Your experience with persistent pimples suggests a combination of factors including hormonal imbalances, digestive health, and specific dietary influences, which Ayurveda recognizes as interconnected. Given your observations about breakouts getting worse before your periods, this does indicate a possible hormonal influence, particularly fluctuations related to pitta dosha, which governs heat and metabolism. To address your concerns holistically, we can work on balancing your doshas, improving digestion, and implementing beneficial dietary changes. Start by modifying your diet. Reduce or eliminate dairy and spicy foods, as they can aggravate pitta and lead to skin issues. Opt for a more cooling and calming diet that includes foods like cucumbers, leafy greens, gourd vegetables, and sweet fruits like bananas and pears. Consider incorporating warm, cooked foods, which are easier to digest. Coffee can increase pitta and may contribute to breakouts, so try reducing your intake or replacing it with herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile. To enhance digestion, take a pinch of fennel or cumin with warm water 30 minutes before meals. This can help remove toxins (ama) and improve your overall digestion, a key factor in Ayurvedic skin health. Along with dietary changes, include daily practices that support detoxification, such as drinking warm water with lemon in the morning and practicing mindfulness or yoga to reduce stress, which also impacts hormonal balance. For external treatment, consider using a paste of sandalwood powder mixed with rose water as a soothing mask to apply twice a week. This can help calm inflammation and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Aloe vera gel can also be applied to your skin daily to promote healing and hydration. To heal dark spots, foods rich in antioxidants can be very beneficial, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts. Turmeric is excellent for its anti-inflammatory properties, and you can consume it in food or as a herbal tea. For a comprehensive approach, consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner who can provide personalized herbs that help balance hormones and clear your skin from the inside. Herbs such as Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Gotu Kola can be beneficial for hormonal balance and skin health. All these strategies should be gradually incorporated into your routine, allowing your body to adapt naturally, thus supporting not just symptom relief, but deeper healing.