Try the Connection Between Acne and Foods

Spend a full week on 100% raw fruit and vegetable diet.  Include nuts and seeds as well - about 1/3 cup per day.  Drink only clean water.

Sulphur is found in all living organisms. Recently it has come to light that we need more sulphur than calcium in our diet, and that a deficiency leads to premature sagging and wrinkled skin. It is used to make collagen -- the primary component of cartilage and connective tissue in bones, joints and skin. It is also in keratin, the tough substance in skin, nails and hair. Methyl Sulphonyl Methane (MSM) is available in health food stores.

For the skin and scalp include the amino acid ‘Alanine’ in your daily diet.  It is found in almonds, alfalfa sprouts, apples, apricots, avocados, carrots, celery, cucumbers, grapes, lettuces, oranges, strawberries, sweet peppers and tomatoes.

Acne and Foods and Hormones

Acne indicates hormonal imbalance.  There are a number of hormones produced by the ovaries, testes and adrenal glands involved in this particular problem.  While acne in teenagers seems to affect boys and girls in equal number, acne in adults seems to be more common in women than in men. This may be caused by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.

Exercise and sunshine help greatly towards rectifying matters and a wholesome nutritious menu will certainly make a marked difference. 

Clean Facial Skin and Acne

There is often a mistaken impression that acne is caused by dirty skin leading to a lot of frantic cleansing. Aggressive and frequent face scrubbing actually aggravates the condition.

The skin is a delicate barrier between the inside and outside of your body. It is also the body’s largest organ of elimination so keeping facial skin clean has to be done sensibly and thoroughly with consideration given to the skin's own needs.

Be very selective in what you use to clean and treat your skin. Read and research labels for certain chemical ingredients. These are harsh on skin that is already distressed, making the acne worse.

Most of the chemicals going into our toiletries are no different from the harsh, toxic chemicals used in industry.

For example, propylene glycol (PG) is a wetting agent and solvent used in make-up, hair care products, deodorants and aftershave. It’s also the main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid. Similarly, polyethylene glycol (PEG), a related agent found in most skin cleansers, is a caustic used to dissolve grease the same substance you find in oven cleaners. Isopropyl, an alcohol used in hair-colour rinses, hand lotions and fragrances, is also a solvent found in shellac. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), used in toothpastes, shampoos and just about every personal cleansing solution, is a harsh detergent commonly used as an engine degreaser. Too many of the toiletries and cosmetics we use are simply carcinogenic cocktails of hazardous waste.

There’s not enough room in this article to go too deeply into this subject, but just remember to check the label. The best soaps available contain pure glycerine, such as Castile soap in either liquid or solid block form.

Do not wash your skin excessively. Morning and evening is probably often enough

What to Avoid with Acne

Acne is also worsened by eating fried foods, carbonated drinks, refined sugar and refined flour.  So rather avoid these. 

Bread and refined sugar are often found to be responsible for upsetting the hormonal balance, especially at an age when the hormones are unsettled anyway. Test for candida albicans yeast infection) as it can manifest itself in many ways, including acne.

Look out for refined sugar creeping into your food - many items contain sugar, some tinned vegetables, for example, not to mention the more obvious ones like chocolate, colas, etc. Cutting out fats and dairy products would be another step forward. 

Replace them with plenty of pure natural water, raw fruit and vegetables, including nuts, seeds and avocados.  raw celery eaten in a salad or juiced, parsley, watercress and sprouted mung beans, sprouted alfalfa or sprouted wheat. 

Powder some dried rhubarb root and sprinkle two slightly heaped teaspoonfuls into 500 ml hot water.  Stir and use to wash the area frequently.  Do not rinse off.  Alternatively, place a cupful of marigold (calendula) flowers in a litre of cold water.  Bring to the boil and allow to cool.  Strain and use for washing affected area.  A cupful of elder flowers together with a cupful of elder leaves can be substituted for the calendula. 

Try applying Fullers earth at night before bed.  This will dry hard overnight.  Remove with olive oil in the morning.

Couch grass is gaining recognition as an effective purifier and also benefits rheumatism, skin conditions including acne, and eases inflammation.

Red acne

According to Ayurveda, red acne is aggravated by tomatoes, shellfish and hot spicy foods.  A person suffering from red acne is usually clear thinking, focused and gets things done.  Exercise in the early morning or evening.  Avoid the heat of the sun but a walk in the moonlight is beneficial.  Open windows at night and go to sleep before 10 pm is beneficial.  Eat plenty fresh fruit and salads especially from June to October when red acne may be at its worst.

Abscesses and boils

Abscesses and boils are treated with a cabbage leaf dipped in warm water and held in place with a crępe bandage.  Replace as required. Neat lemon juice will encourage the boil to come to a head.

When the boil is close to bursting,  a poultice can be made by cutting a baked onion in half and removing the onion core. While it is still warm, secure over the boil.  Keep in place until cool or until the boil has burst.  Then wash out the area with raw onion juice diluted in pure water. 

Honey (raw - not heated) is a great wound healer and antibiotic.  Mix with some flour to form a paste and apply to the wound. 

White pus

White pus filled heads can be reduced or eliminated by increased exercise and lightening the diet.  Spring sunshine is wonderful, especially in the morning - the earlier the better.  Going for a short brisk walk daily before 6 am. will help to improve the skin.  Do not sleep during the day and go to bed at around 9 pm.  Avoid ice-cream.  Eat your main meal at around 3 pm.

Dry acne

Dry acne responds well to keeping warm at all times.  You may also be prone to colds, flu, coughs, etc. Your natural food preference is warm soups, hot casseroles etc.  Fruit in the morning is good but a large freshly cooked lunch is essential.  Avoid cola and soda drinks, rich desserts, cheese and ice-cream.  A power nap after lunch is beneficial.  Eat lightly at supper time.

Pimples

Pimples can be dried up by applying the sap from Sow’s thistle frequently to the spot. To speed up the drying out of a pimple, apply toothpaste to the area before going to bed.

20 to 60 minutes (depending on intensity) daily in sunshine is beneficial.  Do not use creams, glasses or contact lenses during your ‘sun time’, but do take care not to burn.  You may prefer morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too strong.

From a herbal approach, make an infusion of some or all of these herbs... thyme, yarrow, camomile, catnip and lavender. Wash your face with warm water (no soap) and rinse off with this infusion, apply lemon juice to each spot and finish off by applying calendula ointment.

A regular massage of cajuput or juniper essential oil mixed with carrier oil may prove helpful.

Try this skin cleansing tea: 

• 1 cup each of melissa (lemon balm) leaves, mint, and red clover flowers.

• 1 cup each of burdock leaves and burdock roots

• 1/2 cup each of dandelion leaves and dandelion roots

• 1/2 cup of parsley - including stems

Rinse well and place in a large pan with 3 litres of cold water.  Slowly heat and boil for 5 minutes.  Switch off heat and allow to stand until cool.  Strain.  Drink a cupful three times daily, flavoured with honey and/or lemon juice.  Remainder may be stored in the fridge for a day or two, or used as a wash.

Chamomile tea is an easier approach. Drink regularly and wash the area in the tea frequently.

Taking responsibility for your own health is the first major step to recovery and the fact you are reading the facts about nutrition and the connection between acne and foods indicates you may be interested in investigating natural healing or alternative health solutions. If you are interested in learning more information take a look at Skin Disorders and Diet for more valuable advice and guidance.