More Tips On How To Naturally Cure Acne

Hit by the condition, more and more people are seeking answers on how to naturally cure acne through the use of natural remedies.

And indeed, many who have gone this way have found much relief for their conditions. So be hopeful that your acne problem can be resolved the natural way.

In this article, we look at what works for acne, as well as some tips you can adopt in your daily life to deal with your acne.

Do skin care products for acne work?

Because of the prevalence of this condition in our modern society today, the acne treatment industry is thriving. Go into any store that carries skin care products, and you will usually see dozens of different products for treating acne.

Unfortunately, the skin care products for acne produce mixed results.

Despite what the TV commercials would have you believe, they are not nearly as effective as advertised. In the worse scenarios, they can actually make your problem worse.

Certainly, there are people who have gotten good results. However, these are the people who tend to have milder cases of acne.

Even a supposedly natural cream for adult acne, claiming to use only the best and most effective all natural herbal ingredients, may not always yield the desired results.

The reason why such external products for acne are moderately effective is simple. They only treat the symptom - i.e. the acne - rather than the root cause of the acne.

This means that even if your acne cream works wonders for you, chances are, the relief is temporary rather than permanent, especially if your condition is serious.

How to naturally cure acne - the critical factors

As we have often emphasized, changing your diet to ensure sufficient nutrition and reduce toxins is actually one of the most important step to take, if you want to say goodbye to your acne for good.

Of course, to speed up the process of healing, you could also make use of herbs, both taken orally and applied topically on the affected skin areas.

In addition, you could also adopt some of the below tips when dealing with acne.

What works - Holistic healing for acne

Using homeopathy for acne

Homeopathic remedies have traditionally been used for dealing with acne, especially in places like Germany and the United Kingdom.

The following are some homeopathic remedies [1, 2] that you may find useful:

• Calcarea Sulphurica - for those with cystic acne or chronic acne with yellow discharge.
• Hepar Sulphuris (Hepar sulphuris calcareum) - for those with pus-filled spots that are painful when touched or when pain is relieved with a warm compress
• Kali bichromicum - for those with chronic acne
• Ledum palustre - for pustular acne that feels better with cold applications.
• Psorinum - for those with severe and itchy infections at the acne-affected sites
• Pulsatilla (Pulsatilla pratensis) - for acne associated with hormonal changes during puberty, the onset of menstruation or menopause.
• Silica (Silicea) - for chronic white pustules
• Sulphur - for reddish inflamed acne pustules where there is itch or soreness and where heat and washing may aggravate the symptoms.

If your symptoms match the symptoms of the remedies above, you could use a 6x, 12x, 6C or 30C potency for 2 weeks. [1]

Be aware that during the recovery process, the homeopathic remedy could worsen your condition for a week, but it should clear up after that. This occurrence is normal and there is nothing to be alarmed about. [1]

If however, your acne problem is very severe and you see no improvements after 2 weeks, you should discontinue the remedy [1] and instead, consult a qualified practitioner in homeopathy to help you with your acne problems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for acne problems

According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body is healthy when there is balance at every part of the body, and when Qi (or essential life energy) and “blood” flow freely in the body. When external forces (e.g. weather changes, foods) or internal forces (e.g. emotions) upset the harmony and balance in the body, illnesses result [3].

As with the case of acne, pimple breakouts are actually a sign that the body is in imbalance.

There are some meridian points [4], such as the following, that you can try out using self-help acupressure to relieve your acne condition.

• DU Meridian 14 (DU14, 大椎)
• Large Intestine Meridian 4 (LI4, 合谷)
• Stomach Meridian 2 (ST2, 四白)
• Stomach Meridian 6 (ST6, 颊车)
• Stomach Meridian 7 (ST7,下关)
• Points of Head and Neck 5 (EX-HN5, 太阳)

Nonetheless, since identifying the root cause(s) and pattern(s) of your bodily imbalances is a rather complicated diagnostic process, yet a very crucial step in your treatment, for greater effectiveness in dealing with your acne condition, it is best that you consult a trained TCM physician or acupuncturist.

