Acne

Dietary

• Food allergies, especially in adults over 25, are the cause of some of the worst cases.

• In general, bad digestion, often caused by too little hydrochloric acid in the stomach, leads to the inability to absorb important nutrients and is a major cause of acne.

• As with any wellness program, we suggest drinking six to eight glasses of water daily. This will aid your body systems in functioning properly, especially your skin (your largest organ) for acne sufferers.

• Although many traditional medical practitioners may not agree, the excess of milk, sugar, white flour and other refined, processed food, as well as nuts and high-fat meats, such as pork, may be contributing factors to acne.

• A diet high in high glycemic carbs and refined sugar creates a blood sugar boost that sets off a series of hormonal changes known to cause acne. Reported in the Archives of Dermatology.

• Iodine-rich foods, such as liver, cheese, iodized salt, kelp products, clams, crabs and other shellfish have been associated with acne, and should be avoided. Iodine is also used in commercial breads and in processing milk. Consider switching to alternate products. If you use a lot of iodized salt, switch to balanced sea salt which you can find at gourmet or health food stores, or purchase from the Grain and Salt Society, 800-867-7258 or visit their website http://www.celtic-seasalt.com. Don't be fooled by products sold in grocery stores that are labeled "seasalt."

• Avoid all foods containing trans-fatty acids, such as milk, milk products, cookies, chips, margarine, chocolate, shortening and hydrogenated oils.

• Other causes are deficiencies in zinc, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids such as linoleic.

• Poor digestion should be addressed by a good diet and digestive supplements (not antacids!).

Cleanliness

It goes without saying that keeping the skin clean and bacteria-free is of major importance. Here are some tips.

• Keep your bed linens clean, as dead skin, oil, cosmetics, hair preparations and dirt on the linen will be picked up by your skin while you sleep and help clog pores.

• Wash your skin gently twice daily with an antibacterial soap or cleanser containing salicylic acid, not regular soap, as it is alkaline and will promote bacterial growth. Don't scrub too hard, as this will irritate your skin further.

• Products containing benzoyl peroxide are also very beneficial topical cleansing agents. However, if you are using products containing benzoyl peroxide, make extra efforts to screen yourself from the sun.

• A soap with aloe vera is good, too, as aloe is a natural wound healer.

• Allergies to cosmetics may be a cause, too, so if your acne started after using new cosmetics, eliminate them for a week to see if the acne clears up.

• Keep your hands away from your face or other affected areas. They contain oils and bacteria that promote acne. Wash your hands frequently.

• Take a steam shower or boil some water on the stove and put your head over the vapors for a few minutes. This will open up the pores and they can be cleaned out more easily. The blackheads can be squeezed out more easily, but do not squeeze the whiteheads, as this is an infected area and can cause other problems. Another similar method is to put a very warm washcloth on the affected area several times a day, This will open the pores and help cleanse the skin.

• Avoid greasy creams and cosmetics, especially ones that contain oils and dyes, and avoid medications that contain bromides or iodides.

Hormones

Natural hormonal changes for both males and females are some of the primary causes of acne. These changes usually start at puberty and end in early adulthood. The increased androgen males experience at the beginning of puberty causes the sebaceous (oil) glands to enlarge and produce increased amounts of sebum (oil and waxes) which pass through the hair follicles to the skin. When the pores clog, acne occurs. Women, however, often get a mild case of acne beginning a week before their menstrual period begins, even in adulthood.

Birth control pills also can cause acne. Try another brand or another method.

Scalp acne

Some people get pimples on the scalp that may take a few weeks to clear up. This type of pimple is known as acne necrotica miliaris, and seems to flourish during times of high stress or when the scalp is oilier than normal. The latter may occur if you haven't shampooed as often as usual or are using hair-care products with a lot of oil. To speed healing, shampoo frequently and apply an acne remedy with benzoyl peroxide. If the acne itches, use an anti-itch product with cortisone or wash your hair several times with a coal-tar shampoo.

