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Let me start this post off by stating I am not a medical professional, but I know a lot about acne. I had it as a teen and now as the mom of teens I am brutally remembering how big of a bummer it can be. Over the years in my many attempts to learn how to treat and combat acne I have learned quite a bit. I first started off by hitting the aisles of my local drugstore, and buying every product that said it would treat acne. In my continued quest I then moved onto higher end stores, products, salons, and even specialized Dermatologists. The aggravating thing about acne is that a product or skin care routine which might have had great results for someone else can potentially do absolutely nothing for another person who tries that same thing. Keep this in mind as you search for answers to treating your own skin problems. There really is no one quick solution. Instead think of it as a process that might require some trial and error on your part.
As a special note, I have also tried some of the professional medical options out there for treating my own acne and that of my teens. Unfortunately, not all people are a good fit for that type of treatment.
If you are in this same boat don’t get discouraged. There are many items in your own pantry you can use right now to help combat acne. So in no particular order, here are some of the things I have found that work. We are going to talk about some basics and then some specific treatments you can do right at home.
Think About Your Gut
When I was a teenager I remember hearing that chocolate caused zits. Although that isn’t specifically true I have noted a definite decrease in both my own acne related problems and that of my teens when we watch what we eat. There are a lot of supplemental products out there that say they will treat acne causing bacteria in your gut. I have tried a lot of them, but what I have found to be most beneficial is to eat minimally processed food, and make sure you include plenty of plant fiber (fruits and vegetables) into your diet.
In our family we also cut out dairy for one of my kiddos, and not only did we see a huge difference in her skin, but many of her previous stomach complaints went away.
It might be a good idea to track what you eat for a little bit and see if any of it is a trigger for you. This doesn’t mean you stop eating everything and anything, just take a look and see if you can track down the things that might be making your digestive system a less than happy place. Which then causes flare ups on your skin.
We mainly work on keeping our gut healthy through what we eat and drink as a family, but here are some of the products I use and love to help me do this. As a disclaimer I am a Young Living enthusiast and distributor, but remember there is no one quick fix to do this and some of these products might not be the solution for you.
Both of these work on digestive health and focus on helping to increase the amount of greens you ingest.
Or perhaps you might want to look into an over the counter probiotic that will help you maintain a healthy gut. There are some really goods one out there that won’t break the bank.
To Zinc Or Not To Zinc
About a year ago I read an article that detailed research findings for patients who where prone to acne had also been found to have low levels of zinc.
“One of the best studies was done by Dr. Breno and colleagues. They gave 332 acne patients either zinc gluconate (equivalent to 30mg of elemental zinc) or 100mg of minocycline. Over 3 months the total pimple count dropped 49.8% in the zinc group and 66.6% in the minocycline group. The authors concluded that minocycline was 17% more effective.”
After reading the studies I thought it was worth a try for one of my kiddos. The articles recommended 30 mg a day. I went out to my local grocery store and picked up a bottle of 250 tablets of 50 mg. I cut the tablets in half and have my kiddo take half a tablet a day. Or you can grab the zinc
What’s The Deal With Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is the buzz word in beauty these days. Everything has Hyaluronic Acid in it. So I started researching what it is.
“Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, a structural molecule in human skin- 50% of hyaluronic acid in humans is located in the skin, with varying amounts in joints, nerves and eyes too. It’s manufactured by Hyaluronic Acid synthases, and once in place, controls numerous aspects of wound healing, elasticity, and skin structure. Most important, however, is Hyaluronic Acid’s role in hydration, as a natural humectant.”
One of my kiddos has severely dry, sensitive skin that was causing some acne problems. There is no way to really pinpoint a deficiency, but I would bet that deficiencies like this might be more common than we think.
I figured giving it a try might work. I visited my neighborhood Sprouts and picked up a bottle of Hyaluronic Acid supplements. It was kind of expensive in store, about 30 dollars, so now I buy it off Amazon
Whether or not it is a cure-all, I don’t think so. Overall though I think we are seeing the results we like, so I will keep researching more data, but I like what I am seeing. We have noticed a difference in the feel, hydration and plumpness of our skin.
Drink Lots Of Water
This sounds so simple it’s dumb. Except it isn’t. Drinking water helps to keep your system hydrated and flushes out bad toxins from your gut and the rest of your body.
