Attacking Adult Acne for the Low-Carb Dieter

Sagdrina Jalal October 1, 2013 CarbSmart Magazine, Skin Care Leave a comment 533 Views

Generally speaking, I’ve had a really great attitude about turning 40. I feel great; I actually think I am in the best shape of my life. Sure, my eyesight isn’t what it used to be (at first I thought the lights had mysteriously dimmed in my house) and my joints are more ‘vocal’ these days but mostly, it has been a smooth transition.

Until I found a monster-sized pimple planted in the middle of my forehead like a dare. “Now what?” It seemed to say to me as I stared back in the mirror in disbelief.

Now, I’m no stranger to skin issues. With my autoimmune disease comes photosensitivity and with that comes the occasional fine rash or dry patch. This, however, was a throwback to high school and the unpredictable nature of my skin. I reacted as any teenage school girl would. I panicked. And then I pouted. And then I devised a few counterattacks.

Baking Soda Scrub For Beating Adult Acne

A natural exfoliant, baking soda can be used to keep dry skin cells from clogging pores and making a scrub with it will gently remove dead skin from the face. Make a paste with baking soda and the lather from a good natural soap (CarbSmart highly recommends Honey Black Seed Soap as a hydrating agent and acne treatment) and gently run on onto the skin. Remove with a warm washcloth. While a non-abrasive scrub like this offers relief to many, piling on multiple products is a formula for disaster. Also, be careful not to over-exfoliate. It is important to be gentle with your skin. This is definitely not a case for more is better. Scrubbing too hard can leave your skin red and irritated and even make the symptom worse. I would suggest using no more than once or twice per week.

Tea tree Oil and Benzoyl Peroxide Blend For Beating Adult Acne

Benzoyl peroxide (a known acne treatment) does not always provide an effective treatment for adults. When we were teens our skin was nice and firm and could withstand the somewhat harsh experience with peroxide. However, as we age our skin becomes thinner and more sensitive. While not approved by the FDA to treat for acne, tea tree oil is known to reduce inflammation on the skin and scalp. A really great product that combines the benefits of benzoyl peroxide at a lower concentration with the soothing nature of the tea tree oils is Arithmetic Acne Control. It was formulated specifically for adult acne.

Sun Exposure For Beating Adult Acne

Overexposure to the sun has been linked to skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. However, the sun has also been known to improve the health of the skin. Some feel that limited sun exposure improves their acne symptoms. While it might be of temporary benefit, brief might be the a way to good way to see immediate results.

Get Professional Help For Beating Adult Acne

Given that our skin is our largest organ, it makes sense to periodically seek the help of a professional. A dermatologist can evaluate the skin and address any serious concerns. Licensed aestheticians are not medical doctors but are typically well versed in healthy skin. They can help establish a care plan geared to keep the skin free of blemishes and maintain elasticity.

Food For Beating Adult Acne

Eating bad foods (fried, processed or refined) does not cause acne but it can aggravate the problem. Sometimes acne finds its roots in an overproduction of candida (yeast) which can be caused by any number of things such as taking antibiotics or even alcohol consumption. There are a variety of ways your body can find itself dealing with more yeast than it can handle which in turn causes pores to become clogged and acne to develop.

While limiting the bad offers some assurance, eating foods known to improve the state of the skin might be the solution to tip the scales in your favor. Choose foods that repair damage from the sun’s harmful rays, reduce inflammation and provide a healthy dose of probiotic benefit. My Green Glow Smoothie is full of healthy skin producing goodness to keep the acne monster at bay.