This is especially the case if your acne problem is rather serious and you have fotund no relief through any of the self-help methods discussed here or elsewhere.

During your consultation with the TCM practitioner, he or she will identify the cause(s) behind the imbalance(s) and the pattern or syndrome of your bodily imbalance(s), and help you correct the imbalance(s) using treatment methods like herbal formulas, acupuncture, moxibuction etc.

More tips on how to naturally cure acne

Preventing the spread of infection

Do not squeeze your pimples. Doing so increases the risk of infection and making your problem worse.

If however, you were unable to resist picking at your acne, you can prevent the spread of infection by bathing your face with a lotion made from a teaspoon of calendula tincture and a glass of cold water. [5]

Always make sure that your hands are clean before touching the areas of your skin affected by acne.

Ensuring the cleanliness of your skin

Wash your face and acne-inflicted skin regularly (maximum of 5 times daily [5]), but take care that it does not become too dry.

Make use of natural ingredients and herbs to clean your face and skin, rather than products containing harsh chemical.

Change your pillowcases regularly and wash them in chemical-free (including no added fragrance and colours, to which some may be allergic to) detergents

Using herbal steam bath for your face

Some therapists recommend steam baths for your face (or even body) to reduce acne inflammation and infection [5]. Steam baths help to open and drain pores, heal acnes and prevent breakouts [6].

You can create your own facial steam bath at home by pouring boiling water into a bowl containing lime flowers (for detoxification), sage leaves (for detoxification), lavender (for healing) [5], or yarrow (for healing) [6].

With the bowl placed on a table, sit with your face a comfortable distance above it (about 12 inches away), enclosing the bowl and your face using a towel, so that the steam from the boiling water can be concentrated on your face. Steam your face for as long as is comfortable for you, but never beyond 15 min [5, 6].

After the steaming session, apply a natural toner to close the pores on your face.

If your acne is severe, use a facial steam bath 2 to 3 times a week. If your acne is mild and occasional, use the steam bath once a week to prevent outbreaks. [6]

If you need a steam bath for your body, not just your face, then you can try soaking in a hot tub filled with Epsom salts, to improve your blood circulation and detoxification. Remember to give yourself a good rinse after that. [1]

Using makeup when you have acne

Avoid the use of greasy creams or cosmetics, since acne problems are usually a result of excessive sebum (or your natural oil) in your skin pores.

Make use of natural cosmetics and skin care products as they contain fewer chemicals and will do less harm to your skin in the long run.

Remove any makeup thoroughly at the end of every day, using a natural cleanser, toner and moisturizer. You can make your own natural toner (which can be very effective) by mixing equal parts of rose water and witch hazel herbs. [5]

Establishing a healthy lifestyle

Stress can affect the health of your skin and cause acne outbreaks, by disrupting hormonal balances, interfering with digestion and detoxification. As such, effective stress management on a daily basis is important in reducing incidences of acne breakouts. [1]

Beside stress management, it is also important to get enough rest and sleep. [2]

Make sure that you also get enough sunshine, fresh air and exercise.

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References

[1] Balch, James F., MD, and Stengler, Mark, ND. Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, and More. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2004. Print.

[2] Trivieri, Jr., Larry, and Anderson, John W. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. 2nd ed. New York, USA: Celestial Arts, 2002. Print.

[3] Bratman, Steve, Dr. Complementary & Alternative Health: The Scientific Verdict on What Really Works. London, UK: Collins, 2007. Print.

[4] 石学敏主编. 针灸学. 普通高等教育 “十五” 国家级规划教材. 北京：中国中医药出版社. 2002

[5] Reader's Digest. The Reader's Digest Family Guide to Alternative Medicine. NSW, Australia: Reader's Digest, 1992. Print.

[6] Gottlieb, Bill. Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems. Rodale, 2000. Print.

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