Acne is the most common type of skin disorders which affects people of all age groups, regions and genders. Acne appears on skin due to the clogging of oil and dead skin cells in pores of skin. The areas which mostly suffer from acne are face, back, chest, neck and shoulders.
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Acne can be caused due to a wide range of causes which include an unhealthy diet, hormonal imbalances, hereditary, overproduction of oil and several other reasons. Depending upon the severity of the acne problem acne can be cured by making a few changes in your diet, using natural remedies or consultation with your dermatologists. The steps which must be taken in order to avoid and treat acne problems and get a clearer skin are mentioned below:
Practicing good skin care
In order to determine which natural remedy or skin care technique is suitable for your acne to diminish you must be aware of the fact that which types your acne belongs to and how severe it is. Most of the people suffer from moderate acne but in some cases it can get server too in which the person has deep nodules, cysts due to which extreme swelling and scarring occurs. The types of acne include the following:
- Whiteheads: This type of acne is also termed as closed comedones and it occurs when your skin is exposed to excess oil (sebum) or dirt due to which this oil is trapped inside skin pores forming a white colored bump.
- Blackheads: When the pores of skin open up and the dirt and sebum appear on the surface of the skin then blackheads appear. The black color is due to the oxidation of a pigment in sebum known as melanin.
- Pimples: Also termed as pustules these acne lesions are formed when the excess dirt and oil get trapped inside the skin as a result of which inflammation, redness, irritation and swelling and sometimes puss is experienced. Puss is a thick liquid composed of white blood cells and dead bacteria which are formed as a response to infection and inflammation in the body.
- Nodules: The large and inflamed pimples which occur deep inside skin are termed as pimples.
- Cysts: The painful pimples which are filled up with puss and are deep inside the skin are known as cysts. This type of acne can often leave scars.
Once you are aware of the type of acne you are suffering from then it becomes easier to determine what solution you must adopt to cure your acne problems and have a better looking skin. Other skin care techniques which must be followed on daily basis are mentioned below:
Quit Smoking: Smoking can result in causing a type of acne which is termed as smoker’s acne and in this type of skin disorder the body does not responds to inflammation in a normal way and takes long to heal the skin. People who smoke frequently are most likely to suffer from moderate acne between the ages of 25-50.People can also suffer from irritation in skin due to smoke of the cigarette as well as other skin conditions like aging, wrinkles and premature skin.
Avoid touching your face: When you touch your face the dirt and bacteria present on your hands can result in clogging your pores and make your acne problems worse. If you sense irritation in your skin caused by acne then you must use an oil free facial wipe to make your skin feel better and remove unwanted dirt. You must take care and avoid squeezing or popping your blemishes so that scars are not developed. When you touch or squeeze a pimple it can also result in spreading the harmful bacteria further.
Choose the right cleanser: Cleansing your skin to make it free from dirt is extremely important and you must choose a cleanser which is mild and free from sodium laureth sulfate as it can cause irritation. Choosing a non-soap cleanser is advisable because it is free from harsh chemicals and they are composed of natural ingredients mostly. Using harsh soaps and scrubbing roughly can make your acne worse in addition to causing irritation.
Wash your skin regularly: In order to avoid acne problems and have a healthier skin you must wash your skin using fingertips twice daily. Rinse your skin thoroughly using lukewarm water and also wash your skin after you sweat as it can irritate your skin and worsen your acne problems.
Choose the right skin care products: Choose skin products keeping in mind your skin type. If your skin is dry and itchy then you must use an oil-free moisturizer and you must use an astringent only on the oily spots of your skin. If you want to buy an exfoliating product then consult your dermatologists before deciding which products to buy.
People who suffer from non-inflammatory acne problems such as whiteheads or blackheads then mild exfoliating products are the best solution to this problem. If you have dry and sensitive skin then you must not exfoliate your skin for more than two times a week and people having oily and thicker skin can exfoliate once daily.
Improving your diet
A healthy diet plays a very important role in making your skin look better and avoiding acne problems. There are certain foods which act as a trigger in causing acne and they must be avoided in order to have clearer skin. You must eat plenty of fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables and foods which are rich in vitamin A, C and E and zinc so that the severity of your acne problems can be reduced and your skin can get better. Some foods which are rich in vitamins are listed below:
- Sweet red peppers
- Kale
- Spinach
- Amaranth Leaves
- Turnip Greens
- Sweet Potato (Yams)
- Pumpkin
- Butternut Squash
- Mangoes
- Grapefruit
- Cantaloupe
Take zinc: According to studies conducted by medical officers it has been observed that zinc therapy is very helpful in healing acne problems. Zinc is an essential trace mineral which has rich antioxidant properties and helps in protecting the cells in our bodies from damage caused by viruses and bacteria. Normally most of the people have lower levels of zinc in their bodies and taking multivitamins can help you get enough zinc required by your bodies. The foods which are good sources of zinc are listed below:
- Oysters, shrimp, crab, and shellfish
- Red meats
- Poultry
- Cheese
- Beans
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin
- Tofu
- Miso
- Mushrooms
- Cooked greens.
