Acne Relief

Posts Tagged ‘diet’

Way too often, when most folk’s think of acne and food, their first though is to the foods they think they have to avoid. Tastes like chocolate and French fries; donuts and cookies; and colas and coffee. Well, since I noticed my son’s complexion looked a little dull and I went out and spent a fortune at the supermarket on fruit. Today, I thought I’d bang away on my keyboard and talk about the foods that not only taste great and are good for you and your acne, but are also unprocessed and natural. That’s tight kids, fruit natures acne food. The trifecta of what’s good for you – FRUIT. What follows are a list of fruits you should most definitely include in your diet, particularly one that is geared towards getting rid of or preventing acne. The reason I have included them is because these actually are the fruits that I purchase at the market.

• Apples – It may sound like a lot but you should try to eat two or three apples every day. Apples are great for a healthy complexion. Wash them well and don’t be afraid to eat the skin as this is where most of the pectin resides which relieves constipation and is an excellent natural antioxidant. Apples are high in fiber and ascorbic acid, as well as minerals like; calcium, iron and potassium and vitamins A, B and C.

When I was young I hated apples. As a matter of fact I hated apples and potato chips. Those actually were the only foods that I disliked and it all was due to a pig out day I had when I was about 4 or 5 years old. The binge consisted of you guessed it; potato chips and apples. Well after getting sick and seeing the regurgitated mess on the floor. I never wanted to see much less taste another apple or potato chip ever again. So I guess I missed out on the acne benefits of apples when I was a teen. But that was probably evened out by the fact that I never ate greasy potato chips. However it’s amazing what a couple of decades will do, as I enjoy both foods today and get the acne food benefits of apples.

But I digress.

• Apricots – These summer stone fruits are a great source of vitamin B complex and E, minerals, fiber and beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A. They are helpful in the alleviation and reduction of constipation. Additionally the anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit also make its juice a great topical acne treatment. Particularly when applied to cystic lesions.
• Bananas –This probiotic fruit has been shown to help your body regulate the balance between good and bad bacteria, especially when it comes to the beneficial bacteria necessary to maintain optimal colonic function. By keeping this balance in check the bad bacteria are inhibited, thereby reducing the toxins which produce acne. Because this fruit contains live bacteria you should be careful not to overdo it and consider one banana a day a sensible limit.
• Blackberries – another great source for beta-carotene and natural antioxidants. Additionally it is one of the few fruits that contain vitamin E, which greatly enhance you immune system. These berries are a natural source for salicylate. They also contain the photochemical; ellagic and lycopen which prevent damage to and promote healthy skin cells.
• Blueberries – The healthful benefits of blueberries have been used in medical treatments for thousands of years. Is it any wonder? This fruit has probably the highest levels of antioxidant of any known food (the acai berry is giving it a run for the money). Research is also suggesting that one of the active elements of blueberries, Pterostilbene is a natural anti inflammatory. While it is more advantageous to eat fresh blueberries, frozen can be substituted.
• Cantaloupes – An excellent source of vitamin A, C, and a lot of other proteins and minerals which places them high on any list of fruits to improve acne or your complexion. As a matter of fact the high level of vitamin A in these melons makes it a no brainer for inclusion on this food for acne list. But it doesn’t stop there since it is also loaded with potassium. This allows injury to the skin caused by acne to heal much faster and its high folate content is beneficial in the maintenance and production of new cells.
• Cherries – These are my favorites, although they can get a little pricy. Like all the other acne foods we have discussed so far. Cherries are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for proper health and fitness. But what makes cherries special, is they are one of the few sources of food known to have melatonin. Melatonin which is naturally produced in your body’s pineal gland is an antioxidant that is necessary for the regulation of your biorhythms and sleep patterns. Which in turn insure proper regenerative rest and reduction of stress and the stress acne associated with it when an imbalance occurs.
• Figs – Have been around round since the time of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. This fruit was most likely the first dried and stored by mankind. They are extremely high in fiber; beneficial to digestion and pureed makes an excellent sweetener for cooking as well as a substitute for sugar. While they are low in vitamin C they are a great way to get B6. As a nutrient, B6 is probably necessary for more bodily functions than any other and is not a place where you want to be caught short.
• Grapefruits – Like most citrus fruits, grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C. But unlike its citrus cousins, it contains a phytonutrient lycopene. This antioxidant combats free radical damage in its quest to preserve your skins health, combat acne and ward off cellular damage due to aging. This fruit also contains Naringin, this phytochemical assists in the reduction of toxins in the liver, thereby leading to a better complexion. On the down side, Naringin can interfere with the livers ability to break down some drugs; divalproex sodium and aspirin just to name two. It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor and or pharmacist about grapefruit if you are taking any medications, either prescription or over the counter.

