Natural Skin Detox: Clear acne prone skin

By Ulyana Michailov ND • April 1st, 2011

Natural Skin Detox: Clear acne prone skin

Acne prone skin can be a nightmare. Have you ever felt so frustrated that no matter how well you eat, what you use and what you take, it seems to have a mind of its own? This is because the skin is a unique organ, which requires simplicity and consistency of action to get it to finally clear. Many articles and books have been written and many lotions and potions have been created to address this issue. I’m here to teach you how to truly clear your skin once and for all.

Skin Anatomy

This is an important first step to know before making any changes. The basic anatomy of the skin that you need to know at his point is that it has many, many layers (epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue) and to create any real or lasting change you need to be consistent. The deeper layers of the dermis take around 4 to 6 weeks to surface to the exterior epidermal layer. This means any dietary or supplementation change you make takes at least that long to show signs of healing. For healing a skin condition, this requires around 3 to 6 months of consistent skin specific eating and supplementation.

Step 1. Detoxify and Clear… Omit congesting and heating foods from your diet

Skin congestion

Acne is caused by an over stimulated oil gland that has become infected. What over stimulates the oil glands? And why do they become infected? Excessive oil production can be caused by hormones, adrenal function, liver and digestive function and diet. The skin will only use the oils you eat in your diet. It is important that you only eat lighter, plant-based oils so they flow freely though the oil glands and decongest what is blocking them.

Congesting foods:

Animal fats (especially red meats and pork)

Dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, butter)

Chocolate

Commercial sweets (anything baked, bought, with refined sugars, white flours and hidden fats)

When the adrenal glands are stimulated it creates a stress response in the body. This causes the oil glands to flow excessively and also warm up the body temperature, irritating sensitive skin. Any redness, spots or blemishes suggest a sensitive skin type and a “hot” condition according to traditional Chinese medicine.

Stimulating foods and substances for the skin:

Chili, curry, spicy dishes

Alcohol

Caffeine

Nicotine

Oranges and strawberries

You need to stay away from these foods and substances for at least 95% of the time for as long as it takes for your cells to turn...

Tags : Healthy Living, natural beauty tips, skin detox, acne, skin care

Author - Ulyana Michailov ND

Location: Adelaide, AU

Ulyana Michailov is a naturopath and acupuncturist from Adelaide, Australia. She also holdsqualifications in herbal medicine, nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine. Growing up Ulyana would consistently seek out the wilderness; she still describes herself asa “hippie at...

Comments and Questions for the Author (9)

sveta5
Hi Ulyana. I am confused about yoghurt. You included it in congesting foods and in optional dessert as well.
about a week ago
sushineboulevard
Hi Ulyana, I suffer from a pretty bad case of frequent acne vulgaris breakouts. My diet right now is not too bad, in the sense that I do not eat fried stuff, and spicy food, and get regular exercise. However, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hence my hormones are all over the place. How should I go about it? Do I get treatment first to regularize my period or will the acne take care of itself by following a healthy routine?
about a month ago
proprr
Stress is definitely a contributor as well as hormonal imbalance. I hit my forties and was laid off. I had acne all over my face. Once I have accepted my situation and became destressed, followed an antibiotic and regular cleansing regimen along with contraception. My face cleared. I still have breakouts from time to time. I go back to destressing - meditation, yoga and exercise and proper dieting and I noticed an improvement again.
3 months ago
rimple
use herbal methods
4 months ago
babyblues
My understanding of acne is that it is caused by a bacteria called steptococcus pyogenes. So, my understanding is that antibiotics work for this. I just learned this in microbiology. I have never had luck getting rid of it with diet? I've had it for 12 years. I would like this to be the case! I will definitely take what you say under consideration, though. Thanks.
5 months ago
rzulich
A fall natural beauty tip from Ole Henriksen on tv is to mix 1oz grapeseed oil, the contents of 3 vitamin A capsules (about 25,000 IUs) and 10 drops of lavender oil. Use this under your moisturizer.. so cheap, and your skin just glows! Also, it's a nice aromatherapy before bed, enjoy!
7 months ago in Sudbury, CA
rzulich
Isn't it also a possibility that skin erruptions come along as a chakra issues? I've heard Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz explain how people who have breakouts and or psoriasis may have some unresolved family issues, or lack a sense of belonging.
7 months ago in Sudbury, CA
Talia
What about high-dose vitamin A? I hear taking 20,000 IU of vit A daily until the skin clears up is a good method. What are the side effects of it? Vitamin A makes the skin sensitive to the sun, should I avoid this therapy during the summer or does applying sunscreen take care of this problem?
about a year ago in Toronto, CA
sweetsully
I think it is really good to try as many natural ways as possible to improve one's skin, but the bottom line is that many people see little or no improvement from dietary / exercise modifications. I stayed away from pharmacological treatments for years and suffered from terrible skin which ruined my self esteem, personal relationships, job confidence, etc.

It wasn't until a volunteer medical trip to the Himalayas (where I wouldn't have access to running water for over a month and would be living out of a tent) that I stumbled up on the thing that cured my acne. I decided to take 2 months straight of oral contraception to regulate my cycle and avoid menstruating at 14 000 ft. Within a few weeks of starting the pill my complexion *completely* cleared up. And stayed clear.

I kicked myself afterward for avoiding all the medical advice which had told me to try oral contraception, as my way to stay 'healthy' and 'hormone free'. I would have saved myself so much heartache and embarrassment. I am off the pill again now and my skin is perfect.

I only add this comment so that readers can be aware that when other attempts fail it is OK to seek medical intervention, it doesn't make you a failure (which is how I saw taking medication for my acne).
about a year ago in Stony Plain, CA