Acne can be pretty awful and somehow that zit always seems to pop up right before an important event. Luckily, there are preventive measures available to make sure the skin is always clear and glowing!
What causes Acne?
Acne is a sign from the body that something may be imbalanced - it could be related to diet, hormones, candida, or an overload of toxicity somewhere in the body. It can also be the result of using makeup products that are clogging the pores.
Western medicine prescribes quick-fix solutions to kill the bacteria as fast possible, resorting to potentially toxic pharmaceuticals. Most treatments could cause dryness and irritation, which could be ultimately ineffective in the long run. The harshly medicated soaps and ointments do not always address the root cause. For most people, the acne returns once they stop using the product.
The root cause of acne could be caused by inflammation from dietary and lifestyle choices. It can vary from an aversion to a certain type of food, lack of sufficient sleep or an overload of stress.
How Do I Prevent Breakouts?
Use A Natural Cleanser
Good quality cleansers help take off the makeup, dirt, and bacteria- so washing the face with a pure quality cleanser that doesn't have any additives or preservatives are really important. Cleansing is more than just cleaning the skin; it’s also the best way to prep the skin for other skincare products, i.e. toners and moisturizers. Personally, I use Dr. Bornner’s pure castille soap with water and an essential oil. Once a week, I use baking soda with it to exfoliate. These are “clean” products that worked well for me, but I encourage all readers to trial and error with what works best for their skin.
For moisturizers, try natural oils such as coconut, jojoba, or almond oil. They are rich in healthy fats and will not clog the pores.
Eat From the Earth
This may sound like a broken record playing, but eating clean can completely upgrade the quality of the skin. The body is constantly cleansing itself, but due to the constant exposure of toxins in the environment, it needs some help from the food that we eat. Eating lots of dark leafy greens, fresh fruits, and drinking plenty of water is key.
Fermented foods are vital to clear skin as well. Probiotics (healthy gut bacteria) from fermented foods help decrease inflammation and help with stress management.
Sauerkraut and kimchee are great foods to provide the microbiome with beneficial probiotics.
Stress Less, Sleep More
The one important thing that's always overlooked is good quality sleep. The body repairs the cells during sleep, so when this is interrupted, the skin isn't getting the time and rest it needs to regenerate properly.
When the body is constantly under pressure, the skin produces stress hormones, including cortisol. This can stimulate the oil glands to make testosterone that could increase oil production and clogs pores. It’s important to work out regularly, meditate, and take time out to focus on the body. All of these things will help to release stress, so the body doesn't continue to release hormones that will only harm the skin.
Because acne could be a result of a by-product of an imbalance in the body, there is also the possibility of a breakout. However, by modifying the diet, lifestyle, sticking with “clean foods”, staying hydrated and getting good quality sleep, the skin can start to clear up and help prevent future breakouts as well.