When conventional treatments arent working, its time to consider not just the magic elixirs that youre putting on your face but also whats going on in your diet and daily life. Ahead, some tips from Jeanette Jacknin, MD, a San Diegobased dermatologist who approaches treatment from a holistic perspective.

Sorry to break it to you, but everything youve heard about quitting dairy and sweets for better skin is legit, Dr. Jacknin notes. She also says to avoid fried food, soda, alcohol, and anything else youd consider junk. A Mediterranean or whole foodsbased diet, with a lot of fresh vegetables and fish like salmon, is ideal, she says. Several studies show low-glycemic-load diets improve acne.

Theres no one-size-fits-all method for calming down and cutting stress, so Dr. Jacknin works with her patients to see what gets them in their Zen zone. Is it a HIIT class with your friends? A solo hike in nature? A morning meditation sesh? Find your outlet, but know that adequate sleep, regular exercise, and speaking to a mental health professional are pretty much a 10/10 across the board.

Dr. Jacknin combines botanical actives and Rx ones, depending on severity and preference. More intense cases may require a prescription, but on milder spots, she suggests applying 5 percent tea tree oila natural antibacterialtwice a day. Also clutch? Ingredients like green tea and resveratrol (an antioxidant found in grape skin), which are known to reduce inflammation. Try Este Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intense Reset Concentrate ($80, esteelauder.com).

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This article originally appeared in the March 2020 issue of Women's Health.

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How Your Diet And Self-Care Habits Affect Your Skin, From A Derm - Women's Health