Acne: Natural Solutions for Clearer Skin

By Staff
Updated on May 15, 2017
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Natural Solutions for Acne:

Acne is frustrating, I get it. As a teenager and young adult, I was plagued with acne as many of us are at some point in our lives. I tried everything, from washing my face with nothing but water to popular commercial acne cleansers, and harsh multi-step systems and nothing worked. I was resolved to believe that it was my skin and there was nothing I could do about it. Then something amazing happened when I wasn’t even trying. I started eating healthier and using natural skin care products and one day I realized my skin wasn’t breaking out as much, and eventually, it was completely gone. I still get an occasional pimple here and there but I have the natural tools to help knock them out quickly. If you’re struggling with acne I highly recommend taking a look at your diet and adding these natural options into your skincare routine.

Acne is one of the most common skin issues, affecting 80% of the population at some point in their life. Although typically not a serious health condition it’s often the source of embarrassment for many people. Acne occurs when follicles become clogged with oil and infected with Propionibacterium acnes bacteria.

Types of Acne:

There are several types of pimples that can occur and the most common are whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts.

  • Whiteheads are small white pimples under the surface.
  • Blackheads are pimples that occur on the surface of the skin and have a black appearance. Contrary to popular belief this black appearance is not dirt but the infection.
  • Cysts are painful pus-filled pimples that go deep into the skin. These types of pimples can cause scarring.

Acne is a frustrating condition, and understandably there is a desire to take care of this problem quickly. In search of a quick fix or “magic cure,” it is one of the most common misuses of conventional antibiotic. The idea is to kill the bacteria however in a world full of antibacterials it is becoming increasingly difficult to colonize beneficial bacteria. The skin is covered with a layer of bacteria that helps to protect our bodies from infection. Unfortunately when we take the approach to “kill all the bacteria” we open our self up for invasion. We should instead be taking an approach that nourishes our skin and protects our beneficial bacteria.

Another problem often seen with acne treatments is the use of harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin strip away the natural sebum from the skin surface. Although with oily skin the first thought may be to get rid of the oil, however, this is counter productive. When you strip the natural oils from the skin it signals your body to make more. This, in turn, can cause an overabundance of oil production which in turn clogs your pores.

Natural Solutions:

Luckily there are plenty of natural options that have been shown to be very effective in the treatment of acne.  Skin nourishing botanicals and essential oils can really come in handy in this process.

Topical Solutions:

Tea Tree and Lavender Spot Treatment

Combine

  • 1 oz  Jojoba Oil
  • 15-30 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
  • 45-60 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Combine the jojoba oil and essential oil in a dropper bottle and apply 2-3 drops to the face and neck daily for 45 days to relieve current breakouts and prevent future breakouts.  Use as needed for spot treatments.

(For ages 13 and up)

Why jojoba oil?

Jojoba oil is a wax that most closely resembles our skin’s natural sebum. Jojoba oil can help to balance our skins own sebum production without leaving a greasy feeling on the skin.

Using a gentle cleanser that nourishes the skin instead of stripping away all beneficial oil and bacteria is helpful when dealing with acne. Choose a soap that is natural with minimal ingredients, skin nourishing oils, and free of harsh additives and preservatives.  Many of my clients have seen improvements in their skin by making this simple change. Our Charcoal Face and Body Bar is a great option for sensitive acne prone skin, with detoxifying charcoal, and tea tree and lavender essential oils.

Internal Support:

Because our skin is thought to be a reflection of our liver function, improvement may be seen with the supplementation of liver supporting herbs like milk thistle.

When using natural options it’s important to remain consistent and manage expectations. Although there may not be an immediate improvement the moment you apply your topical treatment, switch soaps, or start taking milk thistle, you’ll begin to heal your skin in a healthy and natural way with consistent use.

Ready to Learn More:

Grab a copy of my e-book, Essential Oil Love, for additional ideas. Inside you’ll learn how to incorporate essential oils into your products, and some great easy to follow recipes.

After you’ve made this recipe, stop over at the Well:Body Living facebook group to post a picture and let us know how it turned out.

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