Calming Teenage Acne: How to Smooth Troubled Skin with a Holistic Approach... 7 Key Steps

To calm teenage acne the skin must be balanced both internally and externally. Getting back to nature from the inside out can rebalance the glands, keep the skin bacteria-free, and allow it to heal more quickly. The world's oldest home acne remedies rely on herbs, essential oils (yes, oils), and ancient relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation and soft martial arts. Teenagers can take control of their acne and create smoother, clearer skin through small yet powerful lifestyle changes. This holistic approach to solving teenage acne problems addresses the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. The 7 keys to smoothing troubled skin are:

1) Treating skin problems is an inside job. The skin is considered the third kidney, as it is another organ of elimination that the body uses to externalize oils and toxins not excreted otherwise. Acne can be affected by the food you eat. Although no foods have been proven to cause acne in all sufferers, some people have adverse reactions to nuts, fats, fried foods, milk products, fried and oily foods and chocolate. Experiment carefully and eliminate the offenders.

2) Clean up your act. Hygiene is really important. You can benefit from washing your face 2 or 3 times a day. If you wear make-up be sure to wash it off completely every night. Use a mild, unperfumed cleanser. Add one drop of juniper oil and one drop of lemon oil to about 1/4 cup of cleanser. Essential oils have antiseptic properties that help keep bacteria in check. Keep hands and hair clean as well and always try to keep hair off of face.

3) Don't get too clean. Avoid using soaps or cleansers that dry out the skin or cause redness. Although people with acne and oily skin have an aversion to applying moisture (oil) to the skin, any skin needs a little oil to protect and lubricate it. To try and remove all oil only starts a vicious circle, as the glands try to produce more to replace what has been lost. Avoid using alcohol as an astringent because it over dries the skin. Witch hazel solutions are more effective astringents.

4) Vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, and zinc are helpful for acne. Check with your doctor for the proper dosages. Too much can be dangerous. Some studies suggest that 135 mg. zinc is as effective as antibiotics (tetracycline) for treating acne.

5) Use an herbal treatment. Take tincture of myrrh, dilute it in a small bowl of water, and use a cotton ball or pad to wipe your face. Myrrh's antiseptic and astringent properties can both treat and prevent acne. Use daily. Another treatment involves steaming your face or putting a compress on it (for 10 minutes) with a special essential oil solution. To very hot water add 2 drops juniper oil, 2 drops bergamot oil and 2 drops lavender oil. Either cover head with a towel and steam face or place soaked cloth over face. Splash skin with cool water afterwards and apply a tiny bit of oil mixture.

6) Make a natural toner. You can use any natural toner without chemicals or perfume. Witch hazel mixed with equal parts of strong chamomile tea is excellent. Add to a pint of your toner 2 drops of juniper oil, 2 drops of bergamot oil and 2 drops of lemon oil. Use toner after cleansing face. The essential oils help rebalance the glands and protect the skin from bacteria.

7) Emotional turmoil can wreck havoc on the skin by disturbing digestive and endocrine functions. Acknowledge emotions without indulging them. Research has shown that people with acne have higher levels of anxiety and anger than others. Relaxation exercises may help lessen this tension and help develop an inner beauty as well. Consider yoga, meditation, or soft martial arts for a cosmic beauty beyond cosmetic beauty.

Karen Cohen is wellness coach living in rural Virginia. Karen began her lifelong study of herbs and essential oils as a young teenager. A mother of three children (10, 16, and 24) she has helped them all have healthy skin the holistic way. An expert yoga, meditation and fitness instructor, Karen is available for individual and group coaching, seminars and dynamic workshops internationally. She can be reached at 540/570-4791 or at http://www.RockbridgeMag.com

---

Your Guide To Acne Skin Care

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirty pores or eating chocolate. Acne is actually caused by overactive sebaceous glands. Hormones in you body cause acne to appear. Acne is extremely... Read More

Accutane Without The Ouch

Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial, drug for treating severe acne. Now with FDA representative David J. Graham's statement that Accutane should be taken off the market, and pharmaceutical... Read More

How the Kidney, Lungs, and Lymphatic System Keep You Acne Free

The kidneyThe purpose of the two kidneys is to filter the water in your blood as the blood passes through the kidneys. About 4 gallons of water are filtered every day but only... Read More

Acne ? A Clean Face ? First Step In A 12 Step Program

For those that need more than a special cream like Scotty's Face Cream, then you need to work harder to get rid of acne. Since acne is a condition that occurs from within... Read More

Curing Acne Naturally - Effective Herbal Acne Treatments

Chances are, if you find yourself reading this article, you have suffered the feelings of embarassment, self-consciousness and insecurity an acne breakout can bring on in what seems like the blink of an... Read More

Acne -- Prevention And Treatment

Acne is the most common skin related ailment in the United States, and although it is non-lethal it can have very detrimental psychological effects due to its highly visible nature and the scarring... Read More

Acne and Adolescents

It's hard enough to be a teenager but if your teen is suffering from acne and adolescence at the same time you may have some questions. Acne and adolescence may go hand-in-hand but... Read More

Do Roasted Peanuts Cause Acne?

