Natural Skin Care Solutions that Work

No More Acne!

So many people suffer from acne, hyperpigmentation, and other skin woes unnecessarily. There are natural, affordable remedies to these problems, and most can be cleared up within a matter of weeks. Give the following suggestions a try before shelling out big bucks for a dermatologist:

WATER
I'm listing water first because it's probably the most important thing we can do to preserve our skin and keep it clear. Whether you're dealing with dry skin or problem skin, you NEED water. Our skin's hydration begins inside of us, and water is the only way to do that effectively. Water flushes toxins and impurities out of our bodies as well so it is critical to healthy skin. Water keeps our kidneys and liver functioning properly so it's necessary to keeping our insides healthy. The recommended amount varies according to the source, but many suggest drinking half your weight in ounces of water. (Example: If you weight 100 lbs., drink 50 oz. of water since 100/2 = 50). Sugary drinks and carbonated beverages should be avoided when possible. Green tea and white tea are wonderful antioxidants. They help maintain youthful, healthy skin. Horsetail tea is high in silica,

DIET
We really are what we eat, and our skin shows it. A poor diet can cause problem for even the best skin. Avoiding processed foods high in preservatives and hyrdrogenated oils is a must for acne-prone skin. The chemicals in these foods are not skin-friendly.

Here's a list of the main foods to avoid and why:
Dairy products - Many people are lactose intolerant and don't even realize it. Just because you haven't formally been diagnosed as being lactose intolerant does not mean that you don't have a mild intolerance that could manifest itself as acne. Dairy products are acid forming in the body, and our bodies need to remain slightly alkaline. Therefore, over consumption of dairy products can lead to an upset of this balance and acne. Dairy products are also notoriously hard on the digestive system which is another cause of acne. The hormones found in many dairy products can cause skin problems ranging from acne to dermatitis.
Meat - Animal protein should be eaten in moderation or not at all. Cooked animal protein is difficult to digest, and it often takes several days for it to travel through the digestive system. During that time, it putrifies and creates toxins. Our digestive systems are simply not designed to digest the amount of meat most of us consume. Animals have smooth, short digestive tracts that are designed to handle large quantities of meat. Human digestive tracts are long and folded so that we can get the most nutrition from the food we consume. When we consume animal protein, it becomes trapped in these pockets and leads to a buildup of toxins in our system which is eventually expelled via our skin in the form of acne and other problems. Cutting down meat consumption rarely leads to protein deficiency because protein can be found in many other places in our diets.

Refined carbohydrates - Eating refined carbs and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor. This leads to an excess of male hormones which encourages the skin to produce large amounts of sebum (oil). Excessive sebum is one of the primary causes of acne since too much sebum is a breeding ground for bacteria.

In light of the buildup of toxins that bad foods create, detoxification systems and liver cleanses are great ways to remove toxins from the system and clear skin quickly. Fasting is another wonderful skin-clearing strategy since it gives the digestive system a break.

What you should be ADDING to your diet are fruits and vegetables. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are ESSENTIAL to healthy skin. I can't think of a single fruit that doesn't contain some ingredient that helps healthy skin thrive. Juicing fruits and veggies or make fresh smoothies is a great way to add more fruits and vegetables to the diet.

SLEEP
Sleep is the body's time to repair itself. The body must maintain the body's most important organs first (heart, liver, brain), and the skin comes after these things. Without sufficient rest, our bodies can not effectively repair themselves and our skin often shows it. A lack of rest often shows up as blemishes, enlarged pores, bags under the eyes, dark circles, and sallow skin. In addition to tremendously reducing stress which in turn reduces acne-causing hormones, sleep keeps the immune system in tact so it can effectively fight off bacteria and infections.

EXERCISE
Exercise is great for the skin because it increases the blood flow to the skin and allows oxygen to get to the cells more efficiently. Light sweating will help clean the pores from the inside, and exercise will improve the fitness of the internal organs. Also, exercise is wonderful for regulating hormones.

