Natural Ways to Combat Acne

There’s nothing quite worse than waking up with a red zit on your face, especially before a monumental event like say your wedding day. 

We'd prefer a tax audit, a visit from the in-laws or an extra three days from Aunt Flow before dealing with acne. What exactly causes acne post prom?

The Cause. A skin condition caused by the overproduction of oil by the skin’s oil glands (AKA sebaceous glands), acne has the superpowers to sprout up on prone areas like your forehead, face, chest, shoulders and back - areas of skin that contain the largest number of oil glands.

A vicious circle of overactive oil glands, blockage of skin pores, activity of normal skin bacteria and inflammation. Basically, the oil that was designed to lubricate your skin and hair follicles, thereby keeping your skin healthy and moisturized, gets trapped in blocked oil ducts. This triggers bacteria that normally protects the skin from harmful bacteria, normal skin bacteria, to grow in the closed pore.

The bacteria then produces chemicals that alter the composition of the oil, irritating the skin and causing inflammation as the body’s immune system attempts to rid itself of a foreign substance. The ‘foreigner’ at hand being the bacteria or irritating compounds they have produced.

What Is Your Body Telling You? Acne can be a slight indication that your body is begging for an internal spring cleaning. Or, you’re eating, drinking or ingesting way too much or too little of something (see below).

What Are Some Natural Treatments? There are plenty to try before resorting to antibiotics or medical treatments.

Does milk do a complexion good? Researchers claim to have found a correlation between milk intake and acne. It appears that milk drinkers develop more severe acne than well, say, non-milk drinkers. Milk also contains hormones that can cause breakouts.

Reduce intake of saturated fats and trans fats. A no-brainer, these icky additives can contribute to oily skin.

Reduce sodium intake. Ditch the excess sugar and carbonated drinks. It’s all about control, ladies.

Load up on zinc. Zinc boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation and heals damaged skin. Load up on zinc-rich foods like almonds and nuts, wheat bran cereal and chickpeas (or supplements).

Fall in love with omega-3 fatty acids. They promote healthy skin and prevent acne. Foods high in omega-3s include flax seed, walnuts, cereals, oregano, grape leaves, broccoli, etc.

Stimulate the liver.

Incorporate some garlic into your diet, sip on a glass of hot water with lemon in the morning, juice some beets, and munch on cruciferous veggies (Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli). All help detox and stimulate the liver.

Drink water. Water flushes out toxins. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and keep refilling throughout the day.

Avoid chemical-based cosmetics. Yet another reason to check the ingredients on the back of the box. Chemicals are harsh on the skin and can contribute to inflammation.

Cleanse the skin. Here are some savvy ideas:

• Tea tree and carrier oil. Mix two drops of tea tree oil with 30 ml of a carrier oil (i.e. vegetable oil). It acts as a natural antiseptic, is gentle on the skin and speeds the healing of blemishes.

• Baking soda paste. Create a scrub of 1 tbs. of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Gently massage into skin with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt from the pores before infection sets in.

• Jojoba oil. Rub some jojoba oil into the skin, which will help to unclog pores and eliminate dirt.

• Steam facial. Take a load off with a steam facial. Heat up a large bowl of clean water, drape a towel over your head and the hot water to envoke a steamy environment. Make sure not to lean too close to avoid risk of scalding and leave an opening to breathe properly. Steam for five minutes.

Acne my ass.