Many health conscious acne sufferers are now realizing the downfalls and side effects of pharmacological and chemically based acne ‘solutions’ – and are turning to holistic acne treatments to rid themselves of their unsightly blemishes. Yet there is such a plethora of information available, it’s sometimes difficult to weed out the ‘snake oil’ remedies and find those holistic acne protocols that really work.
In reference to healing, the term ‘holistic’ generally refers to a philosophy of medicine that looks at the entire body as the sum of its parts – each delicate system interdependent. An imbalance of one system can disrupt the body functions as a whole. Therefore, a holistic approach will investigate well beyond symptoms and look ‘upstream’ to discover what imbalance is actually causing your symptoms. In terms of curing acne a holistic protocol will incorporate an entire spectrum of methods and modalities which include several different categories. All of these modalities work synergistically to prevent and cure acne without chemical intervention. And the best part is that they are, for the most part, initiated and controlled by you. When using a holistic acne treatment, you are taking a pro-active approach to your own healing that will eventually result in beautiful clear skin. So, the next time a pimple even ‘thinks’ about breaking out on your skin, try nipping it in the bud with the proven, natural solutions listed below.
1.) Homemade Holistic Acne Treatments – ‘Oldies’ Thought To Be Acne Cures
Many people believe that homemade remedies for acne can’t possibly be acne cures. Among many of the so-called medical skin care experts, homemade treatments for acne are thought to be merely old wives’ tales and not scientifically proven. Perhaps this is so – the scientifically proven part, that is. Nonetheless – the reason why those old wives were talking so much and passing along information for generations about how to cure acne, is because they conducted their own ‘scientific’ studies – they experimented, observed the results, and experimented again until they had their own proven methods for curing acne. These holistic acne treatments are still viable today, and can stand up against even the most ‘scientifically advanced’ drug based acne treatments
When utilizing
natural cures for acne, you are literally tapping into the wisdom that previous generations painstakingly earned. Please consider this – the only reason there is no scientific data to validate the efficacy of natural acne cures is that
is no funding
for any such studies. Merely because medical science won’t invest money in official research studies to prove their efficacy, doesn’t mean that these holistic acne remedies don’t work. Therefore, by incorporating your own natural remedies for acne into your skin care regime, you will not only become acne-free and save tons of money; you will also play a pro-active role in shifting the paradigm belief that the only way to prevent and cure acne is with harmful drugs.
Listed below are our top 5 choices (in no particular order) for holistic homemade acne treatments. Though there are literally hundreds of effective acne treatments that can be found in your kitchen cupboard, the options we’ve listed below are our top rated choices for safety and efficacy. Used alone, or in combination, these time-tested holistic acne solutions will quickly put you on the path to blemish-free skin.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – tried and tested for generations, Apple Cider Vinegar is known to have powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Used externally, dabbing blemishes with an ACV saturated Q-tip several times a day will help stave off bacteria and soothe skin eruptions. Used internally, 1 tablespoon of AVC in purified water will help to alkalize and detox your body and ease the internal inflammation that can contribute to acne breakouts.
Lemon and Honey Mask – though a bit messy and sticky, this mask is, nonetheless highly effective in treating acne-prone skin. Used 2-3 times/week, the anti-bacterial and moisturizing benefits of honey, combined with the alkalizing and anti-bacterial properties in lemon provide a 3 pronged approach to maintaining a flawless complexion.
Tea Tree Oil – also known as Melaleuca oil is a potent and powerful essential oil native to Australia. It has been used traditionally as a topical antiseptic and anti-fungal remedy and, as such, is an extremely effective acne treatment – especially for those acne sufferers prone to oily skin.
Tea Tree Oil is to be used only externally – 5 percent Tea Tree Oil as a spot treatment will help dry up existing blemishes and ward off new infections. It can also be added to your favorite natural moisturizer for more lasting oil and blemish control benefits throughout the day.
Colloidal Silver – a colloid consisting of silver particles suspended in liquid, colloidal silver was commonly used by physicians in the early 20
th century as an anti-bacterial agent incorporated into wound dressings and creams. Though its use in the medical arena was phased out in the 1940’s with the advent of modern anti-biotic drugs, it has made a comeback in recent years throughout the holistic medical community. As an all natural acne treatment, colloidal silver can be used topically to effectively kill the bacteria associated with acne breakouts. Though a bit more controversial, some holistic health care professionals also recommend the internal use of Colloidal Silver as part of a complete holistic acne solution.
We recommend that you consult your alternative health care practitioner in this regard
Bentonite Clay – also known as Montmorillonite, this miraculous healing clay is by far our favorite holistic acne treatment. Derived from volcanic ash, bentonite clay has the unique characteristic of producing an electrical charge upon hydration. When mixed with liquid, the clay swells – and through its electrical attraction, draws and binds toxins and impurities from the body. When used as a clay poultice, bentonite is incomparable for detoxifying the skin making it an ideal acne treatment. It is also safe to use internally as an acne preventative to eliminate toxins, chemicals and heavy metals while alkalizing the body simultaneously.
2.) Cure Acne from the Inside Out With Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments
Everyone has heard the old saying – ‘you are what you eat’. We will take that even a step further to include ‘you are how you live’. This holds especially true if you suffer from acne. No amount of creams, lotions or prescription drugs will compensate for years of poor dietary and lifestyle habits. Truly, the most effective holistic treatment
for curing acne from the inside-out is making the commitment to your overall health by reducing inflammation and eliminating toxins. Listed below are our top ten ‘To Do’s’ for a lasting, beautiful and blemish-free skin
.
