Holistic Acne Support

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders, and remains one of the most difficult to treat. It can stem from a myriad of root causes, and pinpointing your personal root cause is the key to balanced, clear skin. Here are my basic recommendations for holistic acne treatment:

1. Start with your diet. Do you have food intolerances or allergies? Is your digestion working properly, or do you suffer from digestive disturbances like a sensitive stomach, acid reflux, bloating, constipation, IBS, etc.? Your gut health is directly tied to your skin health, so if there is an untreated issue, (such as leaky gut syndrome or a microbiome dysbiosis) this could be the root cause of your acne. Work with a healthcare practitioner for guidance on proper testing and further support.

2. Focus on high-quality hydration. Chugging glass after glass of plain water is not necessarily what we're looking for here. Effective ways of deeply hydrating your body include eating water-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, soups and stews, drinking beverages like herbal tea, broth, and water with lemon and/or a pinch of salt. These additions to plain water help it reach deep into your cells. Massage and stretching are unexpected ways to promote hydration of tissues, as they work out the tension in your muscles and fascia that could be prohibiting the proper flow of fluids.

3. Don't skimp on sleep. Sleep is an incredibly important time for our bodies to recharge and rejuvenate, and without it our brains and bodies feel stressed and drained. Aim for at least 8 hours of high-quality sleep per night. Look to herbs like chamomile, lavender, passion flower and skullcap to help you ease into a restful slumber.

4. Assess your stress levels. Trust me when I say that I know this is MUCH easier said than done. We all want to lower our stress levels, but there is only so much we can to do mitigate what life throws at us. Stress has a profound effect on our entire body, and it can rapidly exacerbate acne. If you are in a high-stress time of your life, buffering the effects of it with habits like regular exercise, breathwork, good sleep, and nutrition can help mitigate its effects on your skin.

5. Ditch the low-quality, comedogenic skincare for biocompatible, botanical formulas. This can vary depending on what type of acne you have, as some acne benefits from heavier ingredients like oils, and others need lighter, clarifying ingredients. Work with a holistic practitioner to get your skin properly assessed and to find the perfect routine for its unique needs.

Resources:

Acne and the Skin's Microbiome

Food Allergies and Acne

Quench Book by Dr. Dana Cohen MD and Gina Bria

+Herbal Acne Support Tea+

This refreshing blend of green herbs gently supports detoxification, hormone production, and your nervous system.

-2 tsp dried spearmint

-2 tsp dried nettle

-1tsp dried lemon balm

Add the dried herbs to a pint-sized glass jar, cover with 2 cups of boiling water, and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain and enjoy.