It can start with puberty, that time of raging hormones that cause the skin's sebaceous glands to over-secrete oil, getting plugged up and inflamed. Add to that the tendency of many young people to consume all sorts of junk food, grease, sugar, chocolate, things that we've been told again and again are bad for us but hey, they taste great so who cares, right? After all, when we're young and feel we're going to last forever we believe we can always clear up our faces later. They have all sorts of products on the market that are supposed to clear up acne and make you beautiful, so you can go right back to filling up on fries and greaseburgers again with impunity. Trouble is--many of those products don't work. Basic face washing and keeping your (also-washed) hands off your face do as much, if not more, good--and don't cost a bundle. A really sound measure, rather than going broke on all the products that supposedly will clear your skin, is to be more careful what you put in your face, not just on it.
The first thing to do is ensure you drink plenty of water; hydration not only flushes toxins out of the body, it helps keep skin moist and wards off future wrinkles. A wise dermatologist once said, "The skin shows on the outside what's going on inside." Drinking coffee, cola, and alcohol will dehydrate you and do to your skin what drying out does to a prune. Sun exposure--a prevalent problem here in Los Angeles, what with our near-constant great weather--has that result as well. In addition to the danger of skin cancer, it will shrivel you up like leather if you sunbathe too much. Other factors include stress, lack of sufficient sleep, smoking, allergies, and often just inheriting a tendency to bad skin. With the exception of the last item, causes of bad skin can be eliminated or changed.
As opposed to oils for frying, omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to skin. Foods such as walnuts,salmon, tuna, flaxseed, are rich in this antioxidant that strengthens cells and moisturizes skin from within. Additionally we all need antioxidants for their propensity for warding off cancer and other diseases. Egg yolks, despite their bad reputation for containing cholesterol, contain sulphur, which helps clear the liver of toxins that would otherwise show up in the form of bad skin. Another natural skin moisturizer, olive oil, is renowned for its antioxidants. It's not just the skin that gets the good stuff, though: the entire body is aided by antioxidants that kill off free radicals and renew cells' youth.
Apples, reported to keep doctors at bay if eaten daily, are another good measure in the internal make-over process. The peel contains quercetin, a flavonoid that reduces skin inflammation and makes it less sensitive. Cranberries, too, contain flavonoids that improve the blood vessels' quality and help circulation; they have also been noted to lessen redness associated with rosacea.
Vitamin C in general is reportedly good for the skin as it detoxifies the liver and kidneys, the body's internal filtration system. This, in turn, assists the skin, the other (external) filter. Vitamin C is also well-known for promoting healing, especially needed in cases of skin infections. Hibiscus flowers, used primarily in tea blends, are well-known for soothing skin. (NOTE: Hibiscus should NEVER be used by pregnant women.) It can also be used externally, in the bath or topically on the skin.
The skin is the largest of the body's organs, and the face, especially, is a very sensitive area. Whether you're a teenager with the agony of a multitude of pimples or a baby-boomer still breaking out when you eat chocolate, don't give up. Be diligent about what you eat and drink, cleanse your skin gently daily, and you'll notice the changes.
For Angelenos seeking natural acne treatment, try checking out this link for Cedars-Sinai:
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