Follow these 14 tips to clear up that acne without the harsh cleansers or pills.
Acne is a nuisance, the bane of our teenage lives that unfortunately likes to hang around well into adulthood too. Clogged pores are to blame for both black heads and white heads. Sebum, an oily substance produced by the body, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, can form the blockage, but there are many things that contribute to the plugging of our pores. Excessive oil, vitamin deficiency, poor diet, and hormone fluctuations can all lead to acne. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent and speed the healing of acne.
1. Use less makeup.
Makeup helps cover blemishes, but it also helps clog those pores. Makeup is made from different minerals, oils, dyes, and waxes that usually don’t let the skin breathe and clean itself the way it’s used to. You don’t have to go naked, but cut back a bit.
2. Eat well.
Many will argue that it doesn’t matter what you put in your body when it comes to acne. Then they’ll prescribe a pill to help you clear it up without seeing the irony of the suggestion. Of course it matters what you eat. The body uses the skin to release toxins through our sweat glands. The more unhealthy oils, fats, and chemicals we take in, the more likely we are to dump this junk out through our pores, providing food for bacterial infections and plenty of debris to plug up our pores. The cleaner you eat, the better your skin will look.
3. Wash, exfoliate, and moisturize.
Our skin likes to be clean and hydrated. Harsh cleansers aren’t necessary, but you do need to keep your skin happily clean and moisturized. Use natural products that are less likely to cause irritation. Moisturize with coconut or jojoba oil.
4. Use tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil naturally cleans and fights bacteria. It can be a little intense straight, so dilute it in witch hazel for a powerful cleanser or in coconut or jojoba oil as a bacteria busting moisturizer.
5. Think citrus.
Lemons are an excellent cleanser. The acidity kills bacteria while removing dead skin cells and oils gently. Fresh lemon juice can be combined with sugar for an exfoliating scrub or used alone. Just don’t leave it on too long before rinsing with water. If you want to leave it on longer, dilute the lemon juice in water before applying. Also be careful to avoid the sun if you leave the lemon juice on. Citrus can make your skin more sensitive to those golden rays.
6. Get chromium.
Chromium is a mineral that aids the body in healing infections. It helps regulate blood sugar too, which directly affects skin health and acne. Chromium can be found in whole grains, broccoli, and mushrooms, to name just a few good foods.
7. Add zinc.
Zinc is pretty potent stuff when it comes to acne. It reduces stress hormones, lessens oil production, boosts immune function, fights inflammation, and combats allergic reactions. This all keeps acne at bay.
8. Try jojoba oil.
Jojoba oil mimics sebum, the skin’s natural cleansing oil that removes dead skin cells and hydrates. Use it as a cleanser to easily remove makeup, dust, and grime. This convinces the body that it doesn’t need to produce as much oil. Use it as a moisturizer too.
9. Sweeten up with honey.
Honey makes a great cleansing mask. It kills bacteria, hydrates, and strips off dead skin cells. Combine it with other ingredients, like cinnamon, yogurt, avocado, aloe, lemon, and/or apple cider vinegar.
10. Eat carrots.
Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A strengthens the skin, makes it more elastic, and works as an antioxidant to keep cells healthy and toxins from forming. Carrots aren’t alone. Eat plenty of dark, richly colored fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, berries, leafy greens, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes.
11. Get baking soda.
Baking soda makes a great exfoliating cleanser that removes oils, scrubs away dead skin cells, kills bacteria, and deodorizes too. Combine it with the honey above for extra effect. Add it to baths to help with acne all over the body.
12. Apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar, like lemon juice, is acidic and helps neutralize bacteria on your skin and in pores. This is another that can cause irritation though. Dilute it in witch hazel or water before using.
13. Go garlic.
Garlic is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent with beneficial sulfur compounds. This one can be used topically and internally to benefit the skin.
14. Mask it with mint.
Mint is rich in soothing compounds that kill bacteria, fight inflammation, and refresh skin. Blend fresh leaves in a blender and apply it as a mask. Sip mint teas. The water in the teas will help with hydration and cleansing too.
Most of these acne remedies are not instant cures. You aren’t going to see your acne disappear overnight, but if you consistently use some of these, you will begin to see results within a few days to weeks. These will be lasting results unlike the many quick fixes out there. So don’t give up!
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