While this list of foods that fight acne is by no means all inclusive. It is a good start. I would of considered including; grapes, plums, strawberries, mangoes and raspberries. While the supermarket had them, I didn’t care for the way they looked, so they have been excluded. Of course, if you want to talk about them or any other of natures acne foods. Feel free to use the comment box.

It seems everywhere I turn someone is always imparting their idea of what are great tips for getting rid of acne. I guess around the neighborhood I am becoming known as the Acne Pro and get stopped to discuss the topic no matter where I am. Well after watching Letterman last night I have decided it’s time for me to add my 2 cents and do my own top ten list. So without further adu allow me to present my Top 10 List: Tips for Getting Rid of Acne

10.) Wear loose fitting cloth that allows your skin to breath.

9.) Avoid wearing makeup whenever possible and when you do try to stay away from oil based cosmetics. They are more prone to clogging pores.

8.) Get enough Zinc in your diet. Zinc is an effective antibiotic for preventing acne and a necessary element for the proper functioning of the sebaceous glands of the skin. Low levels of zinc can actually account for acne breakouts.

7.) Have a carrot. Carrots are great for your well being. You can add it to your diet raw, cooked or juiced and even use it as a facial mask for your complexion. They are high in vitamin A which is necessary for your skin but also an excellent antibiotic to help fight off acne.

6.) Use clean towels every day and change your pillow case every other day. Ok you caught me, this is really 2 tips for getting rid of acne in 1. But the point should be fairly obvious. Anything that comes in contact with you face should be clean. Reapplying yesterday’s bacteria by drying you freshly washed face with a soiled towel doesn’t make a lot of sense, nor does resting that face on a pillow case that hasn’t been laundered in days.

5.) Don’t over wash. The point of washing up is to remove the dirt, bacteria and grime of the day off your skin. Using harsh detergents and too much cleansing, does nothing more than dry out your skin, stripping your complexion of necessary oils and moisture which makes your condition worse.

4.) Properly exfoliate. It’s imperative to remove the dead skin cells from your skin so as not to allow a condition where the pores become clogged and bacteria is allowed to fester. But like tip number 5 for getting rid of acne, moderation is the key, once maybe twice a week.

3.) Keep your hair clean.

2.) Drink more water. This liquid is the secret fountain of youth.

And the number one tip for getting rid of acne is?

1.) Don’t pop your pimples. There really isn’t any good that can come from this practice so why indulge. For a little refresher see popping pimples.

Well there you have it kids, my top ten tips for getting rid of acne.

You really are what you eat. This means that if you have a problem with acne vitamins and mineral supplements may make the difference between getting your skin under control and suffering for most of your young adult life with outbreaks.

Vitamin A is used as a prescribed medical treatment for acne, not just as an acne vitamin. Marketed as Accutane or Retin-A, megadoses of a specific subtype of vitamin A have been proven to reduce the problem of acne in even the most stubborn cases. However, the dosage required can be dangerous in some cases. For instance, it can cause birth defects to the unborn children of pregnant women who take it. It also causes the skin to be especially susceptible to sun damage. It’s usually prescribed by a doctor only after other regimens have not worked. A course of therapy lasts up to twenty weeks in most people.

