10 Natural Ways To Control Acne

Here are 10 super easy and effective ways to help in your battle against acne.

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. Doing so will the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and create more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars where the skin has been damaged.
2. Wash the affected areas twice daily using a mild soap. It will help even more if you use a sulfur based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap that contains benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything coarse like these on the affected areas. You also shouldn't over wash your face because it cann cause your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which in turn can increase your acne.
3. Check if your problem may be because of foods. For some people, allergies to certain foods can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too many oily and spicy foods. Recent studies indicate that acne can also be caused by milk because of the hormones that it can contain. Seafood can also be a problem because of high levels of iodine. If possible, cut down on these foods.
4. It is important to drink more water every day. "Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away." says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. One main reason is that water can carry waste material from our bodies and this really helps heal and prevent acne outbreaks.
5. Wear as little makeup as possible. Makeup products can clog your skin's pores, causing a further breakout of blackheads and pimples. If you must wear makeup, make sure it is water based. Also, make sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.
6. Do not use oily products. Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers.
7. Keep things away from your face clean. Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regularly wash your hair and keep it off your face, especially while you sleep.
8. Exercise moderately as it helps to promote good circulation and elimination of toxins.
9. Reduce stress as much as possible. Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne outbreaks, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stress free.
10. Spend time outdoors and get fresh air and sunshine. Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and exposure to the sun can also reduce stress (tip 9) and increase oxygen to the skin. Don't overdo it though. Sunburned and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesn't exfoliate as easily and this can cause blocked pores.
    

Other foods to consider eating in moderation are sugar, dairy products, deep fried food, nut butters, etc. On the other side of the spectrum, green vegetables, vegetable juices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate some acne symptoms.