Acne and What to Do About It - Herbal Acne Astringent Recipe
Healthy, clear skin is something many people, specifically adolescents, struggle to maintain. The fact is there are many aspects that may contribute to skin problems including stress, diet, hormonal changes, sluggish liver and kidneys, and constipation. If you have been diagnosed with acne vulgaris (common acne) by your healthcare provider, you may have been told that you are dealing with an inflammatory disease of the skin, in which your hair follicles are blocked by oils from your subaceous glands. These oils mix with naturally occurring dead skin cells, thus creating a bacteria garden growing in your pores. The area becomes inflamed, and boom! -- you have yourself lesions, red bumps, blackheads, and/or whiteheads on your face, back, shoulders, arms or chest that will make you want to hide in your room for days or weeks until they go away. Unfortunately, we can't hide for too long and some of us have no choice but to show our faces to the world on a daily basis.
So what can we do about it?
Luckily, there are options. Lifestyle modifications such as avoiding constipation, cleansing the liver and kidneys, eating a healthy diet including the avoidance of processed foods, exercising, taking the proper supplements and washing your skin regularly can all help with clearing up acne.
Below is a homemade herbal acne astringent that I prepared the other day for myself and my teenage boys. It is wonderful for use after cleansing the skin and utilizes the yarrow plant which is a natural astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory. As an astringent it helps bring about contractions in muscles, tissues and blood vessels which helps tighten skin, and as an antiseptic it helps fight bacteria and fungus. The anti-inflammatory properties help with the inflammation that is present in acne-prone skin.
Other ingredients in this astringent include calendula, chamomile, juniper and rosemary. Calendula is also an anti-inflammatory and has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritation. Calendula does such a great job at healing wounds that one must take care not to put it over an infection as it may lock the infection in. Otherwise, this herb is wonderful for the skin and helps to improve skin hydration and firmness. Chamomile cleanses and prevents infection when used on the skin and is a soothing herb. It is very calming and hydrating. Think chamomile tea -- the insomniacs favorite go-to bedtime tea which promotes relaxation and peaceful dreams. Juniper is great for wounds and is very effective for acne as it is also an astringent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic like the yarrow plant. It is a natural cleanser and detoxifier. Rosemary helps to moisturize and revitalize the skin, and is a natural antimicrobial and antiseptic. Not only does rosemary help to improve the skin, fight infection, and speed wound healing, it also helps to improve memory. Added bonus!
Together, these ingredients work synergistically to improve skin health and fight acne. Use this external protocol along with the suggested lifestyle modifications and you may just see your acne clear up in no time!
What you will need:
2 cups distilled water
1 tablespoon Yarrow
1/2 tablespoon Calendula
1/2 tablespoon Chamomile Flowers
4 drops juniper essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
Boil the 2 cups of distilled water and remove from heat. Add yarrow, calendula and chamomile, cover and let sit for 30 minutes. Add the juniper and rosemary essential oils, stir, and strain into a glass mason jar using cheesecloth to seperate the herb from the liquid. Shake it up a bit to fully mix the essential oils in.
Label and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Instructions for use: Dip cotton ball into solution (use up to 1 tsp) and apply to affected areas on skin after cleansing. Allow to dry and follow up with moisturizer. Use daily. Do not use on children under 10 years of age.
*This protocol may also be used on minor cuts and abrasions to help heal wounds and prevent infection.
Good luck and happy acne-fighting!!
If interested in help with lifestyle modifications such as which supplements would be beneficial or how to cleanse your liver or kidneys, please don't hesitate to ask!
Warning: Do not use of you have an allergy to any of the ingredients or to the botanical family of any of the ingredients.
