Acne!

by Victoria
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Hi! Well to the point, I use to have really bad acne and I went to a dermatologist and they prescribed antibiotics, topical cream, and birth control all at once.

I only took the antibiotics and cream and my face cleared up. I don't like taking pills so I stopped once the really bad acne cleared up. But what can I do to improve my skin?

And on top of that, what can I do to remove or at least the quicken the healing process of post-acne-pigmentation? I have really dark scars that cover my entire face and I want to stop wearing make up over it without feeling self conscious. Thanks for reading this!!

Michelle says: Hi Victoria,

Fortunately there's a lot you can do to improve your complexion.

The first step is to make a commitment to drink enough water every single day - even when you don't feel like it. Water is so important because it helps to flush out toxins from your system. A build up of toxins can lead to skin eruptions.

Water is also important because it improves the look of your skin. I've written a page where you can learn more about why water is so essential: The Many Health Benefits of Water

Another helpful thing to do is to get out into the sunshine as often as you can. It almost sounds too simple, but the fact is, sunlight is great for your complexion. It also has natural anti-bacterial properties that help to fight acne.

The most important thing to do however, is to focus on a healthy, well-balanced diet. Many people have had a lot of success in getting rid of acne on a plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Especially important are fresh raw fruits and veggies. Loading up on green vegetables helps to promote a healthy glowing complexion. I hope you like vegetables! ;-)

If your diet is already healthy and you're still getting break outs, you may have an underlying food intolerance or sensitivity. Some common foods that can cause a reaction in some people are dairy products, corn, soy, and wheat. Other foods can cause a problem as well.

Everyone is different, so it's a matter of finding out what's causing a problem for you. If you suspect something, stop eating it for a while and see if it makes any difference.

For acne pigmentation try vitamin e oil. It's great for fading spots and scars. It does take a little time, but you can speed up the process by eating a high raw food diet. That helps to speed up your body's ability to heal and regenarate.

Here's some good brands of vitamin e to choose from:

derma e Vitamin E Skin Oil 28,000 I.U.

Pure Vitamin E Oil 32,000 I.U.

Hope that helps!

Michelle