One easy way to prevent acne is in taking good care of your skin. Wash your face, cleaning your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap (like Dove, Neutrogena, or Basics) to remove all dirt or make-up once or twice a day, including after exercising. However, avoid excessive or repeated skin washing. Shampoo your hair daily, especially if it is oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. Avoid tight headbands. Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to scarring and skin infections. Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers. Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Look for water-based or "non-comedogenic" formulas. Always take make-up off at night.
It has been recommended that washing and exfoliating your face with baking soda can help acne. Specifically, soap up your face (with your favorite soap) to loosen surface dirt, and while soap is still on your face, rub in some Noxzema to deep clean. Then while both the Noxzema and soap are still on your face sprinkle a small handful of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in your hand and add a couple of drops of warm water with your wet fingertips to it, in order to form a granular paste. Now, take this baking soda paste, spread it out within your two palms and rub it into your face & pores for an exalting exfoliation facial treatment. Then hop into either the shower or bathtub to wash this all off or wash it off with a wash cloth, if showering has already occurred. Your face will feel incredible and take on a noticeable glow of cleanliness, because for the first time in a longtime, it will truly be CLEAN!
Use Noxzema to cleanse when you wash your face every morning and night, in addition to your regular soap or cleansing bar. Get used to having Noxzema as part of your daily facial ritual for it should be worn to bed (simply rubbed into your face like a lotion, until is unnoticeable). It should be the base worn under your make-up and always the first or "second" thing to touch your face after cleansing it (preferably while it's still damp & moist from washing).
Another thing you might consider is light non-stressful exercises daily. For example 30 minutes of walking outside in the fresh air and sunshine could work wonders towards healing your acne.
Herbal Approaches and Remedies for Acne
Thankfully there are herbal remedies that are effective against acne. Many people prefer these remedies because there are fewer if any side effects than drugs. Some of the herbal remedies for acne are burdock root, chaparral, yellow dock root, red clover, dandelion, lavender, strawberry leaves, turmeric, horsetail, angelica, and gota-kola.
Burdock seeds have been crushed to make a popular tincture used to purify the blood, to treat gout and ulcers, arthritis, rheumatism, and help with skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Chaparral in standardized extracts or tinctures is useful as a topical agent for skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Yellow dock root is recognized primarily for its powerful laxative effect, but it has multiple uses. Acting on the liver, this bitter herb stimulates bile production which strengthens digestion. It is commonly prescribed to treat the liver condition known as jaundice. Due to the root's hepatoprotective activity (ability to protect the liver), yellow dock is used to cleanse the blood and to treat chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. Do not use it in large quantities though.
Red clover used externally is considered a treatment for chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Dandelion is known as a blood purifier or an excellent tonic that cleanses poisons from the body. Through its action both on the liver and kidneys (as its French name, pis en lit, translated as "wet the bed" indicates), it gently eliminates toxic wastes from the body. The natural nutritive salts work to purify the blood and also help to neutralize the acids in the blood. Dandelion leaf's powerful blood purifying and liver cleansing properties help to clear skin problems, especially acne. A liver that is not performing at its best can worsen acne, because it cannot break down and clear excess hormones from the body.
Dandelion used externally, can treat acne. Applied topically, the essential oils in lavender act as an antiseptic and painkiller, helping to relieve insect bites and stings, skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis, and minor burns. Turmeric is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory since the compound curcumin found in turmeric apparently deactivates immune cells that may cause inflammation, without harming other parts of the immune system that are essential in fighting infection. It is important to reduce inflammation since excess inflammation can aggravate acne. Tumeric can also be used as an astringent for the face that is great for acne.
There are many more herbs that can help in the cure of acne. For more information you may go to AcneTreatmentInfo.org, where you can learn more about how to use herbal remedies to cure your acne. Always keep in mind that you should talk to your physician or herbal professional before taking any herbs, especially if you are already taking medication since they may interact.
