Calming Teenage Acne: How to Smooth Troubled Skin with a Holistic Approach... 7 Key Steps
To calm teenage acne the skin must be balanced both internally and externally. Getting back to nature from the inside out can rebalance the glands, keep the skin bacteria-free, and allow it to heal more quickly. The world's oldest home acne remedies rely on herbs, essential oils (yes, oils), and ancient relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation and soft martial arts. Teenagers can take control of their acne and create smoother, clearer skin through small yet powerful lifestyle changes. This holistic approach to solving teenage acne problems addresses the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. The 7 keys to smoothing troubled skin are:
1) Treating skin problems is an inside job. The skin is considered the third kidney, as it is another organ of elimination that the body uses to externalize oils and toxins not excreted otherwise. Acne can be affected by the food you eat. Although no foods have been proven to cause acne in all sufferers, some people have adverse reactions to nuts, fats, fried foods, milk products, fried and oily foods and chocolate. Experiment carefully and eliminate the offenders.
2) Clean up your act. Hygiene is really important. You can benefit from washing your face 2 or 3 times a day. If you wear make-up be sure to wash it off completely every night. Use a mild, unperfumed cleanser. Add one drop of juniper oil and one drop of lemon oil to about 1/4 cup of cleanser. Essential oils have antiseptic properties that help keep bacteria in check. Keep hands and hair clean as well and always try to keep hair off of face.
3) Don't get too clean. Avoid using soaps or cleansers that dry out the skin or cause redness. Although people with acne and oily skin have an aversion to applying moisture (oil) to the skin, any skin needs a little oil to protect and lubricate it. To try and remove all oil only starts a vicious circle, as the glands try to produce more to replace what has been lost. Avoid using alcohol as an astringent because it over dries the skin. Witch hazel solutions are more effective astringents.
4) Vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, and zinc are helpful for acne. Check with your doctor for the proper dosages. Too much can be dangerous. Some studies suggest that 135 mg. zinc is as effective as antibiotics (tetracycline) for treating acne.
5) Use an herbal treatment. Take tincture of myrrh, dilute it in a small bowl of water, and use a cotton ball or pad to wipe your face. Myrrh's antiseptic and astringent properties can both treat and prevent acne. Use daily. Another treatment involves steaming your face or putting a compress on it (for 10 minutes) with a special essential oil solution. To very hot water add 2 drops juniper oil, 2 drops bergamot oil and 2 drops lavender oil. Either cover head with a towel and steam face or place soaked cloth over face. Splash skin with cool water afterwards and apply a tiny bit of oil mixture.
6) Make a natural toner. You can use any natural toner without chemicals or perfume. Witch hazel mixed with equal parts of strong chamomile tea is excellent. Add to a pint of your toner 2 drops of juniper oil, 2 drops of bergamot oil and 2 drops of lemon oil. Use toner after cleansing face. The essential oils help rebalance the glands and protect the skin from bacteria.
7) Emotional turmoil can wreck havoc on the skin by disturbing digestive and endocrine functions. Acknowledge emotions without indulging them. Research has shown that people with acne have higher levels of anxiety and anger than others. Relaxation exercises may help lessen this tension and help develop an inner beauty as well. Consider yoga, meditation, or soft martial arts for a cosmic beauty beyond cosmetic beauty.
Karen Cohen is wellness coach living in rural Virginia. Karen began her lifelong study of herbs and essential oils as a young teenager. A mother of three children (10, 16, and 24) she has helped them all have healthy skin the holistic way. An expert yoga, meditation and fitness instructor, Karen is available for individual and group coaching, seminars and dynamic workshops internationally. She can be reached at 540/570-4791 or at http://www.RockbridgeMag.com
MORE RESOURCES:
A New Concept for Acne Therapy: A Pilot Study With Zileuton, an Oral 5 ... Archives of Dermatology 2 Recent study findings indicate the potential involvement of the arachidonic acid pathway in the development of inflammation in acne and provide logical ... |
"Complete Acne Handbook": Top 25 Articles on Treating and Preventing Acne PR Web (press release) Acne is one of the most common—and frustrating—skin conditions, affecting men and women of all ages and skin types. Here's a look at the Top 25 articles ... A Beauty Handbook for Radiantly Healthy Skin |
 CBC.ca | Community Assignment: Have you experienced a reaction to the acne drug Accutane? CBC.ca By POV Rare but potentially fatal skin reactions have been found in people using the popular acne drug Accutane, Health Canada recently announced. ... Accutane linked to severe skin disorders, Health Canada warns Acne Drug Accutane's Side Effect Is Death. So Why Is It Still on the Market? HEALTH NEWS |
Accutane cases continue to grow in wake of landmark settlement Newsome Law (blog) For the past few months, the number of reports of illnesses allegedly caused by the prescription acne medication Accutane has been growing. ... |
 Brandweek Magazine | New Ads Explain the Science Behind Clearasil Brandweek Magazine Until now, Clearasil—best known for its acne-fighting properties—has been a favorite among teens. But according to Reckitt, 18- to 21-year-olds tend to use ... |
 Nassau Guardian | Skin ailments multiplying Nassau Guardian "In the past you didn't see too many problems . . . simple acne, dandruff, or people with hereditary skin problems but today, the ailments are multiplying ... |
 CBC.ca | BC joins birth control class action lawsuit CTV.ca The brands have been heavily promoted as a contraceptive that can also help control acne as well as the symptoms of PMS, or premenstrual syndrome. ... Important News for Women Taking Yaz and Yasmin Women suing Bayer over birth control pills Vineland woman at centre of birth control suit |
 New York Times | A Family Affair, From Acne to Arthritis New York Times ... is a gentler reworking of the farcical 1989 movie with the same title, and is mostly a coming-of-age drama for all ages, from acne to arthritis. ... |
Bandits rob two Coast chemists Gold Coast Bulletin News He is described as being in his early 30s, Caucasian, 178cm tall, with a slim build, fair complexion and acne scaring. He was last seen wearing a pale blue ... |
Bad reaction to medication nearly killed teen KSL-TV SALT LAKE CITY -- A delayed allergic reaction to a common acne drug could have cost a Utah teenager his life. One day last month, ... |
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