Treating Acne Naturally
Acne can strike at any age and affects an estimated 50 million people in the United States each year.
Acne typically surfaces during times of hormonal imbalance. When glands produce more oil than normal, skin pores get clogged, allowing bacteria (and pimples) to grow. We typically treat acne with a variety of products that dry out and irritate the skin, kill all the bacteria on the surface (good and bad) and even take a variety of oral medications, many with significant side effects.
As sufferers of hormonal acne ourselves, we knew there had to be a better way. There are few all-natural acne treatments on the market...and none that seemed to work for us...so we created an effective, non-toxic topical regime, 3-Step Clear Kit. These products will not strip your skin's natural microbiome, which is key to fighting acne.
And although skincare is an important part of battling acne, there are other steps you can take that are equally as important.
Vitamin D
Researchers estimate that at 50% percent of the U.S. population is deficient in the hormone called vitamin D. There is now significant research showing vitamin D is vital to regulate the immune system. This immune system link explains, at least in part, the relationship between vitamin D levels and skin health.
In a 2014 study, people who had nodulocystic acne were at risk for more severe symptoms if they had low levels of vitamin D. In another study, people with acne experienced significantly improved symptoms when they took oral vitamin D supplements.
And today (April 2021), with more and more research showing that vitamin D deficiency is one of the greatest threats to getting extremely ill with COVID-19, we highly recommend adding a daily vitamin D supplement, not just to help your acne, but to boost your overall health!
There is mounting research showing that Vitamins D3 and K2 each function more effectively in the presence of the other, so consider a Vitamin D3 supplement that also has Vitamin K2.
Omega 3
Since omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in cell membrane composition, it is no wonder that they’re also found in the very structure of the skin. According to a study on the healing fats of the skin, omega-3s have shown promising effects when it comes to the management of numerous skin conditions, including acne vulgaris, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, as well as melanoma.
There are many vegan Omega-3 supplement options you can take to ensure you have adequate levels in your system. Marine algae oil and flaxseed oil are a few popular choices.
Hydration
When your skin is parched, the dehydrated cells build up and retain oil, which can leave you with an unwanted souvenir—acne. Drink at least eight 8 oz glasses of water throughout the day. If you are super dehydrated, consider an IV drip or adding a non-GMO electrolyte drink mix to your water for extra hydration.
Stress Management
The relationship between stress and acne has been misunderstood by many. Stress can't directly cause acne. However, studies have shown that if you already have acne, stress does make it worse. Researchers have found that wounds, including acne, are much slower in healing when a person is under stress, likely because stress raises cortisol levels which ultimately leads to increased inflammation.
Oh, how we wish we had an easy solution for this one. But we will share with you the things that have helped us the most.
- Every morning Susan Carter and I (Sara Jane) have our morning touch-base meeting while walking on a treadmill for 30-minutes. We kept making excuses about not having time to exercise…and realized we talk every day anyway…why not multi-task and ensure we are prioritizing our own health and well-being along the way…and it doesn’t hurt to have an accountability buddy when it comes to exercise…no matter how cheesy that may sound!
- We are both bath addicts…and we also both happen to REALLY like wine too…but we have trained ourselves that instead of reaching for a glass of wine, we first take a few deep breathes, and when possible, soak in bath for 10-15 minutes (we of course recommend using The Everything Bath or something with magnesium flakes) but even soaking in plain water will bring your stress level down significantly.
- Give yourself a break and stop caring so much about what everyone else thinks…if this isn’t someone you would whole heartedly go to for advice, why in the world are you worried about their opinion about your life choices…or how you look…or anything else about your world! And if that means you need to take a hiatus from social media…pretty pretty please…just do it!
In closing, we know battling acne, especially as an adult, really sucks! Like REALLY sucks! But there are things you can do to limited or even eliminate your acne completely. But give it time…it won’t happen overnight! Try some of the tips recommended today and give yourself at least 4 weeks to start to see an improvement. And with all things skin, if you need us, we are here. Reach out anytime at support@carterandjane.com.