A Healthy Diet for Acne Prone Skin

By Trish Williamson

Why are you eating that - you'll get zits! We've all heard it; from parents, friends or even the family doctor. But the fact is, even after extensive study, scientists have not found a connection between diet and acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza.

The American Academy of Dermatology claim that "A healthy diet is important for improving raw materials for healthy skin," but they also note that greasy or sugary foods do not cause acne. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also concurred, "Diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patientseven large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne."

It would be good advice not to think that you should make a habit of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the body's largest organ, so what's good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too.

Acne Prevention Dieting TIP - Nutrients for a beautiful healthy skin. There are a number of nutrients that are found in everyday foods that are known to promote a healthy body - and therefore healthy skin. Get wise to these substances, and you'll increase your chances of conquering your acne.

Acne Prevention Diet TIP - Vitamin A. Naturally occurring Vitamin A, or retinol, is found in fish oils, liver and dairy products. The Vitamin A produced by plants is known as Beta-carotene, and is found in yellow/orange fruits and vegetable such as carrots, yams, apricots and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables like parsley, kale and spinach. Extremely high doses of Vitamin A are toxic, so you don't want to overdo it.

Acne Prevention Diet TIP - Vitamin B-2. Stress is not good for any health issue. It has been known to aggravate existing cases of acne, and Vitamin B-2 is often helpful alleviating stress. Easy to find foods with a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables.

Acne Prevention Diet TIP- Vitamin B-3. Easy to find in such foods as peanuts, eggs, avocados, liver and lean meats, Vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It also reduces the cholesterol level in the blood and helps you metabolize protein, sugar ... fat - increasing your energy through proper utilization of food.

Acne Prevention Diet TIP - Vitamin E. This is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils. An extremely powerful antioxidant, it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism. Acne Prevention Diet TIP - Zinc. Even in trace amounts, the antioxidant zinc is known to boost the immune system, improving overall health - which of course is reflected in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms. Acne Prevention Diet TIP - Know your own triggers. Since acne is different for everyone, there may be certain foods that cause flare-ups in your skin. I found that potatoes were no good for my acne because of the high levels of starch!

Obviously, these foods should be avoided. You may also want to check your vitamin supplements for their iodine content; while normal amounts of iodine have not been shown to affect skin, amounts greater than the RDA of 150 mcg may aggravate your acne. Use your common sense. Drink large quantities of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet - but don't be afraid to indulge your cravings every now and then. - 16885

About the Author:

Want to find out more about Acne Skincare, then visit Trish Williamson's site on how to choose the best Natural Body Butters for your needs.

Discover How To Get Rid of Scars Naturally

By Blake Helton

It can be more difficult to suffer from a scar than it was to go through the injury or wound that caused it. Fortunately for you, these scars do not have to be permanent. Your scars can be gone rather cheaply and easily using natural remedies.

There are, of course, over the counter and commercial treatments that promise scar removal. There are several problems with these options. First, they are expensive and most must be used quite frequently to be effective. After only a few uses, the costs can become quite high. Secondly, most of these treatments are based on natural options that are not only healthier, but cheaper. Finally, many over the counter treatments do not work or make unreal promises.

As you read earlier, many of the commercial treatments are based on natural ingredients. For example, a very popular commercial scar treatment is made from onion extract. Onion extract is an excellent natural scar remedy. However, as it is processed commercially it becomes less effective. By the time you buy the tube of scar treatment, the cream is not any more beneficial than any other ointment or lotion.

On the other hand, using real onion extract is a more potent and better way to get rid of scars. All you have to do is slice an onion and rub it on the scar three times a day to help lighten and soften your scar. It is a dramatically cheaper, healthier, and better way to treat your scar than the commercial counterpart. This is only one of the many examples why natural remedies are superior to other types of scar remedies.

A sandalwood powder mask has been shown to be very good for getting rid of acne scars and other scars. The sandalwood powder should be mixed with rose water until a paste forms. Add a couple drops of lime juice, which acts as a bleach to lighten the scar. Apply this paste as a mask and leave it on until it dries completely. Wash off the mask with cool water and you will find the scar is softer and more conditioned.

Lavender oil is known as an "essential oil". Essential oils provide nutrients that the body needs to maintain itself but cannot produce. People examining how to get rid of scars have found it has great healing properties. It can restore your skin to remove the scar. Simply apply a couple drops to a cotton ball and rub it on the scar at least three times a day to get the best results.

There are also other essential oils that have proven to be quite effective at getting rid of acne scars and other scars. Frankincense oil has been used since ancient Egyptian times to restore the skin and eliminate scars. If you prefer an oil without a scent, you can use diluted jojoba oil.

If you suffer from acne or other types of scars, do not think you have to spend a lot of money to get rid of them. Removing scars is easy using natural methods. In fact, the natural treatments can give you results far superior to those expensive over the counter products. - 16885

About the Author:

To read more about ways to get rid of acne scarring, check out Blake Helton's authoritative articles on treating acne.