Teen acne: Ways to fight breakouts
TEEN acne can exacerbate the struggles most teens already face. Natural remedies can help. There is no quick fix to reducing or even preventing acne, but you can start here with the following effective natural remedies:
Reduce toxins
The skin is the largest organ of the body. One of its functions is to eliminate a portion of the body’s toxic waste products through sweating.
If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys and liver can effectively discharge, the skin takes over.
As toxins escape through the skin, the skin’s health integrity is disrupted, which can cause skin disorders, including acne.
Eliminating processed foods that contain artificial dyes, saturated fats, high levels of sodium and sugar is one way to effectively reduce ingestcausing ing toxins that will seep through the skin.
In addition to following a whole foods diet, increase water consumption so that toxins are flushed out of the body.
Foods that are high in fibre such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables will also help contribute to a healthy digestive system so that toxins can be eliminated through the colon.
Avoid topical oils/chemicals
If you wear cosmetics, use only natural, water-based products. Harsh chemicals, dyes and oils will clog pores and cause acne to flourish.
Keep skin clean
The skin breathes. Dust, grime, oils and pollutants can clog the skin’s pores and exacerbate existing acne. Teens should wash their faces thoroughly, but gently, twice a day.
Over washing, or excessive scrubbing can make acne worse by over stimulating the sebaceous glands, them to produce excessive amounts of sebum.
Use an all-natural soap with sulphur that is designed for acne (available at health food stores) to help keep the skin clean.
Avoid touching or squeezing
In all likelihood, you will be tempted to squeeze, pop and touch pimples anything to make them go away.
Keep your hands away off your face as any dirt or oil on your hands will make acne worse.
Breaking or popping a pimple will also allow harmful bacteria to enter the blemish, thereby, risking infection and possible scarring.
Nutritional supplements
Certain vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, E and zinc, along with the essential fatty acid, Omega 3, may help improve the skin appearance and minimise the eruption of acne.
Consult with a natural health care practitioner to determine the correct dosage for your child when using a supplement as exceeding the recommended daily units daily of some vitamins can be harmful to the body.
Vitamin A, C, E, zinc and Omega 3 can also be found naturally in the foods we eat: Vitamin A is found in animal livers, fish liver oils and green and yellow fruits and vegetables; vitamin C is found in berries, citrus fruits and green vegetables; vitamin E is found in avocados, cold pressed vegetable oils, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains; zinc is found in egg yolks, fish, kelp, legumes, liver meats, mushrooms, soy and whole grains; and omega 3 fatty acids with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects can be found in fresh coldwater fish such as salmon and mackerel, fish oil and walnuts.
Natural remedies
There are some natural remedies that use low-cost household items that may help minimise the appearance of acne.
A mixture of organic apple cider vinegar and quality water applied to the affected area can help balance the skin’s pH level, and prevent breeding of acne-causing bacteria.
Mix 1 part apple cider with 10 parts quality water and apply gently with a cotton ball to the skin.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice applied directly to clean skin can also help balance the skin’s pH level.
Allow the lemon juice to dry for a few minutes and then rinse with cool water. Re-apply a couple of times a day.
Honey contains enzymes that rejuvenate the skin and act as an antimicrobial agent.
A thin layer of raw honey applied to the face and left in place for a few minutes can serve as a natural mask to remove dirt and grime from the pores.
Tea tree oil, available at natural health stores, is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic.
A dab of full-strength tea tree oil applied sparingly on blemishes three times a day can help reduce the size and appearance of blemishes.
Tea tree oil soap also works well. As with all natural remedies, discontinue if a rash appears.
Be patient
Living with a teen is not always easy. It is a time of change, confusion and emotional ups and downs as they figure out their place in the world.
What may seem as a natural rite of passage to parents, can be viewed as a tragedy to them.
What an adolescent needs most is an understanding parent, who remembers what it’s like at this age.
If you are living with a teen fighting the acne battle, suggest some of these remedies and hopefully your teen will be on her way to achieving healthy looking skin.