after frying up a batch of bacon.

Wee

hmm, let's see:

not enough water?
- i drink a minimum of 4 16.9 oz bottles a day and more if i can

any other problems?
- not that i've noticed, just the break outs

nitrates?
- when i first started the diet, i was eating bacon (the first day or so) but i quit when i learned about nitrates. i now eat nitrate free sausage

possible food sensitivities?
- i have been eating a lot of eggs. before i started this diet, i *never* had eggs. perhaps they are the culprit?

just to clarify, the break outs aren't bad - just a bit on my chin only. but they are buggers. if it is the eggs, i think i will just deal with it for now and buy some medicine as they are really helping me curb my appetite. maybe when i am ready to move to phase 2, i will cut down on the eggs.

thanks for all the replies.

Supposedly fish oil caps (I take 4000 mg per day) help with food sensitivities, too.

Proactiv is the best thing in the WORLD for acne

I am living proof.

Most likely it's just the typical detoxing breakout. More water would help, but it will probably clear up in a couple of weeks. Have you started an exercise regimen recently? Anything that revs up your circulation can cause breakouts because your skin is working overtime.

Yes I too went through a phase just like you are, I use OXY5 cleanser, but I really think it just went away on it's own. I kind of beleive its the Toxin's clearing out of our systems. It seemed to last for about 3 weeks.

Just stick to it.
Cheers Kathy

I am with katgurl Proactiv is GREAT! I had the same problem about the first week or so and my face naturally cleared up. Now my skin feels good. The first week it was really gross and oily feeling.

i have been doing vigorous workouts 5 days a week at the gym since august of 2002 - well before i began the atkins diet.

After about 6 weeks on Atkins my face cleared up for the first time in over 25 years - the poor widdle nasty facial bacteria weren't enjoying their ketone feast after all those years of glucose.

Needless to say, I was in heaven.

I've had one or two problems since then, but NOTHING like before.

I have only experienced wonderful side effects with my skin. My face has cleared up so much! I'm on day 14 and intend on continuing on induction for a bit longer. I started noticing an improvement of my face complexion after the 1st week. I hope you will have the same great results also.