Beat Acne Naturally

Healthy Life's Tips for Beating Acne the Natural Way

Healthy Life Naturopath Marissa Malvaso said acne was the most common skin complaint among her customers and clients.

"Acne affects most Australians at some point in their life but it's most prevalent among teenagers, with the skin condition mainly caused by the increased production of sebum due to hormonal changes during puberty. Stress, a poor diet and lack of exercise can also contribute to breakouts. While hormones are an inevitable part of being a teenager, there are a few ways that teens and young adults can help manage their acne from sipping a soothing tea to drawing on the antibacterial qualities of tea tree," Marissa said.

Whether acne is persisting into adulthood or students want some help soothing spotty skin ahead of their school formals, here are Marissa's top ten tips to battle breakouts inside and out.

Keep hydrated
Your complexion will always improve with adequate water intake. The recommended daily requirement is 6-8 glasses.

Switch up your diet
The skin is the last organ in the body to receive the nutritional benefits of the food we eat, so healing from the inside out is key. In many cases poor dietary choices can overwhelm the eliminatory organs making them sluggish, which in turn pushes toxins out through the skin. Dairy products and foods that are high in sugar, fried or heavily processed, can create inflammation as they cause blood sugar and insulin levels to spike, resulting in hormonal fluctuations. A wholefood diet with an emphasis on a rainbow of different coloured fresh fruit and vegetables assists the body's own detoxification channels.

Exercise daily
Working out does wonders for your skin by cleansing your pores through sweat. It also releases 'feel good' hormones and decreases stress.

Cleanse every day, but don't overdo it
It's important to thoroughly cleanse your skin every day but be careful not to over wash as it can cause irritation by upsetting the skin's natural PH levels. Thursday Plantation Face Wash harnesses the antibacterial power of tea tree oil to gently remove sebum excess and Weleda's Gentle Cleansing foam is a gentle facial cleanser. The Jojoba Company's Oily Skin Balancer can be applied in between cleansing and moisturising to help reduce oil production in people with oily, combination and breakout-prone skin. If skin isn't inflamed, you can exfoliate gently with Acure Brightening Scrub a few times a week.

Regularly apply a clay mask
Bentonite clay binds to toxins and draws them out of the skin, doing all the dirty work for you. Mix 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay powder with 1 tablespoon of water and apply to your face for 20-30 minutes (or until the mask starts to crack) once a week. Redmond Clay also make a pre-hydrated mask.

Have an emergency 'zit kit'
Tea tree oil is a great local antiseptic to use as a spot-on treatment or Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Acne Gel is a good go-to product, just ask Meghan Markle. Apple cider vinegar is another natural remedy that you're likely to already have in the pantry. While The Jojoba Company's Blemish Control Serum combines aloe vera, nettle and burdock extracts with the natural anti-bacterial activity of totoral and lavender to balance sebum secretion. For bad breakout days, Weleda Skin Food takes away redness in no time – even after a squeezing frenzy.

Check your vitamin levels from A-Z

Studies have shown that vitamin A reduces sebum production and helps prevent the onset of teenage acne, while a Zinc supplement such as Fusion Zinc Advanced can support wound healing and the regeneration of tissue.

Take a good probiotic
Research has proven that the lactobacillus and bifidobacteriia cultures in probiotics are beneficial in the treatment of an array of skin conditions including acne. Ethical Nutrients Inner Health Plus (dairy free) offers a good combination of these strains.

Add burdock root to your diet
The root of the burdock plant contains plant chemicals known as polyacetylenes which have anti-fungal and antibiotic qualities. Burdock root has also been found to support the body's ability to rapidly process toxins and flush them out of the system, while promoting a happy hormonal balance and healthy skin. You can incorporate burdock root into your weekly diet as a vegetable, tea or supplement such as Herbs of Gold Clear Skin.

Stay cool, calm and collected
From mint to lavender, nature is full of soothing and cooling remedies that can help ease redness and calm hormones. Planet Organic spearmint tea is calming and cooling on the body and can balance hormones reducing flare ups, while Love Tea make a beautiful Skin Glow tea which is detoxifying. Lavender oil can also calm and reduce redness. Keep skin moisturised and soothed with Aloe Vera gel and Jojoba oil and remember to apply sunscreen before long periods in the sun.

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