Other causes

Other factors are: stress, seasonal changes, drug toxicity (usually from steroids) and sun exposure, as well as caffeinated drinks and certain spices.

Dietary Changes

Although topical treatments may produce quick results, they often have side effects, may dry out the skin, and don't address the root causes of acne. So, for a long-term strategy, it is better to treat acne from the inside out through dietary changes.

Since diet plays such a large part in acne problems, the first step to alleviate the problem is to make the necessary dietary changes. Without doing this, your chances of improvement are greatly reduced.

• A high-fiber diet of whole grain breads and cereals, bran, legumes (beans, lentils and split peas) and lots of fruits and vegetables is a good way to minimize eating the wrong foods. Often skin problems are rapidly improved when more fiber is added to the diet.

• Reduce your consumption of junk food and limit your total fat intake to no more than 20% of calories. Cut out hydrogenated oils.

• Eliminate sugars. Skin glucose tolerance is significantly impaired in acne patients.

• Eliminate refined carbohydrates.

• Reduce (or eliminate) milk consumption. The hormones contained in milk can aggravate acne.

• Avoid chocolate, tea, and coffee.

• Avoid foods containing trans fatty acids, as noted above under "Dietary Causes."

• Avoid fried foods.

• Eliminate sodas and artificial sweeteners.

• Eat foods with zinc to get enough to satisfy the remedy listed below. Foods containing zinc include oysters, herring, wheat germ, sesame seeds, liver, soybeans, sunflower seeds, egg yolk and lamb.

Supplements

Acidophilus Take acidophilus either in capsule or liquid form 2-3 times a day.

Brewer's yeast tablets taken after every meal has worked for some people. It contains chromium which is an essential mineral involved in the processing of sugar. Take 2 teaspoons of brewer's yeast daily.

Chromium (GTF or glucose tolerance factor) will aid in glucose tolerance. This will be especially beneficial for those with sugars-induced acne. Take 400 mcg of chromium. ChromMate^® is very bioavailable.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are composed of linoleic and linolenic fatty acids and should be taken to help reduce or eliminate inflammation. Individuals with acne are often deficient in these important nutrients. The omega 6 fatty acids are found in evening primrose oil (take 500 mg three times daily), black currant seed oil, and borage seed oil. A tablespoon of fish oil daily will be helpful. Pure cold-pressed flaxseed oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Selenium helps boost the potency of vitamin E when the two are taken together. Take 200-400 mcg. per day. People with severe cases of acne have been found to be deficient in selenium. A multi-vitamin with all the antioxidants should have sufficient selenium.

Vitamin A will help reduce sebum production and is important in maintaining healthy skin. Take 10-15,000 I.U. (not beta carotene) and 400 I.U. of vitamin D daily. For severe cases of acne you may need to increase the intake to 25,000 I.U., but do this only with medical supervision as it may cause side effects.

Vitamin B-complex Take a B-complex supplement daily.

Folic acid (a B vitamin) 10 mg daily, especially if your acne erupts at the outset of your menstrual cycle. Take along with B-6.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) has been used successfully in China. Dosage is 10 grams daily (divided into 2.5 grams doses) plus a cream containing 20% pantothenic acid by weight, applied four to six times daily. After 2-3 days there was a dramatic decrease in the amount of oil secretion, and the acne was brought under control in a few weeks' time. Severe cases needed 15-20 grams of pantothenic acid daily, and the time needed was up to six months.

Vitamin B6 will help restore normal hormone balance, especially testosterone and estrogen, which contribute to flareups. Take 50 mg three times per day. Women should start a week before menstruation and continue for a week afterward, as a minimum; daily would be preferable.

Vitamin C helps promote healing and cellular repair, enhances the immune system, and is beneficial for skin health in general. Start with 500 mg daily and increase to 1-3,000 mg or to bowel tolerance over a week or two.

