Acne is often associated with adolescence, years that are full of many physical changes, but acne that occurs after the age of 25 is less common and can be devastating to an individual's self image. Acne is a result of sebum (oil) that is under the skin becoming trapped at the follicle opening. A wide variety of factors can contribute to the creation of this blockage under the skin, but many natural treatments are available to relieve the symptoms of acne, or even eliminate them completely.
Causes
Acne that develops in adults over the age of 25 often begins internally. From hormone imbalances to nutritional deficiencies and food allergies, a wide spectrum of different factors can cause symptoms of acne and skin disorders. Discovering the causes behind the eruptions on the skin will require some observation of daily diet, hygiene and areas of the face that have consistent breakouts.
Foods that are high in sugar, highly processed or full of chemicals and hormones, such as milk, meat and cheese, are common stimulus in developing acne for many adults. The trans-fats and sugars will pool throughout the body and create a reaction that produces breakouts. Non-organic meats and dairy are packed with hormones, preservatives and other harmful chemicals that are used to increase commercial production. These additives, when ingested, can alter the pH balance as well as the hormonal balance of natural systems within the body.
Hormonal imbalances create blemishes that are often cystic, large in size, and are located on areas of the face that are bony, such as the jaw line, cheek bones and the sides of the forehead. Small, white and black pimply blemishes are often a result of food allergies, or sometimes a lack of proper cleansing on the skin's surface.
Natural Treatments
When treating a disease such as acne, simply treating the topical symptoms will not eliminate the eruptions from reoccurring. Zinc is a mineral that aids the immune system in the healing process, and is deficient in many people's diets. Magnesium is another similar mineral that aids in healing, but also absorbs hormones in the body that are at high levels, and eliminates them out of the body, as well as helps the body absorb zinc into the blood. These two minerals can be supplemented into the diet along with vitamin B-5, or Pantathonic Acid which supports the adrenal glands as a starting point for acne treatment.
Water is our great advocate when we are looking to cleanse naturally, and it becomes essential when treating acne. Proper hydration will allow the skin to retain proper moisture balance from within, and adequate fluids will eliminate toxins that accumulate within the liver and colon. Herbal teas are an ideal addition to daily fluid consumption, when infused with healing and cleansing herbs such as dandelion, artichoke, thyme and milk thistle. Consume seven eight-ounce glasses of filtered water daily. Drinking one or two eight-ounce glasses of warm water upon waking in the morning before breakfast, combined with organic lemon, will immediately stimulate cleansing as well as promote proper function of the liver, gall bladder and colon.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments can aid in healing the blemishes on the skin, and avoiding long-term scars. Tea tree oil is extracted from the Australian Melaleuca tree. The leaves of this tree contain constituents called terpenoids that have qualities with antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, and can prevent bacteria within the blemish to spread or become infected. This oil is available readily at health food markets. Neem is another holistic oil that has been used for centuries in India in treating wounds, lesions and abrasions. Benzyl peroxide is a chemical treatment available at supermarkets that has successfully been used to dry blemishes quickly, as well as stop bacteria from spreading. Be cautious with benzyl peroxide, as it is very drying and can bleach towels and clothes.
After cleansing properly with tea tree oil, lavender oil, neem or other gentle cleansers, a good clay mask will help cleanse and fortify the skin with minerals. Green clay, red clay, white clay and pink clay masks all have different cleansing properties. Green clay is best suited for acne, as it draws toxins out of the skin and reduces the inflammation caused through eruptions. Use an organic green clay mask one to two times per week to effectively remove toxins from deep within the pores, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Moisturizing is an essential aspect of skin care. Many assume that drying acne blemishes will happen more quickly if moisturizing is kept to a minimum, but this actually tells the skin to produce more sebum, resulting in further blemishes. The key to moisturizing is choosing quality ingredients that promote balance and moisture retention. Organic oils that create pH balance on the skin are jojoba oils, hemp seed oil and olive oil. Antioxidant-rich alpha lipoic acid, DMAE and fruit extracts are also very good options for moisturizing properly and healing the skin, producing radiant results.
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