A Recipe for a Clear complexion Part2
What to do when the recipe isn’t enough
Extra help for acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition, the exact cause of which is not known. However there are many factors that can contribute towards acne such as; hormones, oily skin, poor diet, allergies, the use of certain medication (such as; steroids, lithium and oral contraceptives) as well as also possibly being hereditary.

Hormonal imbalances such as; the over production of the male hormone testosterone can contribute towards acne. Premenstrual flare ups of spots in women can be caused by the release of progesterone after ovulation. This is also why some oral contraceptives containing progesterone may produce breakouts of spots.

Overactive oil glands can also cause acne. Oil to lubricate the skin, is produced by the sebaceous glands which are located in hair follicles found in abundance on the face, back, chest, and shoulders. If some of the oil becomes trapped, this then allows bacteria to multiply and causes the skin to become inflamed. Dirt and dust from pollution and the overuse of creams can also cause the pores to become clogged. Healthy skin should be able to breathe.

As mentioned in ‘A recipe for a clear complexion part1’, poor diet and unhealthy living can be a big factor in causing outbreaks of spots. Any problems with digestion will also contribute towards acne as essential nutrients needed are not effectively absorbed. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and one of its functions is eliminating waste products from the body via sweat. The skin will inevitably suffer, if the body contains more toxins, than the kidneys and the liver can deal with on their own.

How you treat acne really does depend on whether the cause is hormonal, or due to toxic overload, and this can be difficult to determine. For women if they have flare ups at particular times of the month this is likely to indicate the causes are hormonal.

Acne and the female cycle
Oestrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall at particular times in a women’s cycle. Problems occur when there is an imbalance of these hormones, as the female hormones can reduce the size and activity of the sebaceous gland. The hormonal system is extremely complex, and it is difficult to determine imbalances yourself. If you suffer from spots at particular times of your cycle it may be worth visiting a medical herbalist who can help determine whether you have high or low levels of oestrogen and/or progesterone and treat accordingly.

Agnus castus is a very effective remedy for women who suffer from acne due to high levels of oestrogen, and could therefore make the situation worse if a woman has low levels of oestrogen. It can also be effective in treating teenage acne for both genders. However it is important to note any remedy looking at balancing hormones, is going to interact with any other medication that works on the hormones. Taking Agnus castus for example can stop the contraceptive pill from working.

Bioforce, however do make a herbal tincture called Female essence, that can be used with all types of hormonal imbalances, and has no reported contraindications. (Many health food shops stock Bioforce products &for more information on their products look at www.avogel.co.uk )

Male hormones and acne
Acne in both men and women is also commonly caused by the over production of testosterone. High levels of testosterone trigger large amounts of sebum to be produced, which can cause oily skin. Testosterone also stimulates the cells to produce more of the protein keratin, which can bind with the sebum and block the pores. The pores are then more likely to become infected, as toxins and bacteria are unable to escape.

Again if you suspect hormones to be contributing towards problems with acne, then visiting a medical herbalist would be a good idea due to the complex nature of the hormonal system.

To find a medical herbalist in you area, look at the national Institute of Medical Herbalists website: www.nimh.org.uk


Alcohol sugar, fats and caffeine can all increase testosterone levels, and making changes in your diet is one of the first courses of action in the fight against acne. The rise in cases of adult acne today is more often than not the result of an overload of toxins.

Acne caused by toxic overload
Attacking acne with diet sounds too simple to have any effect, but can actually produce remarkable results. Fat, sugar and processed foods all make the body have to work harder at eliminating toxins. There may also be a possibility that acne may be caused by developing food intolerances to foods such as diary products.

The liver is a very important organ in the bodies natural detoxification process, however if it is overloaded with high levels of toxins it will look to other organs such as the lungs and skin to take up the slack. Acne can be one of the first signs that your liver is overloaded.