Adequate and Appropriate Hydration – About 2 liters (8-9 cups) of purified water per day is optimum – more if you consume caffeine or alcohol, as both these substances are dehydrating. Also, please be mindful that the more alkaline the water, the better as acidic water is not absorbed well by your cells and can contribute to inflammation. Without the proper amount and type of water, acne promoting toxins cannot be properly eliminated from your body.
Avoid Sugar – Undoubtedly one of the most challenging lifestyle habits to change, but also one of the most critical. Sugar consumption (even in small amounts) can wreak havoc on your insulin levels and cause acidosis in the body, which in turn results in inflammation and acne breakouts. Stick with low-glycemic natural sweeteners such as Stevia and Xylitol (derived from Birch).
Consume More Greens – Organic, green, leafy vegetables contain the antioxidants necessary to fight acne and maintain healthy, glowing skin. Additionally, they help promote alkalinity in the body (especially when eaten raw). Drinking a dehydrated organic green drink or preparing organic green smoothies in a blender is a fantastic way to get the recommended amount of these vegetables into your daily diet to alkalize, detoxify and promote clear skin.
Increase Healthy Fats – Contrary to popular belief the consumption of fats is necessary for fighting acne. Healthy fats such as fish oil, krill oil, olive oil, avocados, and coconut oil do wonders for reducing inflammation and keeping your hormones balanced, which is also a critical component for acne–free skin.
Reduce Coffee Intake – Coffee can be one of the biggest contributing causes of acne in some people. Yet, it is also one of the most difficult habits to break. On the surface, it’s hard to make the connection between coffee consumption and acne. Coffee, itself is extremely acidic – leading to inflammation. It can also contribute to a B vitamin deficiency, which affects stress management (see below). Unbridled stress causes inflammation and hormone disruption. All of this adds up to the perfect storm for acne to rear its ugly head.
Take Care of Your Gut – A disruption of your intestinal flora (good bacteria) can certainly manifest in acne breakouts. The wide spread use of anti-biotics and the prevalence of processed food consumption has left a good portion of people with an imbalanced inner eco system. Without the appropriate amounts of good bacteria in our gut, food cannot be properly digested and toxins cannot be eliminated. This can lead to a host of health problems, not the least of which is skin disorders such as acne. It is critical for blemish-free skin that good bacteria be replaced through the use of probiotics and fermented foods.
Go Organic (as much as possible) – The pesticides that are rampant in non-organic produce can cause some pretty severe allergic reactions in many people resulting in acne and other skin disorders. These are toxic substances that the body cannot eliminate easily, so often they wreak havoc on the skin. Pesticides are also estrogenic and can disrupt hormone balance big time, another leading cause of acne breakouts. It’s vital that you choose as much organic food as your budget will allow.
Minimize Stress – As indicated earlier, stress can be a major factor in acne breakouts. If left unchecked, excess stress hormones (Cortisol, Adrenaline and Epinephrine) can make fighting acne a losing battle. Effective stress management via exercise, meditation and yoga combined with some of the dietary guidelines listed here will do wonders for your skin, as well as your overall health.
Optimize Your Sleep – As part of your acne preventative protocol a good night’s sleep is not an option. A minimum of 7-8 hours of quality sleep is an essential part of any health regimen. In reference specifically to acne – it may also be necessary to adjust your sleep position in order to maintain blemish free skin. Often times, the natural oils on your scalp collect on your pillow and can contribute to clogged pores and the resulting acne blemishes. Therefore – one of the simplest
holistic acne treatments can be to switch your sleep position and utilize a face pillow
to prevent blemish breakouts and maintain a clear complexion.
Switch to All Natural Skin Care Products – The discussion of lifestyle adjustments as a
holistic acne treatment would not be complete without mentioning the use of
all natural skin products as a critical component of this protocol. The amount of chemical toxins contained in most commercial skin care products and cosmetics is staggering. According to the campaign
for safe cosmetics it is estimated that the average woman applies (between skin care, hair care and cosmetic products) over 500 chemicals to her face every day. Many of these harsh chemicals cause skin sensitivities and for people suffering from acne, these substances can exasperate the condition. For this reason, it is imperative that a proper holistic acne treatment regimen include only the most pure and natural skin care products.
3.) Look ‘Upstream’ – Seek the Help of Alternative Health Practitioners
Though the above guidelines are extremely effective in ridding most peoples’ acne breakouts, there may be some cases that require the assistance of an alternative health care professional. Sometimes, your body’s imbalances can be a bit complicated and the intervention of a qualified holistic health practitioner is needed to sort everything out and get you on your path to healing.
It is important to note – that it is critical to choose a holistic health care professional that is highly skilled in looking at the body as the sum of its parts rather than just treating symptoms. Our inner eco system is extremely delicate and if one part is not functioning as it should, it can throw off the entire balance. A properly trained holistic health practitioner will be able to diagnose these imbalances through appropriate testing and thus, treat what is really at the root core of your acne affliction.
Luckily for us, holistic medicine has taken a strong hold in recent years. As such, it is much easier to find qualified health care practitioners. There are now numerous highly skilled Acupuncturists, Naturopaths, Homeopaths and Functional M.D.s in most communities.
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