Acne Guide: Supplements, Serums And Gut Cleansing Drinks!
Get all the green deets on how you can reduce acne.
Let’s face it; dealing with acne can be tiresome. Add in those Insta filters with fake skin and you’ve got a recipe for insecurity when there shouldn’t be any. The truth is there are many people across the globe dealing with acne issues and are searching for solutions. In fact, this skin issue is so common that there is even a whole month dedicated to educating people on acne and its various treatment measures. Yes, June is Acne Awareness Month and whether you’re a teenager suffering from new breakouts or you’re in your 30s dealing with pimples every month, we’ve got a list of green treatments that can help you achieve clear, healthy skin.
Why Does It Happen?
This is one of the main questions going through everyone’s mind. Acne can occur due to multiple reasons but the most common explanation for this skin issue is when your pores are blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria it can result in breakouts. If you have oily skin, then this problem is probably all too real for you. People with oily skin are more prone to developing breakouts as the excess sebum gets trapped in these pores. Along with this, other factors like hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy, expired cosmetics, certain medications, or a diet high in refined sugars or carbohydrates can all lead to acne.
Treatments To Reduce Acne
Supplements
Inside beauty plays a huge role in how your skin looks and feels. And with every issue, there are various supplements that help. When it comes to dealing with acne-prone skin, here are a few vitamins and minerals that are worth investing in.
– Zinc
The components found in this mineral can decrease oil production in the skin, and protect it against bacterial infection and inflammation. While there are zinc tablets available in the market, you need to be careful as too much can cause other health issues.
You can also opt for natural options like chickpeas, lentils and beans, pine nuts, peanuts, cashews and almonds to boost the amount of zinc in your body. For all the non-vegetarians out there, eggs, red meat and shellfish all have copious amounts of zinc.
– Vitamin A
You’ve heard about the magic of retinol when it comes to dealing with pimples and scars. Well, retinol is a vitamin A derivative and this vitamin is famously known to help fight new breakouts. How? Well, it has antioxidant properties that help fight inflammation and free radicals, giving you clear skin in the process. Foods like cheese, eggs, oily fish, leafy vegetables like spinach, milk and yoghurt are all rich in vitamin A and can help stop breakouts from the inside out.
– Vitamin D
“Sit out in the morning sun if you want strong bones”. Heard this line before? Well, vitamin D is known for improving bone health, but recently, researchers found that it can help treat acne as well. But this doesn’t mean you need to sit in the sun the entire day to reduce your acne. This vitamin has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, so if your breakouts are caused by unwanted bacteria then this supplement can help. Include foods like oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver, egg yolks to acne-proof your diet.
Serums
Along with supplements, the right topical products can also work wonders. There is a notion that serums and oily skin don’t go together but this is far from the truth. There are serums specially created for acne-prone skin, which is why you need to scan the label thoroughly. Since acne is caused due to excess sebum, it’s important to avoid pore-clogging ingredients and look for those which have non-comedogenic oils and ingredients.
– Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps reduce mild acne by neutralizing inflation and stopping breakouts. But that’s not all! Acne scarring is very common as you get older and a vitamin C serum can also brighten the scars left behind.
– AHAS
AHAs are notably used to treat acne by drying it up. But the benefits don’t stop at just reducing breakouts. AHAs can exfoliate, promote collagen, reduce correct discolouration from scars and even reduce fine lines. Some serums enriched with AHAs can make your skin a bit sensitive, so sunscreen is an absolute must if you want to avoid sun damage.
Gut-Cleansing Drinks
If you’ve been with us for a while now, then you know about TGM’s concept of inside-out beauty. This is especially true when it comes to tackling acne and breakouts. Consuming gut-cleansing drinks or detox smoothies for pimples not only enhances the detox process within the body but also treats skin inflammation. You don’t even need to down a bitter, all-veggie drink to get the skin you want. Your detox drinks can be flavourful as it’s all about choosing the right acne-fighting ingredients.
– Blueberry smoothie
These berries are high in antioxidants, fibre, and nutrients. All these put together can help fight inflammation related to acne, psoriasis, eczema, and premature ageing. All you need are 4 simple ingredients.
Ingredients
– A cup of frozen blueberries
– 3/4th cup low-fat milk
– 2 tablespoons of sugar
Method
Blend all the ingredients until you get a smooth paste without any lumps.
– Kale, Mint & Coconut Smoothie
Mint leaves have antimicrobial properties and is great for killing those pesky acne-causing bacteria. Kale, on the other hand, has anti-inflammatory properties while coconut is rich in antioxidants. All these ingredients when combined together not only help reduce acne but also minimize scarring.
Ingredients
A cup of shredded kale
One-fourth cup of fresh mint leaves
Juice of one lime
A cup of coconut water
A tablespoon of chia seeds
Method
Simply blend the ingredients in the blender until you get a smooth paste.
TGM’S BONUS TIPS
Since it is acne awareness month, we’re including a few bonus tips that can aid in the fight against acne and breakouts.
Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
Always use clean towels on your face to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
Apply a small amount of the prescribed cream on the problem areas after cleansing the skin. Don’t use too much.
Opt for water-based or non-comedogenic cosmetics and makeup and avoid oil-based products.
No matter how satisfying it may feel, do not pick or squeeze your pimples.
It’s time we start promoting the fact that acne skin is normal and plenty of people all over the world deal with this issue. If that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t have an entire month dedicated to it. This acne awareness month is a great time for you to focus on giving your skin the nutrients it needs and accept the results, whatever it may be.
