Acne is a common problem for teenagers but it can often be bothersome even into the adult years.  Acne is a skin condition that occurs when pores in your skin become clogged.  Pores in our skin contain a hair follicle and an oil gland, when these glands over-produce oil (sebum), the pores become clogged.  Pores can also become clogged with the buildup of sebum, dirt and bacteria. 
This buildup presents as a whitehead, blackhead or cystic acne.  A normal production of sebum is needed to keep the skin naturally moisturized, so using products that are overly drying or repeated washing of your face is not recommended if you have acne.  Hormonal changes, diet, certain skin care products, make-up products, some medications can all contribute to acne.  Diets heavily reliant on processed or sugary foods have been found to worsen acne.

Here are some steps to lessen your acne troubles:

• Use a mild, hypo-allergenic, natural face wash to cleanse your skin.
• Make sure you wash your face after exercising and before going to sleep.
• Keep your hair out of your face, so that oil from your hair does not compound your acne issues.
• Avoid picking at and squeezing the pimples and touching your face repeatedly.
• Wash your pillow often, oil is absorbed by the pillow from your face and can worsen acne when the pillowcase touches your face again and again.

Make sure you have a good skin care routine using products that are hypo-allergenic, natural and organic.  Natural remedies can be just as powerful as prescription medications, without the harmful side effects.  Make sure your diet is nutritionally balanced.  A good multi-vitamin will help fill in any deficiencies your diet may leave your body with.  Vitamins that have shown to be effective in treating acne include – B Vitamins, Vitamin A, and Zinc.  B Vitamins help the liver with its detoxification processes, and Vitamin A is a wonderful antioxidant that can also help the body in cleansing itself of toxins.  Zinc is a trace mineral that helps with cell growth and wound healing.

Honey or castor oil applied topically or exfoliating with Epsom salts can help soothe acne flare ups and heal blemishes.  Herbal remedies are also a powerful way to treat Acne, herbs such as Vitex, Dong Quai, Saw Palmetto and Guggul are effective in helping balance our hormones.  Including herbs such as Milk Thistle and Burdock will help support liver function and aid in breaking down excessive levels of hormones.  Speak with your Naturopathic Doctor before you add in supplementation if you are on prescription medications to make sure there are no interactions!