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:
Successfully Reverse Acne with Naturopathic Medicine PR-CANADA.net (press release) Acne is an inflammatory process of the skin that usually occurs on the face, but may also occur on the chest and/or on the back. Acne can be a very painful ... Naturopathic Medicine Successfully Reverses Migraines Naturopathic Medicine Can Successfully Treat and Reverse Depression |
How to deal with adult acne Times Online Adult-onset acne is one of nature's crueller jokes. At least teenagers have smooth, young skin lurking somewhere; those of us with AOA have to suffer the ... |
 The Money Times | Treating acne with wrinkle eraser WKOW-TV.com Jack Arkins started acne treatments when he was in high school. "It would get better, but then it would kind of come back, that kind of thing. ... BOTOX® for Acne AGN: A Wrinkle-Free Investment |
 American Health and Beauty (press release) | Tips for Finding the Right Acne Treatment American Health and Beauty (press release) "The Doctors" offer some great insight into treatment options including a strong medication which may offer acne relief, but doesn't come without side ... |
 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. ... Acne drug Accutane can cause rare but potentially fatal reactions: Health Canada 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? |
Clinical Trials Update: March 10, 2010 BusinessWeek This 10-week study will evaluate three topical gels in people with moderate-to-severe facial acne. To qualify, you must be 13 or older and have about 45 ... |
Tretinoin Gel Can Be a Safe Alternative for Treating Preteens With Acne ... DG News MIAMI BEACH, Fla -- March 9, 2010 -- The use of a tretinoin gel microsphere pump appears to be effective in reducing acne that occurs among ... |
 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. ... |
New treatments emerge for acne and rosacea Pediatric SuperSite Jenny J. Kim, MD, PhD, said antibiotic therapy was the typical treatment for most acne cases in the past. However, mounting worry over the development of ... |
Arlington police seek bank robbery suspect with bad complexion Fort Worth Star Telegram Arlington police are asking the public's help in identifying a bank robbery suspect who has a severe case of acne. ... |
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