Undertaking a general detox and keeping a food diary, may be a useful exercise, and there are a number of good books available which can guide you through this process. As foods are reintroduced slowly and any physical symptoms are noted, problem foods can be identified. With any detoxing treatment, it is important to note that as toxins are extracted symptoms may actually get worse before they get better. It is also likely to take many months to reverse the effects of years of bad habits and eating unhealthily.

As mentioned in last fortnight’s article, there are nutrients essential for skin health. Other nutrients that are important are:

· Vitamin A helps cells reproduce, so is useful as skin cells have a fast rate of production. Found in eggs, yogurt and oily fish.
· Vitamin C helps with the production of elastin and collagen which helps with complexion and keep skin firm. Found in citrus fruits, peppers, brussel sprouts, and kiwi fruit.
· Vitamin E is useful in the fight against acne as it can balance hormones, and is well known for preventing scarring. It can be found in soya, olive oil, corn, wheatgerm, and nuts and seeds.


Useful herbs to help with Acne

Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a good all rounder for skin care. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities and has been found to aid cell regeneration. Many alternative therapists advocate its use internally and externally for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Aloe Vera gel is also an extremely effective moisturiser which works in two ways. Firstly it has the ability to carry moisture and nutrients down through all the layers of the skin, and secondly it creates a barrier which prevents the moisture from escaping. As well as this it has anti-ageing qualities. Studies have found that Aloe Vera increases the production of ‘fibroblast’ cells found in the skin, which in turn stimulate the production of collagen, thus keeping the skin firm and supple.

Burdock root
Burdock root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a blood cleanser for many years. Burdock has been found to be anti-microbial which means it can rid the body of harmful bacteria making it very useful in the fight against spots. It also acts as a tonic for the skin, and its ability to reduce inflammation makes it an effective remedy to use for anyone suffering with acne, or indeed for other skin problems such as eczema.

Milk thistle
Milk thistle is a well known herb used for increasing the liver’s detoxification capabilities, which therefore means less toxins have to escape through the skin, hopefully resulting in better skin condition. It also encourages the growth of healthy liver cells, which should keep the liver in tip top working condition. Milk thistle has also been shown to normalise skin cell replication, and alongside its anti-inflammatory action makes it another useful remedy in treating acne.

Viola Tricola (Wild Pansy)
Available from Bioforce; Viola Tricola works in three ways by: soothing inflamed areas of skin, improving elimination of toxins via the kidneys, and strengthening the capillaries and therefore improving the way in which nutrients journey to the skin.

Additional suggestions
Keep skin areas affected as free from products as possible should allow the skin to breath.

Taking cardiovascular exercise which makes you sweat may also be a good idea, as toxins will escape in the sweat, and then can be washed away.

A steam sauna can help flush toxins out of the skin, as well as unblocking and cleaning out pores without abrasive action. In a saucepan or a bowl boil some water, and when boiling place your face a comfortable distance over the bowl (with a towel over your head to help trap the steam). You could also try adding different essential oils such as; lavender which is an antiseptic and can kill germs and stimulate the growth of new cells. Other oils that may help in the fight against spots include:

· Lemon
· Bergamot
· Chamomile
· Rosemary &
· Tea tree

If you want to try putting something directly on the spots then try:
· Tea tree oil which is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic.
· Witch Hazel has astringent qualities and dabbed on individual spots can help clear them up.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Note: Information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, who should be the first port of call with any of the mentioned health conditions. I am not medically qualified, but have been interested in nutrition since my eldest daughter developed food intolerances around 20 years ago. I have researched this piece from reputable internet sites and by reading through books such as;

The Food Doctor, Healing foods for mind and body by Vicki Edgson & Ian Marber
Superfoods by Michael Van Straten & Barbara Griggs
Prescription for Nutritional healing 2nd edition by James F Balch M.D & Phyllis A. Balch C.N.C
Food your miracle medicine by Jean Harper
The food pharmacy by Jean Harper
500 of the most important health tips you’ll ever need by Hazel Courteney