Plugged pores in our skin cause acne. When hormones in the sebaceous glands (microscopic glands in the skin which secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair of mammals) of the skin clog you can develop blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Although they are most common on the face, chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms and back, pimples can erupt anywhere on our bodies.
Acne can appear at any age but is most common among teenagers. It is considered a chronic skin disease. As much as I try to preach to my teenagers that acne originates from their bad eating habits, they don't want to listen and cut out sugary, fatty foods and excess starches. Naturally, these are all of their favorite foods! Acne can also result from chronic constipation, which also results from an improper diet.
There are some home remedies that you can try to help your ailing teen that are both inexpensive and effective.
In a quart of purified water, boil 50 gm of raspberry, strawberry or blackberry leaves. You can use them individually or make a mixture of the different leaves. Let boil for about 3 minutes. Remove from the stove and let cool. Once it has cooled try applying it directly onto the affected area. This formula will soothe the skin and relieve itching.
Another great acne home remedy is to make a mixture of natural, unsweetened yogurt and fine oatmeal. Form a thick paste with these two ingredients. Apply the paste to the affected area and let it dry on the skin. After the paste has dried, use lukewarm water to rinse the area. Then pat dry with a warm, dry towel.
The aloe vera plant is touted for its many benefits. Among them it is a wonderful acne home remedy. For the best results, extract the gel directly from an aloe vera plant by snipping a small piece off of a leaf and squeezing out the gel. Apply it to the affected area of the skin and let it absorb. However, if you are not able to obtain an aloe vera plant, the market is filled with soaps and gels that contain aloe vera. Try to find one that is 100% aloe vera gel with no additives or chemical preservatives that may irritate the skin further.
The zest of the orange can help acne. This is one of our favorite home remedies for acne. The results are fabulous. Zest a portion of an orange and mix with a tablespoon of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon powder. The mixture should form a paste. Apply to the affected area of the skin at bedtime and wash off the next morning.
My daughter likes to use this daily acne wash. She whips it up herself and uses it when she has an eruption. Mix a few tablespoons of white flour into 8 oz of milk.
Remember, the best way to try to control acne is through diet. Cut out excess sugar, refined carbs and foods that are high in saturated fats. If your teenager is not willing to relinquish any of his/her favorite foods, rest assured that the acne will most likely not follow them into adulthood!
Try these acne home remedies in the meantime for some short term relief of the problem!
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, I completely changed my lifestyle, dropped almost 50 pounds and began a regimen of complementary treatments to support my immune system and get my body healthy again. It is one year later and I am feeling great. Please visit my website. There you will find lots of total cleanse information and health tips.