Over-the-Counter Vitamins for Acne

If you’re not ready to plunge into the Accutane world, there are several other acne vitamins you can supplement your diet with to promote overall skin health and to help reduce and even cure your acne problems. Ordinary vitamin A supplements, if not taken in too-high dosages, can produce many of the same effects as Accutane, but won’t carry the same side effects. Be careful to not exceed the recommended daily allowance.

Vitamin E is known to be a great vitamin for overall skin health, and it can help fight low-grade cases of acne. While most people take vitamin E by mouth, the capsules usually come in a gel-coated liquid form. The liquid inside each capsule can be applied directly to the skin, but those who have sensitive skin may find this to be irritating rather than helpful.

If you take acne vitamins E and A, you should also take a zinc supplement with them. Zinc doesn’t directly affect the skin, but it does enhance the absorption of vitamin A and helps keep the levels of vitamin E in the blood stable. Zinc, applied directly to the skin, can also kill surface bacteria. A high-zinc concentrate ointment, such as Desitin (used to treat diaper rash), can be applied directly to an acne lesion to reduce its appearance overnight.

Selenium and magnesium aren’t vitamins for acne, but rather trace elements that most people don’t get enough of. The effects of these two minerals aren’t completely understood, but selenium seems to improve skin elasticity, a useful effect when you’re drying your skin out with acne treatments. It also helps boost the effects of vitamins E and A. Magnesium helps balance out your hormones, which can reduce the impact of hormonal cycles on acne breakouts.

A high-quality acne vitamin supplement is called Acnezine, and it contains special nutrients that attack breakouts at their source and reduce the likelihood of future blemishes.

In addition to these specific vitamins for acne, a deficiency in any vitamin may be enough to cause an acne outbreak. Always take a good general vitamin supplement with your acne vitamins, and take all vitamins with a meal that includes an 8-ounce glass of water and some fats to ensure your body absorbs them properly.

Teen acne affects just about 90% of the world’s population…so chances are if you’re around puberty age, you’re gonna see some pimples or blemishes start to appear on your face. But don’t worry, treatments are available.

Acne in teens affects self-esteem and with severe cases teens don’t even want to leave their homes. Its effect is more on the inside than on the outside, causing emotional stress to many.

It hits teens so hard because the body starts to produce hormones called androgens at puberty. Boys produce more of them and tend to have more severe acne than girls. Androgens make the body’s oil glands work harder and produce extra oil. It combines with dead skin cells and seeps into the pores. This causes tiny hair follicles to swell. Researchers note it has nothing to do with your diet or how often you wash your face. That means that chocolate is not the culprit!

Preventing teen acne is easier than treating it and the first step is to make sure your face is clean…if you can try to wash twice a day with a mild cleanser. Don’t wash more than that, as that could send a message to your glands to produce even more oil.

You should avoid cleansing products containing alcohol, because it strips your skin’s top layer, which means your glands produce more oil and you end up with dry skin and the promise of more blemishes. Thus alcohol-free cleansers are the way to go.

Good advice for preventing acne in teens is to keep your hands away from your face. Even resting your chin in your hands is not a good idea because the bacteria causing acne is present on your skin all the time…but it’s not an issue until it gets trapped inside a hair follicle.

Resist the temptation to squeeze pimples because that usually creates more of a problem with teen acne. You may end up pushing bacteria deeper into the skin, causing the zit to last longer and look worse than if you had left it alone.

Another piece of advice is to shower right after physical activity that caused you to sweat. Take off the sweaty football or hockey helmet as soon as you can and don’t hang around in your team jersey after the game. Heat and friction combined with sweat can cause teen acne problems, so run to the shower!

Try the over-the-counter acne treatments until you find one that works for you. Then stick with it and use it regularly. One of the newer treatments for teen acne is called Acnezine and it is a special antioxidant formula that can fght blemishes from the inside out. You might want to look into this type of remedy if Clearasil and similar products don’t seem to do the trick.

If you have a severe case of acne and treatment is not working, make sure you consult a dermatologist. He or she will be able to determine the severity of the problem and suggest the right treatment option for your teen acne.