Acne

Acne Overview

Acne is a condition that has affected almost everybody at some point in their life, mainly in adolescence. It can be brought on by a number of factors including, but not limited to: diet, stress, medication, and poor colon health. Pimples are formed when oil and dead cells get trapped in a pore and become inflamed. This blockage occurs when there is a high production of keratin and sebum in the skin. High testosterone levels will increase this production, so acne is most common in males during puberty. There are two forms of acne – superficial acne and cystic acne. Acne can occur in the form of whiteheads or blackheads or a red inflammation. They occur predominantly on the face, but can appear on the back, chest, and shoulders.

There are many ways to combat acne. There are over the counter medications you can purchase, but there are side effects. Most of the medications use benzoyl peroxide. You have to use it daily and it causes dry skin, redness, and peeling. Another ointment is tretinoin, which is the most often used acne medication. It acts to improve acne by chemically burning the skin. There are other options. Antibiotics are also an option, but excessive use could lead to candidiasis. Nutrition can be both a preventative technique as well as a therapeutic technique in combating acne. The best way to treat acne is the natural way through diet and acne home remedies.

Dietary Suggestions

There are a few ways you may want to change your diet that will help diminish your acne. You should really limit food with a high fat content. Instead, find food that has a high protein content. A high protein diet will help by lowering testosterone conversion.

As for salt and sugar – some people have a sensitivity to iodine. So iodized salt should be avoided, as it will aggravate acne. Try sea salt instead! Anything with concentrated or refined sugars should be limited in the diet. There are many healthy sugar substitutes that will not cause a flare up of acne. Try Stevia or Xylitol, or just unrefined sugars.

Some foods should be avoided all together. Milk, milk products, margarine and shortening all contain trans-fatty acids, which are very bad for the skin. Milk drinking should be limited also because of its high hormone content. They should be avoided as much as possible. Try soaking some almonds overnight and then blending them up for some fresh almond milk. You can also add some vanilla or cinnamon to add in some flavor. Also, any fried oils should be avoided.

There are also certain vitamins and minerals that can be implemented into the diet that will aide in getting rid of acne. They include Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

Vitamin A is needed for the health of our outer skin and our body’s inner lining. It reduces sebum production and keratin build up, so acne will be less frequent. You can take Vitamin A in supplement form, although it is not recommended for women pregnant or nursing. In changing your diet, you can add some foods that are rich in Vitamin A. Such foods include sweet potatos, carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, broccoli, apricots, winter squash, peaches, asparagus, kale, spinach, and tomato juice.

Vitamin E helps with the function and protection of Vitamin A in the body. It interacts with selenium, which is an important antioxidant trace mineral who’s enzyme function prevents acne inflammation. Food sources for Vitamin E include dry soy beans, dry lima beans, what germ oil, soybean oil, corn oil, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pecans, and fresh raw spinach. Vitamin E is also available in supplement form.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy skin. It helps Vitamin A function properly. Zinc properly metabolizes testosterone, so there is no build up. Maintaining optimal zinc levels is the best way to treat acne. It also promotes wound healing, immune system activities, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration. Seafood is an excellent source for zinc. You can also get zinc from lambchops, pork, whole wheat grains, root vegetables, and nuts.

A supplement of Vitamin B6 is recommended for women who experience PMS. It will help with controlling acne caused by PMS disorder. Also, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B5, helps fat metabolize. High doses can help dimish acne with no side effects.

Home Remedies: Acne

There are many home remedies for acne you can try. If you just want to stay away from harsh medications, just look for a topical treatment that is based in tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has good skin penetration, but will not irritate the skin at all. It contains antiseptic and antifungal properties, making it the ideal topical treatment for acne. Another topical treatment you can try, which you can find at your local health foods store, is Bentonite Clay. It is a mask treatment that will work wonders. I have Bentonite Detox, which is the clay in a form meant for ingestion, but I have dabbed it on pimples before and they diminish quite quickly!

Avocados make a great home remedy for acne. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B complex. Avocados also have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. Make a paste of avocado pulp and apply it to your skin. It will soothe and moisturize!

There are some different concoctions you can put together to make an acne remedy. Most of these things you will find around your kitchen! You can make a simple paste of salt and vinegar. Rub it on your acne and wash it off after twenty to thirty minutes. It may sting, but rubbing fresh garlic on your pimples will help take care of them.

Cinnamon powder is good for making an acne natural remedy. Mix some cinnamon powder with some honey. Apply to your pimples right before bed. In the morning, wash your face with warm water. You can also make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and apply to acne.

To sum everything up, acne is a problem that effects many people. But we need to take care of our skin and body as well as our acne problem. Antibiotics and harsh over the counter medications dont have to be the answer. We can take care of our bodies from the inside with a slight change in diet. And try homemade acne remedies that will not harm our skin. If you have your own homemade remedy for acne, please share with us!

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