Why Bother Treating Acne Naturally?
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you would want to let go of conventional methods for treating acne? What about easy ways to get rid of acne for good? I know I have in the past. I simply couldn’t grasp how anything natural could possibly work better than my benzoyl peroxide cream or leading pharmaceuticals like Accutane. It just seemed easier to take some pills or smear on some cream than to…*gasp*…change my lifestyle!
Who knew that something as straightforward as living a healthier life could have such dramatic results?
I certainly didn't believe it until it happened.
How it All Started - My Journey Toward Treating Acne Naturally
It all began about 5 or 6 years ago when I came down with the nastiest episode of bronchitis of my life right smack dab in the dead of winter. Snow furled outside, blanketing everything in knee deep snow that was only getting deeper by the hour. I grew up in San Diego my whole life, so you can imagine my shock at the sight of such a thing. We don't get blizzards in Southern California.
My bronchitis was at the point where I cried because I thought I was going to suffocate. I was all alone with no friends or family nearby for a thousand miles. The medicine cabinets were empty...no Nyquil, no Robitussin, nothing. I was starting to get desperate, and I definitely wasn’t getting any better.
I looked online for advice and found an article that suggested a very strong thyme tea. Luckily, I had some in the spice cabinet and put the kettle on the stove. To be honest I really didn’t think it would do much. I mean really? Thyme is supposed to get rid of THIS?? Needless to say, the thyme tea helped immensely with the boggy feeling in my chest.
As icky as it tasted, I truly believe this “thyme tea” kept my bronchitis from progressing into pneumonia, which is probably what was beginning to happen.
This simple remedy is one of my greatest times of need is what changed my outlook on what we use on and in our bodies for health, so of course, I started wondering about skincare too, although I didn’t start applying them until somewhat later.
Despite my close encounter with pneumonia, I still used harsh chemicals to treat my acne, which at the time, was steadily getting worse due to an unhappy relationship. Every morning and evening, I would apply benzoyl peroxide to my entire face after my Proactive products. It was just an endless battle that never amounted to the results I really wanted. I still got acne on a day-in-day-out basis without fail.
Clearly, something needed to change.
Snap Out of It!
When my acne started really spiraling out of control, I made the decision to do some research and begin treating my acne naturally. No more popping blackheads and pimples until I knew what I needed to focus on.
That’s when I came across Fran’s blog and how she was going through a similar journey. Her approach was about holistic living and healing. I was pretty much hooked! I had never considered my lifestyle to be such a huge factor in the quality of my skin, but it all started making sense to me.
I was working a really stressful job with a perpetually angry micro-managing boss, I was eating an unhealthy diet, and I was in a very difficult and stressful relationship; 3 ingredients for highly acne-prone skin!
My first holistic adventure started with cutting out meat and dairy, adding more fruits and vegetables, and trying to get more exercise. Things were going pretty well and my face started clearing up a bit, but old habits die hard as they say, and I was soon back to my acne-prone self.
Things went on and off like this for a while until I started learning about juicing. I even went on a juice cleanse for 7 days and had dramatic results after just 3! The irritation, inflammation, and redness was starting to lessen and dissipate. I was thrilled! I guess my body really needed those dense nutrients in order to allow my liver to “let go” of all the various toxins (including toxic emotions) that it was holding onto.
A juice cleanse was exactly what I needed to help my body start with a fresh slate.
Life Lessons
Is taking some pills or smearing on some cream easier? Probably.
Would I do anything differently? Yup. But you know what? These things are all a part of living life.
Was it worth it? Totally.
Have I learned more about myself and grown substantially because of it? Sure have, and I feel so much more healthy and accomplished than ever before! I beat down the beast with natural healing; the most effective natural treatment for acne out there without chemicals.
Am I suffering from weird side effects from changing my lifestyle, eating habits, and physical activity as opposed to Accutane, birth control, and poor diet?
Nope.
I have virtually no side effects from eating healthy, getting quality sleep, exercising regularly, and using natural skincare. In fact, all of the side effects from using UN-natural methods have disappeared.
So, if you're stuck on getting your own acne clear, you may want to look into the root causes.
Are you eating a healthy diet?
Are you getting outside and moving your body on a daily basis?
Do you drink enough water?
Are your hormones in balance?
If the answer is no to any of these questions, start there!
What have been your turning points in treating acne naturally? Please share in the comments below!
You may also enjoy reading:
Are Emotions Causing Your Acne?
Is Vitamin D Deficiency Causing Your Acne?
5 Easy Remedies for Cystic Acne
3 Steps to Improve your Female Hormonal Acne – Anyone Can do It!
Essential Oils for Hormonal Acne
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