Acne affects an estimated 17 million people in the US with eight out of 10 preteens being affected. But before investing in a lot of expensive treatments and prescriptions give natural home remedies and dietary changes a try. You’ll be surprised at the results.
Acne Home Remedy
One simple, free, and easy home remedy for acne is to spend a few minutes every day in the sun. The goal is not to tan your skin but to allow the sun to naturally kill the bacteria that causes acne. The sun also helps to dry up the sebum oil which helps to cause acne. Natural sunshine is also the best way to get vitamin D.
Cleanse and moisturize the skin twice a day. During the cleansing process excess oil, atmospheric pollutants, sweat, dirt, and other impurities that adhere to the skin are removed. Cleansing should always be followed by a moisturizing treatment or the skin will be stimulated to overproduce oil. There are several recipes that can be used to make cleanser; have fun experimenting until you find your favorite.
Exfoliation is the process of removing layers of dead skin cells from the skin. A simple exfoliating technique is to mix raw oatmeal with water and then wash the face in an upward and outward motion. Rinse with clean water.
Essential oils such as tea tree oil, bergamot oil or lavender oil can be mixed with grapeseed or coconut oil and applied to the skin at night. These essential oils have antibacterial properties as well as soothing properties for the skin. Bergamot oil also has natural drying properties.
Acne Diets
Getting enough water is a vital part of helping your body to prevent acne by eliminating toxins in your system. Ideally you should consume half of your body weight in ounces of water. For example, a person who weighs 120 pounds should drink 60 ounces of water a day. Drinks like coffee, soda, and alcohol actually dehydrate the body making it harder for skin to remain healthy.
Skin is continually naturally renewing itself. As the older layers die and flake off, new skin comes to the surface. These new skin cells are made from the building blocks your body receives from the food you eat. Obviously a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke are not going to give your body the same building materials as broccoli, kale, carrots, blueberries, raspberries, mangoes or oranges.
Adding a homemade fresh fruit and vegetable smoothie to your meals is a simple way to get your body the minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants it needs to build smooth healthy skin. In a blender, put a banana and some water to create a base, and then add your favorite flavors like pineapple, mango, and blackberry, cherry or peach. Add some dark leafy greens like kale, chard or spinach. Experiment with different combinations so that you are enjoying the flavor of your drink. Remember to use fresh or frozen fruits whenever possible. For best results avoid foods that are high in fat, high in sodium, or high in sugar.
Acne Treatment
Treating acne is an ongoing process. Often once an individual’s skin has cleared up it is easy to go back to unhealthy habits like infrequent facial cleansing or pore dietary choices. Good regular skincare, drinking the appropriate amount of water, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help your skin have and maintain that healthy glow.
Jamie Hobbs - Jamie Hobbs has been working as a freelance writer since 2008. Graduating with a BA of Education in 1998, Jamie went on to become a ...
