| Natural acne treatments are desirable because they | | | | trans fat (such as milk, milk products, margarine, and |
| have few side effects, are inexpensive, and are | | | | any hydrogenated vegetable oils). Some people find |
| effective for many. There are many natural acne | | | | that chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, |
| treatments available for purchase. These contain | | | | iodized salt, shellfish, wheat and/or milk products |
| various plant extracts that work to dry up the pimple | | | | aggravate acne. |
| and sooth the skin | | | | Stress is popularly thought to be a cause of acne. |
| Most of these products contain vitamin E, grapeseed | | | | Yoga, exercise, breathing techniques, biofeedback, |
| oil, calendula, aloe vera, witch hazel or essential oils. | | | | massage, and meditation may be beneficial. Chinese, |
| For example, tea tree oil applied to acne has been | | | | Ayuredic, Tibetan and Japanese herbal medicines can |
| found to be effective for hundreds of years. An | | | | be used to treat acne. Massage is often |
| herbal blend that can help with acne consists of equal | | | | recommended for people with skin problems. It can |
| parts of the herbal extracts of sarsaparilla, yellow | | | | help to increase circulation and lymphatic drainage and |
| dock, burdock, and cleavers. Take half a teaspoon of | | | | speed the healing of blemishes. |
| this blend three times daily. | | | | When shopping for cosmetics and toiletries, look for |
| Maintain a healthy kitchen with plenty of fruits, | | | | the phrase "non-comedogenic" on the packaging. |
| vegetables, and whole grains. Eat foods containing | | | | Avoid heavy foundation makeup. Most acne patients |
| healthy omega-3 oils such as ground flaxseeds, | | | | should select powder blushes and eye shadow over |
| salmon, and sardines. Drink six to eight large glasses | | | | cream products because they are less irritating and |
| of water a day. Vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as | | | | non-comedogenic. Never pick, scratch, pop or |
| chromium and zinc, all play a role in reducing and | | | | squeeze acne, especially inflammatory acne or |
| preventing acne. Avoid refined sugar, fried foods, and | | | | "pustules". |