check out this quick guide to navigating your holiday meals to stay on track and fresh faced during the holiday season! remember that there are two different types of acne, inflamed and non-inflamed and either or both can be triggered by acne promoting foods. these start out the same way a tiny microscopic plug in the skin. we call this plug an acne seed. these little guys can quickly get inflamed and turn into the red spots that can sometimes be sore and almost look like a mosquito bite. these can pop up a few days after eating an offending food. non-inflamed acne takes 1-3 months to show up on the surface of the skin. this is the time it takes for that little seed to grow into a bump that hangs out under the skin or turns in to a blackhead. this means that the pumpkin pie that you eat on thanksgiving may not show up as acne until new years eve. what a bummer! so to ensure clear skin up to and through the new year, choose these acne safe alternatives during this fun and festive time of year. TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FOODS THAT CONTAIN DAIRY pies contain butter in their crust and can contain sweetened condensed milk + heavy cream in their fillings (especially in pumpkin and pecan pies). instead ask if you can bring desert as your contribution to the meal! check out these paleo pumpkin pie and clean eating pecan pie recipes. or just need a quick bite of something sweet? try to find a dried piece of fruit on a cheese tray, or fresh fruit or a square of dark chocolate instead. easy! if you absolutely have to have something with dairy we think whipped cream is the safest option and here's why; yes it's cows' milk but mostly air, so not as much dairy you'd consume if you were, say eating ice cream or cheesecake. still not recommended if you want your best chance for your clearest skin though.

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mashed potatoes are traditionally made with lots of butter and heavy cream. instead ask your host ahead of time to take some of the boiled potatoes out of the pan before adding butter and cream. add a little salt and pepper and mash your own bowl sans dairy! or how about roasted potatoes, a nice grainy bread or rice? or my personal favorites: roasted turnips (sub ghee for the butter) or roasted radishes - super yum! or bring your own acne safe mashed cauliflower and turn your friends and family on to this delicious low carb dish.

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green bean casserole can be made with butter, cream, and sometimes canned soups (like cream of mushroom) that contain dairy and soy. instead skip the cassarole or ask your host to set aside some cooked green beans before they casserole them. you can also offer to bring a delicious paleo version that will be sure to please all of the foodies at the table.

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gravy can contain cream, butter and white flour. instead skip it or ask your host to set aside some turkey drippings for you before they add the thickeners. this recipe uses coconut milk and potato starch to make the worlds best paleo gravy. our very own emily raves about this one which she made last year when her husband was still vegan. she says it was BOMB, even better than regular gravy if that's possible.

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bread usually contains dairy when made from scratch and can also contain soy if store bought. instead offer to bake the dinner rolls using this amazing dairy free recipe, this paleo recipe, or pick up a loaf at a local bakery where they can tell you which varieties are dairy free. or impress everyone with these low carb keto buns. switch out the butter for ghee which is butter with the milk solids removed. ghee is a very anti-inflammatory fat and a step up from butter in acne safetyness.

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salad dressing can contain dairy in the form of cream and cheese or soy as soy bean oil or soy lecithin. instead enjoy your salad without the dressing or make a simple vinaigrette like any of these. so what if you can't avoid eating these foods? your host is persistent that you try their lovingly prepared holiday offerings and you are absolutely starving and there are no alternatives in sight...(pause, deep breath, big sigh)....then OK, you can just have a literal bite. try sharing a non-safe food with someone if you really can't avoid it altogether. or try eating around the obvious acne foes and discreetly throw the leftover cheese, sauce or tofurkey away. what are some of your favorite holiday recipes? share them with us on instagram @skinsalvationacneclinic