Here’s the truth about all those serums, those creams, those sheet masks you love: They won’t change your skin for the better if the problem is internal. And here’s something I’ve come to accept (well, mostly): Some people just have good genes. Some people can eat whatever they want, sleep in their makeup, use St. Ives Apricot Scrub, and still forgo foundation in lieu of their naturally flawless skin.

I am not one of those people, and since you’re here, I’m guessing you aren’t either. My skin problem du jour is acne—that the aforementioned creams, serums, etc. have helped, but not totally solved. According to experts I spoke with, the reason might be because all those products are just a coverup for the real problem—your diet.

“Food plays a huge role in your skin’s health. Skin is the largest organ in the body and can reflect the health of what’s going on inside your body. Skin functions in part to protect the organs on the inside, so, maintaining external skin health is just as important as staying healthy internally,” says Keri Glassman, nutritionist and founder of Nutritious Life.