Acne is a condition when sebum glands produce too much oil, and these (combined with dead skin cells and dirt) block the pores and hair follicles, to cause pimples (often red with pus).There is no medical evidence that stress and bad foods cause acne, but many people say it gets worse, after eating sugary foods.
This purifying botanical facial steam is good to open pores and release blackheads, using a blend of dried rose petals, calendula/chamomile flowers and lavender buds. Add 1 to 2 spoons to a large bowl and fill with boiling water, then lean over (covering your head with a towel) and steam for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep away from pets and children.
Avoid aromatherapy essential oils for pregnancy/nursing (and medical conditions like epilepsy and asthma). Avoid rosemary & citrus oils for high blood pressure. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
Affecting around 85% of people at some time, it’s usually hormonal, so shows up mostly during teenage years and pregnancy. The best way to deal with acne is usually to just leave it, and wait until it goes away naturally. Clay masks are often helpful to people with acne.
This charcoal, lime & ginger clay soap is made with plant-based ingredients and free from palm oil. It’s made in Wales from a blend of natural clays, botanicals and essential oils. The charcoal and clays help to draw out oil, and the bar has a sweet peppery scent. Keep on a slatted soap dish, to dry out between uses.
Although it’s good to exfoliate regularly, go gently and don’t do too much. Stick to a simple floral water toner over harsh apple cider vinegar, which could burn sensitive skin. Conventional treatments like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can cause red, dry, sensitive, peeling and burning skin.
Acne scars can be removed with a glycolic peel, but this can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Natural suncreams usually contain pet-toxic zinc oxide, so wash it off thoroughly, before letting animal friends give you a lick!
Tips to Help Prevent & Heal Acne (naturally)
- Beetroot is good for acne, try this Beet Mango Smoothie (Minimalist Baker) that sweetens up our earthy friend. Unless you have a medical condition, don’t worry if your pee temporarily turns pink! Avoid beetroot for gallbladder or kidney stones, due to the high oxalates.
- Zinc (found in oats, nuts, seeds, legumes and tofu) can balance sebum and speed up skin healing, to reduce scars. People with acne are often deficient in certain vitamins, so up your intake of fresh fruits and veggies.
- Giving up dairy and refined sugar often helps (just use a little natural sugar – never use xylitol near pets, just a few dropped crumbs can be lethal).
- Drink plenty of filtered water, to flush out your system.
- Get regular exercise (and relax!) to strengthen your immune system.
- Enjoy a little natural sunshine for vitamin D (taking care not to overdo things). Or ensure you get it in fortified plant foods like milks and cereals.
- Use natural cosmetics that don’t clog pores. And be sure to cleanse them off thoroughly at night, if used.
Natural Acne Blemish Treatments
You don’t ‘dry skin out’ to heal acne, so applying tea tree oil and witchhazel (if used, keep both away from pets) direct, is likely too harsh. A better idea is to simply dab on some organic rosewater with a reusable facial wipe throughout the day, to help heal breakouts. Or use soothing lavender water if you’re a boy!
So you’ve a huge pimple on your face, and don’t want to leave it? What to do? You know not to squeeze it, right?! In fact, it’s best to leave it, to avoid possible scarring and inflammation. If you can’t resist, the safest way is to soak a clean flannel in warm water, then gently hold it over the spot for a couple of minutes, to help the yuk come to a head, without scarring. Watch how to pop a pimple correctly.
Here are more natural acne treatments, but keep all of these away from pets due to pet-toxic zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (also used in natural sun lotions). Wash off skin thoroughly, before allowing animal friends to give you a lick!
