Natural Acne "Cures"

Pimples, zits, blackheads and adult acne do not have to be your legacy. For natural acne cures use natural foods, simple products and a healthy approach.



Acne can often be a physically and emotionally debilitating skin problem. Fortunately, natural acne solutions offer the chance to bring health and balance to skin challenges. No matter what you call it—severe acne, bad skin, blackheads—acne doesn't have to be your skin care future!
We will quickly move on to the topic of  holistic management of acne, but first, my natural acne "cures" disclaimer. As I mention on other skin condition pages on this site, in my nutritional practice, one of the things I never promise my clients is a cure for anything.

Holistic nutritionists don't diagnose or treat ailments. Rather, we work alongside clients to correct system imbalances (i.e. intestinal, digestive, endocrine) through lifestyle choices such as diet and supplementation. So while people often search for a cure, we prefer to help a client provide nutrients to the body that in turn, allow the body to correct imbalances and heal itself.

Are there natural acne cures? More likely there is a step by step process of better quality food intake, bringing proper balance to intestinal bacteria ratios, supplying supplemental support of essential nutrients, and eating in a way that keeps blood sugar and insulin levels fluctuating less severely.

In addition, the journey toward natural acne "cures" includes avoiding potentially harmful ingredients in soaps, face creams and shampoos and only using skin care products that support skin health and healing.

• Biochemical imbalance—acne generally appears as a result of an overproduction of sebum, oil produced by the sebaceous glands. Hormonally influenced, sebum production can increase during puberty and often cyclically with females of any age. Sebum's greasy characteristics mean it can attract acne-promoting bacteria. If the oil is thick, it and any trapped bacteria can become caught in pores and give rise to whiteheads. When sebum is exposed to air, it darkens, appearing as blackheads.
• Nutritional intake—both quality of nutrients consumed as well as those nutrients' impact on gut bacteria play a role in acne appearance and management. Unhealthy fats, medicated protein (i.e. animal products containing growth hormones) and refined grains and sugar can contribute to acne in at least a couple of ways.
  First, an intake of refined carbohydrates can produce insulin surges and insulin-like growth factors that in turn can lead to an excess of the male hormones—androgens—that cause skin cells to secrete sebum. Additionally, excessive intake of unhealthy fats, proteins and sugar can cause some of the body's organs (i.e. liver, digestive organs) to become overloaded. As those organs are less able to keep up with their purifying and detoxifying tasks, the skin—our body's largest elimination organ—is called in to help. Dietary intake of unwholesome foods also usually means insufficient intake of the nutritious foods that provide the zinc, vitamin A and B-6 that contribute to healthy skin.

• Eat sufficient unadulterated protein but avoid processed meats, pork, peanuts and seafood not certified mercury-free. Even raw nuts and non-medicated meat can contribute to acne for some individuals, however it is best to follow the Candida dietary protocol at first, if little or no improvement occurs, to then eliminate nuts and meat for a time.
• Eat a wide variety of both raw and lightly steamed vegetables.
• Eliminate all grains, sugars, fruit juices, chocolate, sodas and starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes, at least initially. These are the types of foods that can contribute to insulin surges. Once acne has improved, take the Dietary Needs Assessment to determine body type. At that point, small amounts of body type-appropriate grains and fruit can be re-introduced and, if there is no re-occurrence of symptoms, remain in the diet. Eat grains and fruit in modest amounts and always eat with protein and fat to slow blood sugar rises and moderate insulin surges.
  
• Eat 1-3 tablespoons/day of healthy fats and ensure essential fatty acid intake by eating omega 6 and omega 3-rich foods.
• Drink lots of clean water and, if desired, fresh vegetable juices. All other beverages including fruit juices, milk, caffeinated beverages, mineral water, soy or rice milks and alcohol should be avoided.
• Avoid hydrogenated fats, artificial sweeteners (i.e. Splenda/Aspartame) and non-fermented, non-organic soy products.
• Eliminate dairy products. Read labels to avoid any form of milk protein including casein and caseinate. Note that "natural flavorings" may include caseinate. When eventually reintroducing dairy products, use organic, raw and preferably fermented sources (i.e. kefir or yogurt). If you are concerned about calcium intake, recognize that good sources of calcium include kale, dried beans, most leafy green vegetables, Mission figs (avoid initially if dysbiosis is present), nuts and nut butter—particularly almonds and filberts—and seeds—particularly pumpkin and sunflower.

• Bee pollen (1-3 teaspoons. Good quality bee pollen is a readily absorbed whole food source of a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It is a healthful supplement for almost everyone but can be particularly important when dealing with skin issues. Dr. Lars-Erik Essen, a Swedish dermatologist, pioneered the use of bee pollen in dealing with acne and determined it seems to exert a "suppressive effect on facial acne". If bee pollen is unavailable or not tolerated, use a good quality, organic, green food product.
• Vitamin A (5000 IU day and up to, but no more than, 10,000 IU day; less if taking cod liver oil. Or use vitamin A's precursor, beta carotene if sufficient zinc and vitamin E—factors needed to help make vitamin A—are taken. With healthcare practitioner input can do higher dosage emulsified vitamin A: 300,000 IU for two weeks and then 100,000 IU a day for several months thereafter. Reduce or discontinue use if headaches or nausea appear.)
• Zinc (20-50 mg zinc gluconate or sulfate. Take in conjunction with other minerals such as those found in bee pollen or in a mineral supplement.)
• Vitamin B6 (50 mg. B6 is helpful for the proper metabolism of steroid hormones and can reduce skin's sensitivity to the effects of testosterone.)
  
• Range of B vitamins (while high amounts of particular B vitamins may exacerbate acne in some people, in general the B vitamins are very skin healthy and modest amounts—10mg-70mg—of the full B-complex should be taken on a regular basis.)
• Vitamin E (400-800 IU in the form with strongest therapeutic value— d'alpha tocopherol. Take the lesser amount if taking cod liver oil.)
• Digestive enzymes (per directions.)
• Probiotics (good quality, multi-strain per directions.)
• Essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and omega 6 oils are very important when dealing with skin conditions, with a 1.5-2.5 ratio of omega 6:omega 3 oils ideal for most people. For more EFA information and recommended amounts check the Essential Fatty Acids page.)
• Avoid iron supplementation—unless absolutely necessary—as iron can block absorption of minerals such as zinc.