Acne is formed when skin cells plug up a hair follicle. This happens when the skin cells inside a hair follicle shed too fast. Acne can be inherited or triggered by hormonal imbalances, stress, hyperactive sebaceous glands, accumulation of dead skin cells, scratching a rash or itch, bacteria in the pores, some medications, certain make up, and skin care products with a petrochemical base. 

The first acne skin care treatments chosen by most people are over-the-counter topical treatments. The most popular ingredient for this type treatment is Benzoyl peroxide and is the main ingredient of popular brands such as Clearasil, Oxy and Neutrogena. Acne should be treated as soon as it appears as all treatments also prevent against future outbreaks. If these acne skin care products don’t work, many acne sufferers look to antibiotics and after that laser therapy. 

However there is a safe, effective and easy acne skin care treatment that is hardly used at all. The importance of diet to both preventing and treating acne is often ignored due to a general unawareness of its connection. People who believe that acne is primarily caused by hormonal imbalances do not acknowledge the very real connection between diet and hormonal activity. Acne is non existent among people who do not eat refined carbohydrates and sugars. These ‘foods’ affect insulin production because they cause sharp increases in blood sugar which triggers a range of responses in the body including hormonal activity that increases oil production in the sebum and increased skin cell production. This modern diet, called SAD (standard American diet) by some, also creates a highly acidic state in the body which encourages inflammation. It also lowers immunity making it difficult for the body to protect or heal itself from disease.

Surely the first treatment option for acne, then, should be a healthy lifestyle. After this, nutritional supplementation is important. Studies have found that acne sufferers are generally deficient in zinc and sometimes selenium. It has also been found that vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is extremely helpful in the healing of acne. There are also supportive herbal acne skin care products that help to regulate the hormonal function of the body and improve detoxification processes so that the skin is not overloaded. The combination of a healthy diet, nutritional supplementation herbal acne skin care treatments can produce marvelous results, not just in healing acne but also in promoting excellent health. Not only will the acne be gone, but your skin will glow with genuine good health. 

Make sure that your body is getting everything it needs to function well. Give yourself every opportunity to defeat acne without exposing yourself to potentially harmful acne skin care products. An added benefit of the natural approach is that it is a lot less expensive than having to buy expensive commercial preparations.

If you want to be free of acne, start with good health and be patient. Be kind to yourself and make long term good decisions that support your health and well being.