Natural Remedies For All Skin Types of Acne

HOW IS ACNE CAUSED




Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units. Found over most of the body, pilosebaceous units consist of a sebaceous (oil) gland connected to a hair-containing canal called a follicle. These units are largest and most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest--areas where acne tends to occur. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle.


Normal Pilosebaceous UnitAcne is believed to result from a change in the inner lining of the follicle that prevents the sebum from passing through. For reasons not understood, cells from the lining of the follicle are shed too fast and clump together. The clumped cells plug up the follicle's opening so sebum cannot reach the surface of the skin.




The mixture of oil and cells causes bacteria that normally live on the skin, called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes that can cause inflammation. (Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to disease or injury and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.) When the plugged follicle can no longer hold its contents, it bursts and spills everything onto the nearby skin--sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria. Lesions or pimples develop as a result of the skin's being irritated.




People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions. The basic acne lesion, called the comedo (kom-e-do) or comedone, is simply an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. This lesion is often referred to as a microcomedo because it cannot be seen by the naked eye. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo or whitehead. Whiteheads usually appear on the skin surface as small, whitish bumps. A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called a blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.




Other troublesome acne lesions can develop, including the following:


Papules--inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch.


Pustules (pimples)--inflamed, pus-filled lesions that can be red at the base.


Nodules--large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin.


Cysts--deep, inflamed, pus-filled lesions that can cause pain and scarring.






Acne is a tremendously embarrassing and burdensome problem. It is easy to feel that you don't have control over your breakouts. But the fact is, you do. Now, your first response may be to assume that I'm going to recommend you see your dermatologist. Well, think again. Natural remedies can be just as effective and medications. Possibly more powerful. Sometimes, all your body needs is the right nutritional balance and proper skin care. Here are some easy things you can start doing today to help you heal your acne. You should notice a difference in about 4 weeks.





Apply a honey mask

to your face once or twice a week - Honey has antibacterial properties so it is great for disinfecting and healing minor blemishes.It is also gentle on sensitive skin.






Wash twice a day with acne soap

- You should wash your face twice a day with a sulfur based soap designed for acne. Once when you first wake up in the morning and then, right before you go to bed at night. Be extremely gentle to your skin when washing - do not scrub or use any sort of rough cloth. Overwashing your skin will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, thus increasing your acne.





Keep your hair off your face -

If you have long hair or bangs, pull your hair off your face. Your hair contains oils as well, and will contribute to your breakouts. You'll also want to wash your hair everyday and after workouts






Take a potent multi-vitamin -

Acne can be a sign that something is wrong on the inside. Your skin depends on nutrition. It is a vital organ that is usually neglected. If your body is not receiving the right nutrition, it will fight back. One common way it will rebel is to produce excessive sebum, clogging pores, and reducing the ability for your skin to heal and fight bacteria.







Include chromium in your diet -

Chromium is well known for weight loss diets. But it is also excellent for healing infections on the skin. Taking a chromium supplement once a day will help heal your pimples quickly and prevent future breakouts.






Eat carrots for beta-carotene (Vitamin A) -

Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and actually prevents acne. It helps reduce sebum production. This vitamin is essential for the maintenance and repair of the tissue which the skin and mucous membranes are made of. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant needed to rid your body of toxins. Did you know that a deficiency in vitamin A can actually cause acne?






Avoid wearing makeup -

Leaving makeup products on your skin only contributes to clogging your pores, causing more pimples and blackheads. If you feel you must wear makeup, be sure it is water-based.






Drink 8 glasses of water -

Drinking water is essential for clean skin and your overall health. Water is essential for carrying waste material out of your body... and is quite possibly flare-ups
Do not pick or squeeze your blackheads and pimples - As tempting as it may be, do not squeeze, scratch, rub or touch your pimples and blackheads. Do any of these actions, actually increases the sebum production. Plus, when you squeeze, you are actually rupturing the membranes below your skin, causing infection and sebum to spread underneath your skin. The result is more pimples.






