I started getting acne in fourth grade. Fourth grade! You’re like, 9 in fourth grade. Here are 7 Steps To Get Rid Of Adult Acne Naturally!
Acne completely robbed me of my confidence when I was a kid. I had deep, cystic acne. I had white heads, I had blackheads – I had it all. My skin was so inflamed that on more than one occasion someone asked what was wrong with my face.
Acne persisted throughout my teen years and into my early twenties. It was only when I changed my diet and switched to non-toxic skincare that I really saw an improvement. Even now, if I’m eating too much dairy, gluten or sugar and/or not sticking to my skincare routine – the acne comes back.
Here are 7 Steps To Get Rid Of Adult Acne Naturally
Step 1: Use good, NON-TOXIC skincare.
More and more I am concerned with the amount of women using skincare full of toxic ingredients like parabens, sodium laureth sulfate and fragrances.
I make my own handcrafted, organic, truly all natural skincare: Ancestral Organics. Whether you want to get rid of/prevent fine lines and wrinkles or clear your skin, I’ve got ya covered. The Ultimate Clear Skin Regimen is best to address acne.
Step 2: eat healthy, skin nourishing foods.
My favorite foods for boosting skin health include:
- fatty fish like salmon and sardines
- fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles
- fiber rich foods like beans, avocado, peas and artichoke
- foods rich in zinc, like oysterse
Step 3: eliminate foods that can exacerbate acne.
I strongly, strongly suggest fully eliminating gluten, vegetables oils and dairy for four weeks. If people did this, skin would clear so rapidly when paired with a good skincare regimen. But! I realize it’s hard. Especially to just go cold turkey. Even I have a hard time when trying to eliminate dairy (gluten is easy for me, there are great substitutes). Doing a Whole30 can be a great way to do this.
Eliminate foods that can cause inflammation and irritate the gut and liver. These include:
- vegetable oils like soy, corn, canola and cottonseed
- processed carbohydrates like those found in packaged foods
- gluten
- dairy (butter, ghee, goat and sheeps milk are all easier to digest)
- sugar
Step 4: make sure you’re pooping twice daily.
Your body is going to excrete toxins one way or another, and sometimes that is via the skin. Pooping is one of the most crucial ways our bodies detoxify, but so many people are chronically constipated.
You should be having full bowel movements 1-2x a day. Increasing fiber and taking a magnesium supplement can help with this.
Step 5: balance hormones.
Do you get breakouts around your period? Is your period irregular, heavy, light, painful or otherwise abnormal? Do you get breakouts near your mouth, chin, jawline and neck?
You may have a hormonal imbalance.
Before you run out and buy a hormone balancing supplements (maca is popular but it’s not for everyone!), slow down. Call your doctor. Request hormone testing. A DUTCH test or Organic Acids Test (OAT) would be ideal.
If you aren’t able to obtain hormone testing, do these crucial things to balance hormones:
- get 7-8 hours of deep sleep every single night
- no phone or lights before bed
- reduce stress via meditation, journaling, spending time in nature
- balance your circadian rhythm – go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, when you first wake up spend five minutes outside in the sun (this is literally amazing for your brain and hormones)
- balance your blood sugar – limit high carb, processed and sugary foods and drinks (no more than 1-2x a week, NOT a day)
- eat healthy fats – olive oil, avocados, nuts, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, wild fish
Step 6: support your liver.
The liver is one of our master detoxification organs. It has a lot filter and a lot of work to do. Let’s not make it harder for our poor livers. They work hard enough!
- upon waking, drink 32oz of lemon water.
- limit alcohol and stick to dry wines, tequila, vodka or gin (just not too much)
- consider liver supporting herbs like dandelion root, milk thistle and turmeric
Consider skin supporting supplements.
Our skin is literally made up of collagen, it’s the most abundant protein in the body.