By Sofia Segounis, Nutritionist

More than any other age group, it is crucial for teenagers to feel like they fit in with their peers. Teenagers like to dress the same, look the same and even talk the same way! This is why an acne outbreak can be socially devastating for a child. Unfortunately, many acne medications on the market today are quite toxic and can have unpleasant side effects. The good news is, there are several natural approaches that can help clear up skin creating a healthy, acne-free glow.

What is acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition that affects 85% of teenagers. Acne most often affects preteens and teens when they begin puberty and usually subsides when they reach their 20s. During puberty, hormones are elevated, and the glands produce more oil. Acne occurs when oil and dead skin clog the pores causing bacteria to grow. The result is a pimple. Hormones are also the reason why girls tend to get breakouts around the time of their menstrual cycle.

How can acne be prevented and treated?

Diet
The ultimate diet plan for controlling and reducing acne is one that is hormonally balanced. This means eating the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat every day and at every meal. It is also important to include an abundant amount of raw fruits and vegetables in the diet to protect the skin against damage.

In addition to eating fresh, nutritious food, the food must be tolerated by the individual. Food sensitivities are common and often go undiagnosed unless they are the cause of a severe reaction. Foods to look out for as potential culprits are dairy, wheat, gluten, citrus foods, chocolate, eggs and high fat foods.

In order to pinpoint which food may be triggering an unhealthy response in the body, it is best to follow an elimination diet. Start by eliminating one food at a time until you find the specific food item that is causing you the problem. For example, eliminate dairy items and follow a dairy-free diet, for four to six weeks. If it works, continue to avoid this food, if it doesn’t, reintroduce it into your diet and then move on to the next food in question (e.g. wheat). Continue to do this until you find the foods that are causing the problem.

When the allergic food is detected, it is possible that you may be able to be reintroduce it on a rotational basis (i.e. once per week) after a specific time of elimination. If a reaction does occur after a re-introduction, chances are the food will have to be eliminated from the diet completely.

Water
Teens should drink plenty of fresh water. Water will ensure that skin stays hydrated and it will help excrete any toxins from the body. For more information about hydration see Water them Down! Avoid sugary beverages such as pop and replace them with water.

Fish oils
Fish oils have been proven time and time again to be beneficial for health and well-being. Skin health is just another to add to the list. Fish oils act as an anti-inflammatory and help to keep skin moist. Oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel are all excellent choices. A daily supplement of fish oils will also ensure that you receive these beneficial oils daily. Visit the Truestar Healthy Skin supplement plan for the details on other supplements that can benefit your skin.

Cleansers
Wash your face twice every day with warm water and a mild soap. Do not scrub with harsh commercial exfoliates and soaps—they will dry out your skin and make the problem worse by irritating it. For a homemade facial cleanser that mildly exfoliates your skin, click here.

Taking the steps to be acne-free will improve both your skin and your self-esteem!

References