The ancient Greek Physician, Hippocrates, once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Since he is not alive to ask, let’s just assume he was talking about acne.

All levity aside, the food you consume has a very strong impact on the condition of your acne and for many acne sufferers; their pimples may be a direct result of the food that they eat. The ingredients in the food could be the trigger factors that are causing the sebaceous glands to work in overdrive.

There is absolutely no doubt that just by changing your diet and going on a clean, wholesome diet, your acne problems will get better. Not only that but all other potential health issues such as obesity, yeast infections, unexplained rashes, fatigue, etc. will be prevented to a large extent.

Modern science has still not been able to link acne to the food that you eat. However, instead of waiting for scientific finding and medical conclusions, we should just exercise good ‘ol common sense.

Most of the commercially sold food these days contained additives, preservatives, monosodium glutamate (MSG), refined sugar, etc. Most of these ingredients are not good for the body at all. Yet, we blindly consume them with nary a thought for the havoc that they may wreak on our internal system.

It has been shown the MSG causes migraines. If it can do that, why wouldn’t the other detrimental additives affect you as far as acne is concerned?

They will affect you adversely by stimulating the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum than necessary. The human body is a complex mechanism and different people react to foods differently. That’s what makes it so difficult to establish a connection between acne and the food you eat.

Someone who gorges himself on junk food may not have a single pimple but may be severely obese. Another person may be able to eat the same amount of junk food without gaining weight but have a face with enough pimples for a blind man to read their face.

The best way to see if the food you eat is affecting your acne will be to start a food journal and record down what food you are eating and see what are the effects. Eliminate foods that have caffeine in them because caffeine is a stimulant.

Avoid sugary foods and desserts that are high in refined sugars. Avoid white flour products such as white bread and pasta. Avoid fried foods, processed foods that are sold in boxes in the supermarket, foods with artificial flavors and preservatives and sodas.

Water is your best friend. You should not be drinking anything else other than water and lots of it. Skip the dairy products such as milk and cheese too.

Try not to get too much salt in your diet because the iodine in salt has been known to cause acne.

You’re probably thinking, “But if I avoid all these… what then do I eat?”

A good question. You will need to consume nutritious foods such as vegetables, eggs, meat, fruits, etc. We all know what the healthy foods are. We just don’t like eating them because they’re bland.

Get a good cookbook and learn to whip up tasty dishes. Go on a Mediterranean diet which has many mouth-watering dishes and is extremely healthy too. Avoid the commercially sold junk food and you will avoid the acne.

Change your diet and you will change your life.

You may have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. It’s true yet so few abide by it. This is a daily habit that should be done without fail. You can’t suddenly remember and eat all 7 apples on Saturday and expect to get the job done. It doesn’t work that way.

Nowadays, most people place more emphasis on taste over substance. The junk food, fast food, sugary desserts, mouth-watering chocolates, refreshing sodas, etc. have become a staple part of the daily diet.

Fruits and vegetables have taken a back seat and become an afterthought. This could be one reason why obesity has become an epidemic and society these days is sicker than it has ever been.

There have been more acne cases over the past decade than there have been for years before that. This is due to the poor food choices and high stress levels in life today.

One way to remedy the situation will be to make eating at least two servings of fruit a daily habit. This is especially beneficial if the fruits are red or orange in color. There is a plethora of benefits associated with the regular consumption of fruits.

Skin problems, constipation, health disorders, nutrient deficiencies, lack of energy, etc. can all be prevented just by eating the right fruits.

To start off, you can start eating apples. The saying may only recommend 1 apple a day but since you have acne, you may go ahead and eat 3 to 4 apples a day. Preferably one before each meal. Always consume your fruits before the meal and not after.

It is best to eat organic fruits because the pesticides used on non-organic fruits may be acne triggers depending on your constitution.

Apples are rich in ascorbic acid, bioflavonoids, fiber, pectin, quercetin, minerals, and vitamins. The pectin in the apple skin will also prevent constipation just like how apricots prevent constipation. Speaking of apricots, those are excellent for consumption too.

Let’s not forget bananas that have so many nutrients that you just cannot afford to leave it out of your diet. However, you shouldn’t consume more than one banana a day. Bananas keep bad bacteria in check and by doing this, toxic acids will not get to the skin and cause acne.

Blackberries and blueberries are also excellent fruits that acne sufferers should consume. Despite their small size, these berries are potent and cleanse the blood and prevent constipation. Blackberries also benefit your kidneys and promote good skin health. Blueberries have been shown to be effective against various skin disorders such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.

Other good fruits to consume will be cantaloupes, cherries, figs, grapefruits, grapes, mangoes, strawberries and pineapples. Do take note that you are supposed to be consuming fresh fruits and not the fruit juices sold in stores. Those are high in sugar, additives and will do more harm than good.

The fruits mentioned in this article are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. They will cleanse the body, strengthen the immune system and make you skin healthy. Acne can be prevented to a large extent if your body is in balance and your immune system is strong.

Make fruits a part of your daily diet. Remember that every time you eat or drink, you’re either feeding disease or fighting it.