Many people wonder what the active cause for acne to occur on an individual really is a result from and some folks even attribute it to roasted peanuts. The truth is acne, zits... Read More

Makeup for Acne Scars ? Hiding as You Heal

Acne is a pernicious and upsetting condition, and most sufferers long for the day when their skin is clear of it. But many acne patients achieve clear skin only to find themselves left... Read More

Acne - What Causes It?

Many individuals suffer from acne, not just adolescents. Acne is caused by normally occurring bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. This bacterium gets trapped in plugged skin pores or follicles, especially in the face. In an... Read More

Effective Acne Treatments ? Making Your Own!

Choosing effective acne treatments from amongst the plethora of products available today can be a daunting task, and while many skincare specialists advocate the use of gentle products, it can be difficult to... Read More

Acne Program ? Step 11 Herbal Mixtures To Drink

Herbal combinations are a powerful way to reduce or eliminate acne symptoms. But, using herbal mixtures can sometimes increase acne activity or breakout temporarily. Do not panic, since herbs are a powerful way... Read More

A Bumpy Ride Towards Aging

Picture this; the snow-white clear skin that you have been proud of since your teen years has suddenly poofed into a wicked witch's warty face upon reaching the age of 30! "Acne, at... Read More

Acne Skin Savers Your Mom Never Told You About

Undoubtedly your mom told you about the straw that broke the camel's back, but did she fill you in on the dirty deed that brought the zit to life?Your skin is one of... Read More

Acne Scar Removal

Those who have battled with acne may have acne scars. Acne scar removal is possible in many cases. Acne scar removal is something you may want to consider if you would like to... Read More

Acne Scar Removal Surgery

Acne scar removal surgery is one way of treating the scars left behind from acne. Acne scar removal surgery can be done by your dermatologist.If you are considering acne scar removal surgery be... Read More

Beware of Acne Cyst! Take the Precautions Necessary

People are exposed in many elements outside and inside their homes. In a world today wherein pollution is abundant, many things arises specially the skin problems. The unhealthy habits usually cause problems in... Read More

Over The Counter Acne Treatments ? Do They Work?

Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne.These products are readily available as you... Read More

Colon Cleaning May Help Acne Sufferers

Many doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one essential component of achieving overall bodily health is having a colon that is clean and free of the toxins that can build up over... Read More

Herbal Acne Treatments That Work

In the United States alone, there are over 40 Million people who struggle with acne. Many of these people treat acne using chemicals such as antibiotics, prescription drugs, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.However,... Read More

The Hows and Whys of Acne

A few simple steps occur that cause skin blemishes. First, acne occurs when for some unknown reason or combination of reasons, hair follicles, also known as pores, become blocked.Although the exact combination of... Read More

Some Healthy Ways to Fight Acne

Acne is a major concern for most of the teenagers. It not only manifests physically but also leaves a deep emotional impact. Acne Vulgaris occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged... Read More

Acne Cure, How to Cure Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that is not restricted to any age group or sex. Acne may appear for any length of time. But one should not forget that Acne is not... Read More

Herbal Acne Remedies

Remember the angst ridden acne years of your youth? Or perhaps you are still a youth. By youth, I mean either adolescent or teenaged. So many people today suffer from teenage and adult... Read More

Acne Program ? An Introduction

Acne is the most common skin disorder. Over 10% of Americans age 25 ? 44 have acne. Over 85% Americans age 12 ? 25 will have acne at one time or the other.If... Read More

The Truth About Acne Skin Care

Let's face it, you are engaged in an ongoing battle when you are afflicted with acne. While acne treatments for a mild case of acne are usually successful, moderate acne is a greater... Read More

Zits - What Do I Need To Know About Them

Zits, or pimples, affect almost everyone at some stage of their life. Zits are yukky, unsightly, and usually a part of growing up.However it can be useful to know a little bit about... Read More

5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today

Dealing with acne can be embarassing at any age. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do everyday to make sure your skin is less prone to flare ups. Here are... Read More

Stop Squeezing Your Pimples - 7 Safe Ways to Get Rid of Pimples

It's everyone's worst nightmare. Waking up the day before a special event to discover a big, red pimple baring itself for all to see right on your face!Here's how to get rid of... Read More