Experiencing breakouts or acne can make a pretty big impact in our lives. It can affect your confidence and self-esteem, limit the activities you participate in, or cause you to use products that are actually doing more harm than good.

Here’s the inconvenient truth about acne: it won’t be cured by a miracle cream!

To really address it, you’ll need to practice some loving self-care from the outside in, and the inside out.

You’ll also need a healthy dose of patience, because clearing up acne-prone skin doesn’t happen overnight. It results from the cumulative effect of gradually reducing toxicity and replacing it with genuine nourishment.

So here are some ways you can do that.

Inside out.

1. Cut the junk, you know what it is. 
   Sugar, processed foods, takeout, excessive alcohol, and anything else you just know has an unhealthy effect on your body, make a commitment to let it go if you want clear skin.
2. Eat real, living food. 
   Fresh organic produce, especially vibrantly colored vegetables and fruit have the vitamins and minerals your body needs to repair and rejuvenate your skin. We also recommend probiotics and fermented foods for their beneficial bacteria. And remember, eating wholesome food goes hand-in-hand with cooking more!
3. Healthy fats. 
   Your skin needs Omega-3 fats and vitamin E to repair itself, so eat healthy sources of fat such as coconut oil, avocados, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
4. Reduce stress. 
   Stress creates hormonal imbalance, which can contribute to breakouts. Assess your life for stress, and take steps to reduce it. Along those lines, get more sleep!
5. Be kind to yourself. 
   What you tell yourself matters, so speak lovingly to yourself, without judgment about your skin or anything else. Cultivate inner harmony of thoughts and emotions so your vibrancy can shine from within.

Outside in.

1. Avoid harsh products. 
   Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Check the labels of the products you’re using, and avoid the ones that contain long lists of chemicals or leave your skin feeling irritated. Use products with naturally derived ingredients instead, such as shea butter.
2. Assess your environment.
   Pollutants in the air you breathe and that your skin is exposed to could be contributing to your breakouts. Evaluate your home and office for anything toxic, including cleaning products, off-gassing carpets or furniture, dust, or other pollutants, then take steps to reduce your exposure.
3. Put food on your face. 
   Mashed avocado, raw honey, and coconut oil are just a few of the healthy foods you can use as natural, affordable facials! They contain a variety of nutrients that will help heal, nourish, and cleanse your skin. Raw honey is an especially good exfoliator too.
4. Use essential oils. 
   In the evening before bed, after you’ve gently cleansed, try the following essential oils in moderation to see which one works best for you: tea tree oil, lavender, clary sage, lemongrass, rosemary, or chamomile essential oils. You can use them as spot treatments, or dilute with a carrier oil such as apricot, jojoba, or coconut oil, and use as an overall nightly treatment.
5. Surround yourself with positivity. 
   Your relationships, career, and social environments impact you on a deeper level that can affect your physical symptoms or hinder healing. At IIN, we refer to this as primary food. Check in with yourself regarding any potential unhappiness relating to who you’re with or what you’re doing regularly. Move in the direction of more uplifting experiences.

When it comes to the treatment of any preventable symptoms, we embrace the holistic approach at Integrative Nutrition. This not only involves using natural foods and remedies, but also a process of self-exploration. We are all unique, and your ultimate treatment may differ from others. It is through self-questioning, experimentation, and your own intuition that you’ll ultimately find your ideal balance.

Want to learn more about our approach? Get our Curriculum Guide today!

Do you have your own remedies for acne? Share with us below!