Acne is the result of plugged pores. They occur when the hormones in the skin’s sebaceous glands (microscopic glands in the skin which secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair of mammals) clog causing blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
Pimples can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, upper arms and back. Acne, considered a chronic skin disease, is most common in teenagers but can appear at any age.
As much as my daughter does not want to hear it, acne originates from bad eating habits. Eating the wrong foods, excess starches, sugar and fatty foods - all of her favorites!
Another cause of acne is chronic constipation can also cause acne. When the bowels do not purge efficiently, accumulations build up causing a more toxic environment in your body.
The pimples appear as a result of the excessive effort the skin has to expend eliminating this waste.
Luckily, there are some wonderful home remedies for acne that are effective and inexpensive.
1. Boil 50 gm of raspberry, strawberry or blackberry leaves with a quart of water for about 3 minutes. Let it cool and apply onto the skin. This will relieve itch and soothe the skin.
2. Make a mixture of fine oatmeal and natural, unsweetened yogurt. Combine to form a thick paste. Apply this to the skin and let it dry on the skin. When it has dried, wash the area with lukewarm water and pat dry with a warm, dry towel.
3. The gel from the aloe vera plant is a great acne treatment. Use leaves from a plant and cut off a small piece and squeeze out the gel. Apply to the skin and leave on the effected area. If you do not have access to an aloe vera plant, there are plenty of soaps and gels on the market that contain aloe vera. When considering a commercially made product, choose one that will not irritate the skin further. Avoid products that contain additives and preservatives.
4. Try an orange peel treatment. Make a paste by mixing the essence of the orange with honey and cinnamon powder. Apply the paste before bed and wash off when you wake up in the morning.
5. As a daily acne wash, mix a few tablespoons of white flour into 8 oz of milk.
To improve the overall condition of acne, cut out excess refined carbohydrates, refined sugars and foods that are high in saturated fat. If you are not willing to give up these foods you can rest assured that you will not be a teenager forever and will eventually grow out of the acne affliction! In the meantime, try these acne home remedies for some immediate relief to your problem.