Acne affects over 85% of human beings. That basically means that almost everybody will have some form of acne at some point in their life. Acne mostly occurs during the adolescent years when puberty hits and the body is experiencing wild hormonal fluctuations.

For many people, acne becomes a thing of the past once they hit their adult years. However, there is a large group of people who experience acne throughout their lives. The occasional pimple or full blown breakouts are all acne related.

Despite the fact that acne is so prevalent, most people do not know much about it other than it is annoying, embarrassing and they need to reach for the pimple cream. This article will highlight some of the most important facts about acne that you should know.

•    Acne is caused by clogged follicles in the skin that get infected by the bacteria on your skin. This happens when the sebaceous glands overproduce sebum which is the oily substance meant to keep your skin from drying out.

•    There are a few types of acne. Comedonal acne which is the presence of comedones that are either opened or closed but there is no inflammation. Mild acne is when there are a few papulopustules. Moderate acne is a little more serious and there are comedones, pustules and inflammatory papules. When the nodules are larger than 5mm in diameter, scarring will occur. This is known as nodulocystic acne.

•    The type of treatment will depend on the severity and the grade of the acne.

•    There are procedural methods for dealing with acne. There are many commercial products on the market that are actually superficial peels which use either salicylic or glycolic acid. Other methods include steroid injections and manual extraction of comedones.

•    There are oral medications that can be used to treat acne too. The type of pharmacotherapy prescribed will also be dependent on the severity of the acne.

•    Stress, lack of sleep, a poor diet, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, etc. are all factors that indirectly cause acne.

•    The best way to cure acne is to prevent it from occurring. While creams, antibiotics and other methods are highly effective for dealing with acne, they are just addressing the symptoms. Only when you address the root cause of the problem can you eliminate it completely.

•    Hormonal therapies can be used to treat acne too. Estrogen may be prescribed to female patients to deal with acne.

•    Washing and cleansing the affected areas twice daily with a mild cleanser will work wonders because the excess sebum and bacteria will be washed away. Hygiene is of paramount importance when treating acne.

Acne while problematic, is not life-threatening. The worst effect of acne is the embarrassment and mental anguish it causes sufferers. They feel like their looks are affected and they are less desirable.

The best course of action will be to maintain a positive outlook because stress just worsens the condition. Next, look at your life closely to see what is triggering your outbreaks. In most cases, there will be a trigger even if your acne is caused due to genetics.

There is always a trigger. Find it, deal with it and you will control your acne problem and even eliminate it.

Most of us have had acne at some point in our lives. It could be the embarrassing pimple on the nose that makes you feel like a circus clown to the acne breakouts that just may leave your cheek looking like the surface of the moon. Acne affects over 85% of people worldwide.

Of course there is a multitude of ways to deal with this problem. You may use over-the-counter treatment creams or consult a doctor and get prescription medication. Whatever the case, you do have options and acne can be treated. It is not a condition that is untreatable.

Bearing that in mind, many people prefer to treat the problem holistically rather than rushing to grab the acne cream. After all, the idea of using a natural remedy to treat a naturally occurring problem does seem more appealing than slathering your face with creams containing chemicals.

The 4 remedies given below will help treat you acne but as expected, the efficacy of these methods will depend on the severity of your acne. If your acne is very bad and people are getting scared just by looking at you, your first course of action will be to see a doctor for some potent medication to get a quick grasp on the problem.

Mild and moderate acne sufferers may give these methods a try and see if they work. You’ll need to experiment with a few to see what works for you. No method is perfect for everyone. So, there is some trial and error involved.

Do give each method some time to see if it works for you. These are not overnight miracle potions.

1. Mix pure apple cider vinegar with water in the ratio 1:3. One part of apple cider vinegar should be diluted with 3 parts of water.
   
   This is a highly effective remedy because not only does it balance the pH of your skin due to its alkaline properties but it’s also anti-bacterial. It will kill off the bacteria on your skin that is infecting your clogged pores.


2. Aloe vera gel is another powerful home remedy that has been used for ages to treat a multitude of problems. It kills bacteria, reduces swelling and inflammation, reduces redness and is soothing to the skin. Apply the aloe vera gel to your affected areas daily to see results.



3. Baking soda is another miracle product. It is usually used to clean greasy stoves, old coins, tough stains, etc. Guess what? It works for acne too. Don’t panic. It is perfectly safe.
   
   The same way it removes grease of a stove, it will also clear the excess sebum from your face by drying up the excess oil. Not only that, but it’s anti-fungal and kills off bacteria too.
   
   You’ll need to mix baking soda and water in equal parts and aim to get a thick paste. Apply the paste on the acne prone areas and leave for 20 minutes before washing away.


4. Lemon juice is the fourth remedy. It is rich in vitamin C and is an astringent. What that means is that it will dry out the tissues by making them contract. This will start the healing process and the acne will go away on its own. Apply the lemon juice with a Q-tip and rinse away after 15 to 20 minutes.

The above 4 remedies have helped thousands of people deal with acne effectively. Do give them a try and see if they work for you.