Wash your pillow case every other day

- Your face lays on your pillow case every day. Your pillow case absorbs the oils from your skin and reapplies the dirt and oil. Thus causing breakouts. Keep your sheets and pillow cases clean.






Eat foods rich in zinc -

Zinc is an antibacterial agent and a necessary element in the oil-producing glands of the skin. A diet low in zinc can actually cause acne breakouts.







SKIN TYPES

There is a very simple test for identifying your skin type. Simply peel a single-ply sheet from a tissue and gently pree it to your face. When you remove the tissue if you see a greasy residue you have oily skin; no residue indicates dry skin. Try testing patches of your shin to see if it varies from an area to area;



Different Skin types




Normal Skin

This is the type of skin we all aspire to have but few of us are blessed with. Skin naturally is healthy and vibrant (just look at the complexions of young children), but time and modern living take their toll. A good skin care routine helps to redevelop the natural balance we all once had.




Grapefruit and Glycerin Mask
Glycerin is an emollient (lubricant). Combines with grapefruit for cleansing and toning, it creates a face mask that cleanses, rehydrates and tightens the skin.



InGredients::

2 tbsp (30 ml) liquid Glycerin
1 tbsp (15 ml) coarsely grated grapefruit peel
2tbsp (10 ml) fresh grapefruit juice (optional)
2drops grapefruit essential oil




TO MAKE::
Mix the glycerin with the grapefruit peel. If the mixture is very sticky,either heat the glycerin slightly by adding a teaspoon of boiling water or add some grapefruit juice. Add the essential oil and mix throughly untill it forms a thick past. Keeps for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.



TO USE::
Apply evenly over the skin, avoiding the eye area. If using it direct from the refrigerator, allow to warm slightly or the consistency will be too thick-- it should be like honey. Laeve it on for at least 20 minutes and rinse, using the grapefruit peel to rub the skin and gently exfoliate.







OILY SKIN

Teenagers often suufer with skin type, which can lead to blemishes and acne. If we work too hard to strip the natural oil (sebum), a natural counteraction will occur and more oil will be poroduced. This condition is known as seborrhea. Gentle cleansing, regular steaming and an occasional deep-working face mask is the best way to treat this type of skin.



Aloe Vera and Rose Hip Mask

Aloe vera has healing properties for pimples and italso moisturizes and cleanses. If you have an aloe plant you can actually cut a frond and squeeze a small amount of juice from it to apply to the skin. Rose hip is astringent and a light cleanser.


InGredients::

1 tbsp (15 ml) strong rose hip infusion
4 tbsp ( 60 ml) aloe vera gel= ( Make sure that it's pure)
2 drops rosemary essential oil



To Make
Make up the rose hipinfusion. Gradually stir the infusion into the aloe vera gel. You are looking for the consistency of loose gel-you may not need all the infusion. Then add the essential oil ( for stimulating and antiseptic properties) and mix thoroghly.


To USE
This gel should be applied cold direct from the refrigerator. The coolness will have an excellent tonic effect and it feels wonderful when it slides onto your skin. You should remove it when it has warmed to the skin; this mask will not dry much.







DRY SKIN

Dry skin is often flaky and can crack and become extremely uncomfortarble.Psoriasis and eczema are severe forms of dry skin. I would try to avoid the steroid creams that you may be prescribed by your doctor for such conditions. Your body can develop a kind of immunity to these so the strength has to be increased and eventually they may become totally ineffective.


Banana and Honey Rehydrator
Nourishing banana provides intence moister and gives a delicious rich fragrance to this mask. Honey is soothing and nourishing.


InGredients::

1 ripe banana
2 tbsp (30 ml) acacia honey
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh live natural yogurt



To0 Make
Mash the banana with with a fork, add other ingredients and mix thoroghly. If you have a blender, use it! Make sure the honey is warm enough to disperse through the other ingredients. Honey should be kept at room tempature; it'll crystallize in the regrigerator.



To USE
Apply in generous quantities over the face and neck. Do not apply in a steamy bath becase it'll slide off!! Allow to dry (15 minutes or so) and remove. You can also use this preparatoin over sluggish areas such as thighs.