For most people, acne begins at puberty. The body starts to produce hormones called androgens. Androgens cause the enlargement and over-stimulation of the sebaceous glands. This leads to the over-production of sebum, and coupled with a sluggish exfoliation process leads to blocked pores and acne. Sensitivity to these androgens also causes acne during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or during the menopause.
Stress is often linked to acne, whether it's caused by school, work, relationships or money. Stress causes the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress also causes the digestive system to slow down because the body takes blood away from the stomach and intestines to prepare your muscles for "fight", our instinctive response to stress.
Acne Prevention
Avoid stress - Stress causes the over-production of hormones.
Use relaxation techniques, such as Yoga and deep breathing.
Healthy Diet for Acne Prone Skin Nutrients for Healthy Skin
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, "A healthy diet is important for improving raw materials for healthy skin". The skin is the body's largest organ, so what's good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too.
There are a number of nutrients 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.
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 and 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 don't overdo it.
Vitamin B-2 - Stress has been known to aggravate existing cases of acne, and Vitamin B-2 is often helpful alleviating stress. Foods with a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin B-3 - Found in 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 and fat, increasing your energy through proper utilization of food.
Vitamin E - Vitamin E is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils. A powerful antioxidant, it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism.
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.
Iodine - 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.
Acne and Exercise
Moderate exercise is actually good for your skin. It helps you maintain a healthy body and manage your stress levels, too. If you find your acne is aggravated by regular exercise, then you may want to examine your routine. What do you wear? Where do you go? How hard do you work? Exercise-related acne is usually caused by something you put on your body rather something you do with it. Remove these outside factors, and you may put an end to your workout breakouts. Here are just a few things to watch for.
Make-up - When exercising, wear as little make-up as possible. Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can clog pores if worn during heavy exercise. When you're done working out, wash as soon as possible.
Sunscreen - If your regimen takes you outdoors, always wear sunscreen. While acne may improve slightly after brief periods in the sun, studies show that prolonged exposure actually promotes comedones (clogged pores) and, of course, sun damage. Some kinds of acne medication make skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen is even more important. When choosing a sunscreen, look for products that are oil-free and have a protection factor of at least SPF 15 for both UVA and UVB rays. Like make-up, sunscreen can travel across the skin's surface and lodge in the pores, so wash immediately after working out.
Clothing - If you're prone to body acne, avoid garments made exclusively with Lycra or nylon. Why? Some synthetic fabrics can trap the heat and moisture against your skin, creating a fertile breeding ground for the bacteria that contribute to acne. For moderate exercise, your best bet is lightweight, loose-fitting cotton, or a Lycra-cotton blend. Natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe, and loose garments are less likely to cause friction. If you're exercising vigorously and working up a good sweat, however, you may want to try some of the new fabrics designed to wick moisture away from your skin.
Equipment - Some people are more likely to get acne or have their lesions aggravated in the areas affected by sports equipment. The best defense against friction-related breakouts is a good fit — make sure your helmet doesn't slide around on your forehead, or your wetsuit isn't too tight under the arms. You can also curb equipment-triggered breakouts by lining your helmet with a layer of soft, washable cotton fabric; it's a great use for those old t-shirts, too. And no matter what the sport, it's always a good idea to keep your equipment clean and dry when not in use.
Moisture - You should get out of those wet clothes! No matter how you get your exercise - treadmill, trail, tennis court, or whatever - don't sit around in your sweaty clothes or wet bathing suit when you're done. If you can, shower off immediately and change into dry clothes before driving home. If this isn't possible, change into dry clothes and wipe down as well as you can. When toweling sweat off your face, always use a clean towel, and blot gently rather than wipe. Vigorous wiping can irritate your skin, driving make-up and sunscreen deeper into the pores.
Showering - Again, it's best to shower immediately after working out. You may want to use a medicated exfoliant cleanser, but always be gentle with your skin. Scrubbing harder isn't going to make you any cleaner, or make your acne go away, it may actually irritate existing lesions or promote the development of new ones. If you can't shower right away, you can still curb breakouts by wiping down with medicated pads; keep a few in your gym bag just in case.
So keep up the good work! A healthy exercise program is an integral part of your overall health; and a healthy body is more likely to have healthy skin. Just keep an eye on the various factors that accompany your regimen, and try to remove the acne triggers - you'll be on your way to breakout-free workouts.
My Home Remedies Tips
for black heads: mix baking soda with water; rub gently the face for about 2-3 minutes; finish washing the face with warm water.
for closing the pores: mix 150 ml yogurt, 2 tbs almond paste, cucumber juice, 2 drops glycerin; keep it on the face for 30 min; wash the face with warm water; rinse with cold water; repeat every 3 days.
for body seborrhea: bath decoctions or infusions of plants like Linden Flowers, Peppermint, Lavender, Basil, Chamomile.
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