| When it comes to acne treatment, many | | | | Changing your eating habits may be the simplest |
| sufferers often fall into trap of rushing straight for | | | | yet most effective way of actually reducing your |
| over-the-counter medication as their first point of | | | | acne. Eating the right type of vegetables is crucial |
| call. They fail to realize that often times an | | | | for this to succeed. Eat plenty of dark green and |
| alternative and sometimes more effective solution | | | | orange vegetables so as to maximize your beta |
| is readily available - homemade acne remedies. | | | | carotene intake. Beta carotene, or Vitamin A in |
| Why should I even consider them as a solution, | | | | layman's terms, is an excellent skin food and aids |
| you ask. Well, there are a plethora of reasons | | | | in achieving a healthy complexion. Ensure that |
| that support such remedies as the best possible | | | | vegetables are eaten steamed or lightly cooked |
| answer to your acne problems. | | | | so the nutrients and fibre are retained. Reduce |
| For starters there are many documented side | | | | your meat intake to only once daily and ensure |
| effects that often accompany the use of | | | | you eat high-yielding proteins, better if they are |
| conventional medications, largely caused by the | | | | high in omega-3 fatty acids. Cold water fish or oily |
| common active ingredient benzoyl peroxide. Some | | | | fish like tuna and salmon are great examples. High |
| people with sensitive skin may experience rashes | | | | coloured fruits also yield good benefits so long as |
| or swelling upon prolonged use, while others may | | | | you steer clear of extremely sweet fruits. Sugar |
| suffer from blistering or even scaling of skin in | | | | and simple carbohydrates (like fructose) |
| rare instances. With homemade acne remedies, | | | | encourage sebum production in your glands and |
| such side effects are of no concern, since no | | | | also feed bacteria and yeast. In terms of sugar |
| harmful or foreign chemicals are introduced. | | | | 'potency', fructose is up to 6 times worse than |
| Additionally, treatments with pharmaceutical | | | | glucose, so monitor the sweetness of fruits you |
| creams and ointments do very little at addressing | | | | eat. |
| the underlying cause of acne, rather focusing only | | | | 3. Harness the benefits of essential oils |
| on the superficial treatment of the symptoms. On | | | | One homemade acne remedy that is often |
| the flipside, homemade acne remedies are | | | | overlooked is the use of essential plant oils. You |
| effective because they focus on a holistic solution | | | | cannot stray too far from tea tree oil if you want |
| that will not only cure acne but also ensure that | | | | a good natural antiseptic. The good thing is, unlike |
| the body is provided with adequate defences to | | | | other commercial skin antiseptics, this will not |
| prevent future breakouts. | | | | cause irritation or dryness. Apply 5 drops of a |
| Here are my 4 tips on how to use homemade | | | | 5-15% solution in diluted water to a cotton ball |
| remedies to combat acne: | | | | and then dab directly onto affected area. |
| 1. Drink certain tea(s) regularly | | | | Alternatively, you can use peppermint essential oil |
| A Chinese favourite, Chrysanthemum tea is | | | | for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic |
| perfect as a first step to treat acne. It is believed | | | | and antiseptic properties. To use, apply a couple |
| to dispel body heat and relieve body toxicity. To | | | | of drops to a piece of cotton wool and instantly |
| make this tea, add 6 to 8 g of dried flowers | | | | run a bit of water over it to dilute it slightly. Dab |
| (readily available from Chinese pharmacies) to 2-3 | | | | directly on the site of acne. |
| cups of boiled water. Let the flowers steep for a | | | | 4. Maximize the benefit of certain seeds & |
| few minutes, then strain the liquid. Drink it | | | | nuts |
| regularly throughout the day. Used alone, it usually | | | | Many do not realize that seeds & nuts need |
| takes 6 to 8 weeks for acne to clear. A great | | | | not simply be a supplement but a major player in |
| accompaniment to this is a tea concoction brewed | | | | an anti-acne diet regime. Nuts are not only |
| with a combination of nettles, dandelion root and | | | | bursting with micro-nutrients like zinc and iron, but |
| herb, rosehip, grangula bark, senna leaf and anise | | | | also contain vital antioxidants such as selenium |
| fruit twice daily. Use an equal ratio of the plants | | | | that destroy skin ravaging free radicals. Good |
| and fill a tea ball with the mixture. The tea is | | | | examples of these are Brazil nuts and walnuts. |
| ready for drinking after the plants have steeped | | | | They come with additional benefits as well. Raw |
| in hot water for 5 minutes. This is an excellent | | | | almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds are also a |
| homemade acne remedy that helps in | | | | good source of skin-healthy vitamin E and |
| detoxification and blood purification. | | | | essential fatty acids (please do not let the name |
| 2. Revamp your fruit, vegetables and meat intake | | | | scare you). Ground flaxseed will provide you with |
| mix | | | | adequate fibre that helps in relation oil regulation. |