Natural Remedies for Acne

Acne breakouts are the kind of dilemma that can strike at almost any age, it seems. While we tend to connect it with teenagers, it can flare at several other times in your life. Hormones play a key role in the development of acne, as does nutrition and other variables.

You may be trying to find natural options for acne. After all, the “chemical” acne remedies sold over-the-counter might seem severe and/or inadequate. Here are some tips for natural remedies for acne, regardless of what age you are.

Take a Good quality Multi-vitamin

Lots of people are lacking in crucial vitamins and minerals. Among those nutrients most important for the treatment and protection against acne are Vitamin A, zinc, Vitamin E, selenium, and chromium. If you can’t locate a supplement with all of these nutrients, you can take a few of these individually, or increase your dietary intake of these important vitamins and minerals.

Diet

The role of the diet is somewhat questionable with regard to managing acne breakouts. For example, the great chocolate dilemma – does eating it trigger acne? – has never really been resolved. Nevertheless, given the role that vitamins and minerals play in preventing and curing acne, it seems sensible that a nutritious diet is important in managing this problem. To illustrate:

* Specialists advise reducing dairy products, particularly milk, as the hormones and trans-fatty acids it contains could worsen acne.

* Processed sugar has been said to exacerbate acne. Sources point to sugar’s effect on the body’s insulin manufacturing, and the link between effective sugar metabolism and skin health. Studies have shown an improvement in acne when individuals were given insulin injections. Because most people can’t inject ourselves with insulin – nor is this advisable for non-diabetics – it makes better sense to eliminate refined sugar and the increased need for insulin that it leads to.

* Fresh, healthy foods are implicated in the management of acne. Processed foods often contain artificial dyes and preservatives, which have been revealed to affect hormone levels in the human body. Given the role of hormones in acne, it makes sense to avoid such artificial substances.

Natural and/or Homemade Skin cleansers

Helping your acne get better includes applying treatments to your face. Sulfur-containing soap and cleansers may help a great deal, and are available at several natural health stores for less than $10. Here are some homemade options too:

* Combine 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon of raw honey. Put this on your face as a cleanser or to clean skin and rub softly. Leave it on your face for as long as possible, as much as 15 minutes. Then rinse off with warm water. Yogurt and honey both assist in balancing bacterial activity on the skin.

* Mash rolled oats in your blender until they are a fine powder. Blend the oatmeal with sufficient water to make a paste and put it on the problem areas. Leave on for a bit, then rinse. Alternatively, you can blend the oatmeal flour with plain yogurt.

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