Vitamin E boosts the effectiveness of certain enzymes (glutathione peroxidase) needed for good skin health and enhances the absorption of vitamin A. Take 400 IU per day. It is more effective when taken with selenium.

Zinc, an essential mineral, is more effective than antibiotics for wound healing, inflammation control, tissue regeneration and healthy skin in general. To see results you may have to take zinc for one to two months, and it should greatly reduce the recurrence of acne once the body chemistry is in balance. Zinc may be used topically or take 50 mg with each meal. Zinc picolinate is readily absorbed. If you don't see any results after a month or so, increase the level to 100 or even 150 mg with each meal. You should have very positive results within three months. Many teenage diets are high in the junk food category, which is very low in zinc. In addition to zinc, take 1 mg of copper for every 15 mg of zinc. Consult your physician before taking more than 15 mg of zinc per day for an extended period of time, as it may interfere with the absorption of copper. Caution: if you have not seen results with high doses of zinc, reduce the amount to 15-30 mg/da, along with the appropriate amount of copper, and concentrate on other remedies.

Folk

Aloe Use aloe vera juice or gel to counteract infection and promote healing. Use the ointment on pimples and sores. For acne scars, using aloe vera juice morning and night for as long as necessary (perhaps six months or longer) will help reduce the scars and improve skin complexion and color. It is drying, so if you have dry skin, use an aloe-based moisturizer. The pulp of the aloe vera plant is an excellent skin cleanser. Break off a portion and rub the pulp directly on the skin.

Apple cider vinegar/lemon juice Clean your skin and apply either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball. The acid in these kitchen remedies helps flush out the pores and keeps the skin looking beautiful. Vinegar acts as an astringent and helps remove excess oil, kills bacteria, and normalizes the skin's pH. This remedy should work quickly.

• Another method using apple cider vinegar is to "steam clean" the face by putting it over a pan of boiling water with a towel over your head to trap the steam. This will loosen the dirt and oil. Then apply the vinegar with a cotton ball to remove the dirt and oil buildup. Repeat twice, then dab more vinegar on the pores to close them. Use this method once a week.

Basil For acne that hasn't responded to other remedies, brew 2-3 teaspoons of dried basil leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 20 minutes; let cool; apply to affected area with a cotton ball.

Beans Make a tea by boiling a handful of green beans in a quart of water for 10 minutes; add 3 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers to the tea, cover and steep until cool; strain and bottle. Use as a face wash at least three times daily.

Carrot Juice The essential oils in carrot juice will aid digestion and help stop acne.

Charcoal To aid digestion, take 3 tablets of activated charcoal three times daily.

Colloidal Silver Cleanse the skin morning and night with colloidal silver. You should start to see improvements within a week. Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that has safely been used for a century.

Cucumber Liquify a peeled cucumber in a blender and apply the juice to the acne. Another variation of this remedy is to drink four or five cups of cucumber juice daily for a week. This is said to purify the blood and lymphatic system, resulting in a clearer skin.

Egg whites Clean your skin thoroughly and apply egg white with a cotton swab. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. The egg white is an astringent.

Fels-Naptha The use of Fels-Naptha soap has been reported with good results for those with oily skins. It contains mineral spirits and other ingredients that work well on skin problems.

Garlic Rub your acne with raw garlic several times a day.

Grapefruit seed extract This extract is a powerful all-around antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant. Make a solution of 4-40 drops in four ounces of water and apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball two or three times a day.

Lemon juice Apply fresh lemon juice to the affected area with a cotton ball or Q-tip before bed. Wash off in the morning.

Molasses Take 2 teaspoons of molasses with one teaspoon of sulphur once or twice daily to cleanse the blood. Skin eruptions may increase initially, but they are an indication that the blood is being cleansed.