STRESS
Our bodies have their own ways of telling us that we're under negative stress. Hair loss, skin problems, loss of appetite and other indications are typical evidence of stress. It's important to find facilitative ways to handle stress in order to keep it from ruining our skin. Our bodies release cortisol, an acne-causing chemical, when we're under great stress. Whatever the remedy is: exercise, sleeping, writing, meditating, talking to a close friend - we have to be aware of the things that help relieve our stress.

TOPICAL CARE
Oftentimes people with oily skin will try to strip the skin of its oil in an effort to balance it. Although logical, our bodies don't work this way. The key is to maintain a healthy balance by regulating sebum production through diet and exercise. When the skin is stripped of its oil, it begins producing more oil to compensate, and this only leads to more problems.

For this reason, a gentle cleanser is best. Natural products that are free from harsh ingredients such as alcohol are better for troubled skin. Harsh ingredients and astringents strip the skin's moisture and contribute to problems instead of eliminating them. Tea tree oil has been found to be an effective astringent without drying as much as commercial astringents. If possible, avoid products containing the following: alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and parabens.

Exfoliants are important to a good skin care regimen. They slough off dead skin and remove surface debris that can clog pores. Again, natural ingredients are best. Exfoliation should be done every other day or less often, depending on the regimen. Too much exfoliation can damage the skin and leave it raw and vulnerable.

Facial masks are a great way to absorb excess oil and refine pores. Clay based masks using kaolin or sea kelp powder work well. Steaming the face with boiling water (with a few drops of tea tree oil) prior to using the clay mask will help draw out impurities and shrink pores.

Acne blemishes and pimples should not be picked at or squeezed. Doing so often spreads infection and pushes the plug deeper into the skin. It also increases the risk of ruptured and scarred skin. Applying tea tree oil to the blemishes will help speed healing.

Scars can be effectively treated with lavender oil or rosehip essential oil diluted in almond oil. Also, coconut oil is great for improving the skin's texture and reducing red scarring. Aloe vera gel is also great for reducing scars and hyperpigmentation. Other methods such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser treatments can also fade hyperpigmentation and restore skin's smooth texture. A good sunscreen is also necessary to protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays that can age the skin and cause problems with uneven tone.

Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores. They should not be forcibly extracted. Instead, the excess oil and dead skin should be removed from the skin in order to eliminate blackheads. Gently exfoliating regularly will help keep blackheads away.

Professional facials are typically good for the skin but extractions should be gentle. Too often, estheticians use undue pressure and force on the skin. This results in ruptures, scarring (particularly in AA women), and enlarged pores.

RECOMMENDED SKIN CARE LINES
Arcona
Aveda
Faith Products
Dermalogica
Dr Hauschka
Aubrey Organics
J/A/S/O/N
Green People
Living Nature
Lush Cosmetics
Neal's Yard Remedies
Origins
Earth Science
Mychelle
Origins
Desert Essence
Avalon Organics
The Sanctuary
The Body Shop
Weleda

OTHER TIPS
-Don't touch your skin throughout the day unless you've just washed your hands. Otherwise, you're spreading dirt and bacteria from your hands to your skin.
-Change pillowcases and bed linens regularly as they touch the face throughout the night. Oils from our face and hair can contribute to skin problems.
-Take a good multivitamin every day to be sure your body & skin are receiving the necessary nutrients for healthy functioning.
-Wear makeup that is oil-free and are non-comedogenic. Use disposable sponges to avoid the transfer of bacteria. Be sure to wash makeup brushes once a week to keep the clean and free or dirt and bacteria.
-Try drinking aloe vera juice to boost the immune system and heal the digestive system.
-Flaxseed oil, Echinacea, MSM, olive leaf extract, and evening primrose oil are all great supplements.
-Milk of Magnesia makes a great mask for minimizing pores and smoothing skin's texture.
-Raw honey makes a great face mask. Simply apply raw honey and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Honey antiseptic properties will help clear blemishes and maintain the skin's moisture balance.
Ok, this is all I can think of for right now. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer them or another lady here may be willing & able to help. I hope this helps those dealing with skin problems as I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck!