Acne - Natural Remedies

Natural Resources to Treat Acne

Author: Edward F. Group III, D.C., Ph.D, N.D.,CCN, DACBN

The skin is the largest organ of the body and helps the liver, kidneys, intestines and lungs eliminate waste products. Whatever your state of health is internally, your skin reflects it. Being that it is an organ, it also can heal itself. As such you can rid your face and body of acne. But not by prescribed medications or over-the-counter drugs. No, I’m talking about by using natural resources. Earlier, I mentioned how acne was formed. Oil mixed with dead skin cells. However, if your body was in balance, your skin would be in such a state that the oil glands would not have to do their job? And don’t think that eating chocolate or greasy foods caused acne, because that is just a myth. The best way to control or prevent acne is by watching your diet. If you eat the right foods, and use the right resources, you would have clear-looking skin all your life.

1.       Fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Increase your diet with a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. If you don’t want to eat them out right, you can mix them with other foods to make them more palatable. Make a salad along with your main meal. Also snack on nuts and dried fruits. Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds are fantastic for acne because they contain selenium (Brazils) and zinc (pumpkin seeds).

2.       Water
Doctors are always recommending drinking up to eight to 10 / 16 once glasses of water every day. Try to drink at least two liters of still mineral water. If the skin becomes dehydrated, dead skin cells are not effectively eliminated, which can lead to blocked pores and further acne.

3.       Lay off the antibiotics
Antibiotics, believe it or not, cause more problems then what their worth. They destroy the bacteria in your digestive system, which can lead to poor digestion, constipation and reduced absorption of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients. This in turn leads to more acne because your body isn't able to get rid of waste effectively and toxins get expelled via the skin instead.

• constipation

So if you are taking them – talk to your doctor about stopping now, unless you absolutely, positively, have to take them. Instead of taking antibiotics, eat foods which help re-establish the good bacteria in the gut — these include honey, onions, artichokes and bananas. By eating these types of foods you are helping your system restore the levels of beneficial bacteria that are destroyed by antibiotics. You can also use a product called Latero-Flora available through health-products.

4.       Supplements
In your everyday life it is not possible to get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs to function correctly. This includes your skin. You may eat all the right foods, but because of previous eating habits, or drug taking, you may not be absorbing everything you eat. This is why supplements were invented. They are found to be useful to those with acne. See end of article for all suggestions

5.       Use only natural products on your skin
Stay away from over-the-counter and prescribed skin care products. These products contain chemicals and preservatives that can aggravate acne-prone skin. They literally strip the skin's natural oils. When this happens the skin will produce more oil to compensate — in turn causing more blocked pores and acne! Instead use products that contain natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, which is known for its antibacterial properties. The best way to deal with acne infected skin is by using as few products as possible so your skin gets a chance to heal on its own. If you wear make-up, buy formulas that are non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking).

6.       Reduce stress
Stress happens to be one of the biggest causes of acne, especially beyond puberty. If you control stress, you can reduce the release of the stress hormone cortisol, and therefore reduce the severity of the acne. If you find you suffer from stress on a regular basis, there are steps you can take to reduce stress and become more relaxed:

o        Exercise -- especially Yoga, Pilates and T'ai Chi. By exercising you increase blood flow to the skin and aid healing. But you also improve the health of your internal organs enabling them to get rid of waste more effectively.

o        Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and meditation.  

7.       Reduce your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Eating refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, rice, flour etc) and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1. This in turn leads to an excess of male hormones, which encourage the skin to excrete large amounts of sebum. This grease-like substance encourages the growth of bacteria responsible for acne.

8.       Reduce your intake of caffeine.
Caffeine increases the levels of stress hormones in the body and can aggravate acne. Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate and other stimulant containing drinks.

9.       Reduce your intake of dairy and red meat.
Did you know that dairy products and meat are hard to digest, and form acid in the body? Remember, your internal health is reflected by your skin. If you eat too much animal protein, your body won't get rid of waste products effectively, and they will be released via the skin as acne. Dairy and red meat also contain high levels of hormones which can result in more acne. Many people can’t consume dairy products do in part to being allergic to it.

10.    Sunshine and fresh air.
You may not believe this, but the best form of natural healing, other than water, is good ole sunshine. Yes sunshine stimulates the creation of vitamin D in the body — an essential vitamin for healthy skin. A little bit of fresh air and sunshine every day will also reduce stress and increase oxygen to the skin. Even when it's overcast, the sun's rays reach us, so take a 10 minute walk outside every day.

More natural resource tips found right in your home:

1.       Blend a cucumber, apply externally, leave on for 20 minutes, then wash off.

2.       Rub watermelon rind on the acne.

3.       Apply Aloe Vera.

4.       Eat watermelon or drink watermelon juice.

5.       Drink tea made from carrots including the tops and beet tops.

6.       Drink lukewarm water with 2 teaspoons of honey every morning on an empty stomach. This effectively lubricates the intestines. If one does not evacuate the intestines regularly, the toxins either end up in the liver or come out in the skin.  

You may want to try the following Homeopathics, Essential Oils or Herbs

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