One of the first things you should consider when trying to tackle a problem with acne is how well your bodies systems are functioning. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is pretty good at signalling when there is a problem within your body. The mistake that most people make is that when they get acne they start to treat the spots on the outside. Your body is trying to tell you there is a problem on the inside. If your bodies systems are not working well, or you are not giving yourself the right nutrients this will be reflected in your skin.
Our modern lifestyle exposes us to pollution, stress and toxins. We add to the problem with poor diet, high in fats, sugars and alcohol. Is it any wonder our bodies start to struggle? Our digestive systems clog up and the lymphatic system which removes toxins becomes overstretched. The result of this is our whole system becomes sluggish and our skin suffers. Hormonal changes causing over production of sebum (the natural oils that lubricate the skin). blocked pores And increased levels of bacteria feeding on the sebum and causing inflammation.
Normally our bodies can deal with all three, but when the systems are not working to their full capacity things begin to break down. Since acne is so hated by sufferers there is a massive market of topical creams and lotions to "cure" acne. Most only give temporary relief and some, if used long-term, can make the problem worse. You will probably be better improving your diet and giving your body a chance to do what it can do well. The first thing to do is increase the amount of water your drink. All of our organs and bodily functions rely on water to work efficiently. Unfortunately most of us are continually slightly dehydrated.
You should aim to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, and increase this if you live in a hot climate or if you take physical exercise. This one action could lead to healthier skin along with other benefits such as more energy and better digestion.
Secondly look at your diet. Try to cut back on processed foods that contain added fats, salt and sugar. Increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet. This will immediately increase you intake of essential nutrients and the amount of fiber you consume. Thirdly you might consider a detox to kick-start your body's recovery. I do a monthly mini detox by having a fruit and veggie weekend. From Friday evening until Monday morning I eat nothing but fruit and steamed vegetables. I feel really terrific for doing this and it really isn't a great hardship. I have rediscovered a whole array of vegetable that are really delicious when cooked simply.
The result of these actions will be to strengthen your systems and remove the toxins and mucus from your digestive tract. This will allow you absorb more nutrition which in turn allows your body to work efficiently. The effects on your skin should start to show after a week or two, and the great thing is they will be long-term benefits. If you need some help in detoxing your body there are many supplements on the market that will help the process. Just be a little careful which you choose. I would always go for an herbal detox supplement that will work in harmony with your body.
As your skin begins to improve you can be confident that it is a sign your body is healing. You are expelling any toxins. And you are becoming a generally healthier person. Just be prepared to act if your skin gives you any further signals that there is a problem inside.
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