Learn About pH levels- AKA Don’t Rub Or Overdry Your Skin
Some people think scrubbing away acne or using overly drying products will treat acne. It doesn’t. This is where an understanding of pH comes in handy. pH stands for the “power of hydrogen” or “potential of hydrogen.” When your skin’s pH levels get out of whack this can cause sebum and acne to increase, because your skin’s natural barrier has been broken down. Just like the bacteria and yeast in our gut that keep us safe, our skin flora keeps us safe from diseases like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Research has shown there is a very close relationship between the pH of skin and having healthy skin bacterium.
This means you should never use products that overly dry your skin, or cause damage to your skin’s ability to maintain a healthy pH level. Make sure to use a good solid cleanser, toner (occasionally, but be careful) and a moisturizing system that doesn’t overly dry.
Are you starting to see here why trying just one product and assuming it will fix your acne is kind of unrealistic? There is a lot of unseen things at play when dealing with your skin.
Face Masks That Really Work
Over the years I have dropped loads of money on “skin clearing” face masks, and most of them were over priced and over hyped. Here are some alternatives that require minimal ingredients and really work!
P.S. I love raw honey and use it for everything! You can add it to pretty much any DIY face mask to make it even better.
Raw Honey And Green Tea Leaves
Green Tea has a very calming and soothing effect on your skin. It helps the skin stay hydrated as well as reduces inflammation. Honey is antibacterial, but it also provides the skin with much-needed hydration. It locks the water content in the skin and leaves it soft, smooth and supple.
What You Need
Green Tea Leaves – 1 tea bag
Honey – 1 Tablespoon
I use cheapo green tea bags from my local grocery store. Open the packet and combine the tea leaves and raw honey. Mix ingredients together and apply to your trouble spots or on your entire face. Let it sit 15 minutes or longer, but no longer than 2 hours. You can do this even once or twice a day as needed. I have one kiddo who calls it their spa/ calm-down therapy!
Aloe Vera Face Mask
Tea Tree Oil is full of antibacterial properties, and the aloe vera is great for soothing down the inflammation and redness.
What You Need
Aloe Vera – 1 Tablespoon
Tea Tree Oil – 1 to 2 Drops
I use fresh aloe vera from a plant in my backyard or you can buy it pretty cheap here
Aloe Vera & Tomato Juice Face Mask Ingredients
Tone your skin, fight breakouts, and reduce acne scarring with this mask!
What You Need
Aloe Vera – 1 Tablespoon
Tomato Juice– 2 Tablespoons
Add 2 tablespoons of tomato juice into a large mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera. Mix well. Wash your face and neck with warm water and an oil-free cleanser to remove makeup and open pores. Apply the mask and let it dry for 15 minutes. Remove the mask by rinsing with lukewarm water. Splash your skin with cool water to close and tighten pores. Pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel.
Apple Cider Vinegar Face Mask
Use apple cider vinegar, green tea leaves, and honey. The apple cider vinegar and green tea leaves help to reduce sebum, and the honey kills bacteria.
What You Need
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and Raw Honey – 1 Teaspoon
Green Tea Leaves– 2 Teaspoons green tea leaves from tea bag
Add 1 tsp. raw apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp. green tea leaves, and 1 tsp. honey to a bowl and mix well. Use your fingers to gently apply the mixture on on your face. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Use the apple cider acne face mask 1-2 times a week to help keep a clear complexion and your skin free of pimples.
Another way to use apple cider vinegar to get rid of acne is to dilute it with water and add some tea tree oil.
You can also use this apple cider vinegar remedy for acne:
- Mix equal parts of raw unprocessed apple cider vinegar and water.
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil (or lavender oil). You need about 6-8 drops essential oil for every 1 oz. liquid.
- Shake the mixture well before each application.
- Apply the facial acne treatment to you face using a cotton ball.
- Rinse with warm water.
Other Favorite Face Mask Ingredients
Here are some of my other favorite ingredients to add in with honey. You can pretty much use honey as a base for any DIY Face mask. Just be really careful to not scrub or use even natural products that will burn and irritate your skin!
- oatmeal
- cucumber
- ground cinnamon
- turmeric
- papaya
- coconut oil
Best Essential Oils To Combat Acne
- Tea Tree
- Lavender
- Sandalwood
- Manuka
- Frankincense
Aren’t sure how to get your hands on these essential oils? Feel free to shoot me an email at jen@practicallyperfectprincess.com and I can help!
If you are suffering from acne, hang in there and don’t lose hope, and most importantly, remember you also don’t have to pay the big bucks to fight it.
I hope you found this post helpful. You are welcome to leave me any questions you may have in the comments section below. I will see what I can do to come up with an answer for you.
If you liked this post, you may want to check this one out too!
Jen
