Trying to avoid an acne outbreak is often a major concern for many teenagers and adults. Here we list the most common acne inducing foods plus offer some natural solutions to clear up any pimples.
Acne is a common skin complaint that most people suffer from at some point. It is estimated that 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will be affected by it in varying degrees.
Hormonal imbalances are partly to blame but food also plays a role in acne outbreaks. There seems to be that there are no common foods that have the same effect on every single person. For example, cheese may cause breakouts in one person but chocolate may result in an outbreak in another.
Here is a list of the most common foods that can trigger an acne breakout . To find out which foods trigger your particular breakouts simply try eliminating one or two foods at a time (for example eliminate dairy for one week, maybe greasy foods the next etc) to see if your skin remains clear or not.
If you want to make sure you don’t breakout, avoid all of these foods altogether as much as possible.
Here are 12 most common trigger foods for acne:
1. Fast Food
2. Chocolate
3. Soda
4. Cheese
5. Spicy Foods
6. Pizza
7. Potato Chips
8. Milk
9. French Fries
10. Nuts
11. Peanut Buter
12. Ice Cream
Many commercial solutions for acne involve harsh chemicals. Too much scrubbing or cleansing with harsh soaps or chemicals can actually irritate your skin and making the acne worse. If you over clean you can end up drying out your skin, which will then react by producing even more sebum, continuing the vicious circle.
Acne is not usually a serious health threat, it can be frustrating, and sever acne can lead to scarring.
Here are some natural remedies which can be used easily and effectively for clearer skin.
1. TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is a powerful essential oil. It is an effective antibiotic and antiseptic. It Works by disinfecting the pores and kills the acne causing bacteria.
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with an equal amount of water and apply using a cotton ball. Repeat three times a day.
2. BAKING SODA
Baking soda (also called sodium bicarbonate) can be a gentle and natural exfoliant for your skin, removing dead skin cells and unclogging the pores. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties so can ease the inflammation of breakouts. By helping to restore the natural pH of the skin it prevents future breakouts. It can be used as a skin wash or made into a mask for a more intensive treatment once or twice a week.
Skin wash – mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 5 tablespoons of pure organic honey and the juice of a lemon. Apply with gentle rubbing movements and leave on your face for five minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Skin mask – mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with warm water until it forms a paste. Leave it on for only 10 to 15 minutes the first few times as it may feel powerful and sting. You can gradually increase the time up to an hour or even leave it on overnight. Often results can be seen after just one use.
3.COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a great moisturizer but it also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. It helps to destroy the bacteria behind the acne breakout and reduce redness.
Buy unrefined organic coconut oil and just massage it into your skin two or three times a day – you will find your skin is clearer, softer and hydrated.
4. ALOE VERA
Aloe vera gel is very soothing on the skin and due to its’ natural anti-inflammatory power it can reduce redness and inflammation of the skin very quickly. It can also heal any scars from acne outbreaks.
You can buy aloe vera gel or use pure aloe vera gel from cutting open a leaf from an aloe plant and squeezing the fresh gel out. Apply the gel to your skin using clean fingers, repeating several times a day.
5. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Another great anti-fungal and antibacterial product. Use raw organic apple cider vinegar and make a solution of 2 parts ACV to 1 part water. Apply to the skin and leave for a few minutes before rinsing.
6. GARLIC
Garlic is a great oral antibiotic as well as a topical treatment. Use a thinly sliced glove of fresh garlic and rub onto any affected areas of skin. Allow the garlic juices to remain on the skin for 15 or 20 minutes before rinsing.
7. LEMON JUICE
Lemons have natural astringent and antibacterial properties to help clear skin pores and eliminate breakouts. The acidity will help harden the sebum. Simply apply few drops of lemon juice, or rub a slice of lemon on the affected zones and allow to dry for between 15 minutes to an hour before rinsing. Some people find this quite drying so only use every two or three days.
Or try mixing equal amounts of lemon juice with rose water for a great skin wash which can be used daily.
8. EGG WHITES
Protein rich egg whites make an ideal skin cleansing face mask. They naturally draw out any impurities and minimize the open pores as well as reducing the excess oil produced by troubled skin.
Separate from the egg yolk and apply with a cotton ball directly to the skin and leave for a minimum of ten minutes. You will feel it dry and tighten after just a few minutes. Remove with warm water to reveal a cleansed and glowing complexion.
9. CORNSTARCH
Cornstarch is particularly effective if you suffer a lot of redness and irritation as it is gentle and soothing.
Apply to affected zones or even to you entire face. For maximum effect leave on overnight and see the difference the next morning.
10. PAPAYA
Papaya is a common ingredient in many beauty products on the market today, owing to its’ anti-inflammatory qualities. Plain raw papaya is an acne remedy that removes dead skin cells and excess lipids from the surface of the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Papaya also contains an enzyme called papain, which not only eases the inflammation but helps prevent the pus from forming.
Apply freshly mashed papaya pulp to your face and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. If your skin has a tendency to get dry after you cleanse it, try mixing with some coconut oil (see above).
You are what you eat. Many foods are beneficial for our skin when we eat them. Be sure to include some of these in your regular diet, choosing organic where possible: fish oil, turmeric, green tea, nuts, berries (dark red and purple), green leafy vegetables and omega 3-eggs.
Limit your intake of sugar and processed carbohydrates and drink plenty of water.
Please share this information with others if you think people could benefit from this natural health information.
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