The document discusses natural remedies for acne from addressing internal and external factors. Internally, it recommends taking a probiotic, fat soluble vitamins like fermented cod liver oil, gelatin/collagen, L-glutamine, and balancing hormones. Externally, it recommends oil cleansing, honey face washing, clay masks, probiotic creams, and apple cider vinegar as a toner. It also discusses the role of the skin microbiome and using probiotic yogurt on the skin. The key message is that acne has internal causes related to gut and hormone health that must be addressed along with topical remedies.

1. acne
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natural remedies for

2. This was devastating
to me, and I nearly
surrendered myself to
a life of blemishes,
scars, and thick
makeup.
As a teenager, I
had terrible acne
that no approach
or medication
would correct.

3. The hormonal changes of pregnancy helped my
acne somewhat, making me realize that there
was an internal and hormonal connection
that was contributing to my skin problems.
I started researching and decided that since I
hadn’t gotten answers or help from
conventional methods, alternative remedies
were worth a try. I also researched in detail
the gut/skin connection and how hormones
affected skin.
Slowly and finally, I started to see
improvement. I kept a log of what helped and
what didn’t along the way, and I can now say
I’m acne free (and scar free).

4. skin health from the inside out

5. • One thing I learned in the process of
fixing my skin, was that there isn’t an
overnight solution and (at least for me)
the problem was as much internal as
external.
• When we isolate the skin and try to
treat it externally as an independent
organ, we miss a tremendous number
of internal factors.
• I was shocked to learn that those with
digestive problems like Crohn’s
Disease and IBS were also more likely
to have skin problems, and certain
medications that helped with skin
conditions were also helpful to
digestive troubles.
• One study also found that those with
bacterial overgrowth in the gut were
more likely to suffer from severe skin
conditions like acne.

6. • At the same time, I discovered
accidentally that certain foods and
supplements gave me the ability to tan
without burning for the first time in my life
(and essentially even changed my skin
tone).
• I found that those with leaky gut were
more likely to suffer from cystic acne and
skin troubles, and as we did the GAPS
protocol to heal my son’s gut problems
and allergies, my skin improved too.
• Though the specifics will certainly vary by
individual, addressing gut problems and
improving gut health are important steps
to dealing with acne.
• The specific things I found helpful in
improving my gut health and
inadvertently, my skin health are…

7. Internal remedies for acne

8. • Taking a good quality
probiotic. I’ve taken
several over the years,
but the one that seemed
most helpful for acne
was Prescript Assist.
• Fat Soluble Vitamins:
Once I added Fermented
Cod Liver Oil to my daily
regimen, my skin started
to improve and it has
continually gotten better
over time. I also noticed
I got fewer stretch marks
when I was taking FCLO
during pregnancy and
using natural products
on my stomach.

9. • Gelatin/Collagen: I’m a big fan of
gelatin and collagen powder for many
reasons, but I credit these with
speeding the healing of my skin from
years of acne. Two great natural brands
are Great Lakes and Vital Proteins.
• L-Glutamine & HCL: I also started
taking L-Glutamine for leaky gut and
gut health, and it seemed to have a big
impact on my skin as well. I still take l-
Glutamine daily on an empty stomach
to help with gut and skin health. I also
still take Betaine HCL to improve my
digestion and skin health.

10. • I personally found that balancing
hormones was a big factor for me.
• Hormone balance is a moving
target, especially for women, but
these are the steps that helped me.
• Several close friends had their acne
drastically improve just by removing
sugary drinks and pasteurized dairy
so that is a great place to start if
you still consume those.

11. topical remedies for acne

12. As I worked to fix my internal problems that
were contributing to my acne, I found that
external remedies actually started to work
and seemed to speed the process.
I’m convinced that these still would not have
worked if I hadn’t been addressing the
internal aspects too, but in combination with
addressing gut health, these helped:
• Using the oil cleansing method each
night before bed or in the shower each
day
• Raw honey as a supplemental face wash
or gentle mask a few times a week

13. • A deep cleansing healing clay mud
mask once or twice per week
• A probiotic skin cream
• During the adjustment period, diluted
apple cider vinegar (2/3 water and 1/3
raw ACV) helped as a toner used after
face washing
• Sea Spray calming salt mist for skin
also helped balance the oils on my
skin

14. missing link: the Skin Microbiome

15. • Science is just starting to understand the
role of microbes in skin health and I suspect
that we will see a rise in skin-biome related
companies and products in the next few
years.
• The basic idea is just as we have a
microbiome in the gut, we also have a
microbiome in our mouths, on our skin and
in other parts of the body. Some emerging
research suggests that probiotics and other
substances that support the skin
microbiome can reduce skin inflammation,
repair the skin barrier and reduce acne.
• For a short term way to deliver probiotics to
the skin, I like mixing a tablespoon of
organic yogurt with a capsule of probiotics
and rubbing on the skin. I leave on for 10
minutes and wash off.

16. TO learn more about
internal and external
remedies for acne,
Click here.

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