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.
Here are a few pointers and
suggestions on what to do to keep acne away:
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. 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:
• 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.
• 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 Homeopathic, Essential Oils
or Herbs:
~Belladonna— for people who experience flushes of heat to the face or
who have inflamed pustular acne that improves with cold applications
~Calendula— for skin conditions involving pustules or blisters
~Hepar sulphur— for painful, pus-filled acne
~ Kali bromatum— for deep acne, especially on the forehead, in persons
who are chilled and nervous ~ Silicea— for pustules or pit-forming acne
~ Chaste Tree Berry taken each morning can help prevent premenstrual
breakouts.
~ Lavender or Tea Tree Essential Oil can be applied directly to the
blemish up to 3x daily.
Acne
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