The forms of zinc which are easily absorbed in our bodies include zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, zinc glycerate and zinc monomethionine.Zinc sulfate can sometimes cause stomach irritation so if it that happens you must consume some other form.
Take more vitamin A: IF you are suffering from severe acne then it might mean that your body has low levels of vitamin A as it is an anti-inflammatory substance which is responsible for balancing your hormonal levels and reduce over production of oil in your body. You can balance the amounts o vitamin A in your bodies by consuming healthy foods and avoiding unhealthy fats such as margarine, hydrogenated oils and processed foods.
Foods which are rich in vitamin A include carrots, leafy green vegetables, yellow or orange fruits. If you are taking a supplement for your vitamin A needs then the daily dose must be 10,000 to 25,000 IU. Consumption of too much vitamin A can lead to harmful effects such as birth defects so must take care of how much you are taking.
Take more vitamin C: Vitamin C can speed up the healing process which can help a lot in making your acne problems better and healing the swelling and inflammation caused by acne. It also helps in making collagen which is a protein responsible for repairing skin tissues, cartilage, blood vessels and healing wounds. You can also add foods in your diet which are rich in vitamin C content. Such foods include:
- Sweet red or green peppers
- Citrus fruit such as oranges, pomelo, grapefruit, limes or non-concentrated citrus juices.
- Spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts
- Strawberries and raspberries
- Tomatoes
Drink green tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants which have a very positive impact on the skin and it is also rich in anti-aging properties which will make your skin fresher and younger. In order to prepare green tea you will have to steep 2-3g of green tea leaves in a cup of warm water for up to 3 to 5 minutes and then consume it two to three times daily. Drinking green tea also has huge benefits other than preventing acne such as reducing the risk of cancer, weight loss, etc. Green tea also helps in protecting your skin from harmful UV radiation.
Natural remedies for prevention of acne
The best solution to your acne problems is the use of natural remedies including organic oils and raw products as they do not have any side effects on your skin and is easy to get. The most effective natural treatments for acne are mentioned below:
Use tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is widely used for its amazing benefits for skin conditions such as acne, wounds, infections and skin lesions. In order to apply tea tree oil to the acne affected areas of your skin you will need to dilute the oil into water before using it. After dilution apply 2-3 drops on your skin using a cotton pad. Tea tree oil must never be taken orally and you should also avoid exposing it to open air for ling as it can get oxidized and trigger allergies.
Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of jojoba tree and it is also known for its remarkable effects on skin and helps in preventing acne problems. Apply 5-6 drops if this oil suing a cotton pad and dab it gently on the acne affected area of your skin. This oil is similar to the sebum produced by our skin but it does not clog the pores and avoids overproduction of sebum as well. Jojoba oil is responsible for keeping your skin moisturized and fresh. If you have a sensitive skin type then you must consult your dermatologists before applying jojoba oil.
Use juniper oil: Juniper oil is famous for its natural antiseptic properties and it can also be used as a face cleanser and toner in order to clear blocked pores and cure acne problems as well as eczema and dermatitis. In order to treat acne apply 1-2 drops of this oil using a cotton ball after washing your face thoroughly. Using too much amount of this oil can cause irritation and make your acne worse so you must take care of this factor.
Apply aloe vera gel: In order to get acne free skin, apply aloe vera gel on daily basis. It is available n most of the drug stores but it is better to use raw aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is a succulent plant which has rich antibacterial properties which are extremely effective in treating acne problems and reducing inflammation as well. It also prevents bacteria from causing infections in acne wounds and heals the acne wounds quickly. If you feel that your skin is allergic to aloe vera gel then consult your dermatologists before applying it on your skin.
Use sea salt: Sea salt is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and protective properties which result in reducing acne of your skin and make it look fresh and clear. The sea salt facial mask also helps in reducing stress. While looking for a product containing sea salt go for a lotion or cream which contains 1% sodium chloride and apply it six times every day and let it stay on your skin for five minutes each time. People who are suffering from mild acne problems can use such products safely and for people having sensitive skin types they must consult their dermatologists first.
Seeking professional care: If the acne problem is server and natural remedies fail to cure them then you must seek the help from a dermatologists and he can suggest a treatment procedure.