Molkosan, a product derived from concentrated whey, the bi-product of cheese manufacture, has been used effectively against many forms of skin problems, especially acne. Add a teaspoon or tablespoon to a glass of water and take with meals. It aids in digestion and regulates metabolism. Soak an absorbant cotton pad or cloth in Molkosan and attach it to the affected areas and leave on overnight. Molkosan is an excellent antiseptic.

Neem oil Neem (Azadirachta indica) is valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its varied healing properties due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral capabilities. A cousin of mahogany, neem is a tropical evergreen tree native to India and Myanmar. Over 60 medicinal uses have been documented for neem so far - such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, dandruff, athlete's foot, ulcers, ringworm, and gingivitis, to name a few. For acne, apply a 2% neem oil-based cream to the affected area and take 2 neem leaf capsules daily to speed the healing. Neem oil may also be used by mixing 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 1/2 cup of a carrier oil such as almond or olive, and applying to the affected area with a Q-tip or cotton ball. If you have sensitive skin or if irritation occurs, dilute the neem with more of the carrier oil.

Oatmeal As for measles and other skin irritations, people have used oatmeal to conquer acne. Apply some cooled, cooked oatmeal to the whole face for fifteen minutes, then wash off. Oatmeal is an astringent and seems to draw oil and impurities out of the skin, keeping it clean and blemish-free. This method may take a week or two, but should have good results.

Oil of oregano Put a few drops in a glass of water and dab on the acne using a cotton ball. Oil of oregano is a very strong disinfectant, so if you start to get redness on your skin, stop using it for a few days then use a more diluted solution.

Sugar Wash your face and make a poultice of white sugar with a small amount of water; dab on the affected area. Sugar has an antibacterial effect.

Sun Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or a sunlamp will help kill bacteria on the skin and dry up excess oil.

Witch hazel In the morning wash your face with a gentle cleanser. If you have oily skin, rub a cottonball saturated with witch hazel over your entire face. It is an astringent and will help dry the skin and shrink the pimples. Next, spread a thin coat of a 2% salicylic acid product (found in drugstores) over your whole face. Its deep penetrating action will help unclog oil-clogged pores. Repeat the cleansing and witch hazel steps, then dab 2.5% benzoyl peroxide over the entire face to kill bacteria.

Herbal

Amaranth Make a tea from amaranth seeds and use as a face wash. To make the tea bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil, add 2 teaspoons of seeds, cover and simmer for five minutes; remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of leaves (if available) and steep for 30 minutes.

Basil To treat affected area, obtain a basil-based oil from your health food store and apply it as directed. Another way is to get the actual herb and make an infusion. To make an infusion, put two to four teaspoons of dried basil leaves in a cup of boiling water, steep for 10 to 20 minutes, cool, and apply to the acne.

Burdock The herb burdock (Arctium lappa), is effective in treating acne and is the most important herb for treating all forms of chronic skin problems. To make the tea, bring 1 quart of water to a boil, reduce to simmer, add 4 teaspoons of cut, dried root; cover and let simmer for 7 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for 2 more hours. Use as a skin wash.

Calendula can be made into tinctures, lotions and creams. Look for products containing this herb. Make a tea of calendula and wash your face.

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) It has antibiotic properties and helps stimulate the immune system. Take one of the following three times daily: tea from dried root (2-4 grams); tincture (6-12 ml or 1.5-3 teaspoon); fluid extract (1-2 ml or 0.25-0.5 teaspoon); solid powder of 8-12% alkaloid content (250-500 mg.).

Tea There are several other herbs that can be made into a tea and taken internally or used as a wash. Besides aloe and burdock, calendula, chickweed, dandelion, red clover, white oak bark, yellow dock, cayenne, echinacea, ginseng, redmond clay, sarsaparilla, and valarian may be used.

Tea tree oil derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree contains antiseptic compounds that are a very effective skin disinfectant. Depending on severity, use 5-15% solutions twice daily. It is as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide and is less drying, although it may take a little longer to work.

Homeopathic

Natrum muriaticum (table salt, sodium chloride) 6x, 12x or 30x.