Get Clear Skin Fast and Naturally

Getting clear skin from natural ingredients in food or beauty products is popular and eco friendly. Many of the healthy foods found in your kitchen can double as a good diet and as a do-it-yourself mixture to apply to your skin. Although expensive creams, gels, and powders from the store provide some benefits for your skin, your diet is the primary step in attaining and keeping healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are naturally good for your diet, but they are increasingly becoming important ingredient in the world of natural skin care cosmetics.

Steps

Choosing Natural Ingredients

1. Decide if natural ingredients are better. Natural beauty is an attractive option, but changing from your true and tried face cleansers, moisturizers, and face masks is not as simple as changing your pants. There are many factors that must be considered before switching to the “green” option.
   • Despite the popularity of natural products, very few studies have been conducted on the impact of fruits and vegetables on human skin.
   • There are no federal regulations regarding natural skin products. It is better to check the packaging to determine what is inside the product if you buy it at the store.
2. Select between organic, natural, and vegan. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the distinction between these terms. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), however, does provide an official seal for organic beauty products.
   • Many natural beauty products originate from overseas. In that case, you should be familiar with ECOCERT (French) and BDIH (German) designations for natural cosmetics.
   • The USDA will certify organic beauty products that contain natural ingredients such as honey, berries, and other fruits as long as they are void of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and other inorganic substances.
   • Here are the four organic levels certifications of the USDA: 100% organic; organic (95% organic produced ingredients); made with organic ingredients (70% of organic ingredients); and less than 70% of organic ingredients. Only the top two levels will display an official seal from the USDA.
3. Understand the claims for going natural or vegan. The basic claim is that these ingredients did not come from animal products. Vegan also means that the product was not tested on animals, but that does not necessarily mean that vegan is organic. You should also be aware that the words “natural” and “all-natural” really have no certifiable evidence that they are because they are not regulated by the USDA or the FDA.
   • If unsure, check the FDA website which contains food labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Most prepared foods require labeling but nutrition labeling for raw produce and fish is voluntary.
4. Think carefully about a manufactured brand. It is estimated that the average person applies ten different skin care products on their body each day. Most products are safe, but there are still ingredients you have to be aware of and their harmful effects. Few studies, however, have been conducted to discover long-term effects of placing so many creams and oils on the skin. Most are mild in small quantities while others, like phthalates, are linked to birth defects, infertility, sperm damage, and even feminization of male babies. Read the label!
   • Downsize the amount of creams, toners, and moisturizers you have. Most products simply do not deliver the promises made on their labels. Instead, purchase one basic cleanser, toner, and moisturizer since there is little difference between them.
   • Beware of fragrances because they do not have to label the toxic chemicals that produce a product’s fragrance. This is where many of the toxic ingredients are located.
5. Look out for non-natural ingredients. There are hundreds of skin care products on the shelves claiming to be natural but, in reality, toxins still exist in many of them. Knowing what is extremely hazardous and what can and cannot cause serious illness will help you decide whether to continue purchasing your products at the store or begin to make many of the easy mixtures at home.
   • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found phthalates, a chemical plasticizer found in fragrances, to be a possible cause of birth defects.
   • The formaldehyde found in skin care products is a carcinogen that can cause nausea, coughing, asthma, and burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat.

Doing It Yourself

1. Use a gentle cleanser. If you want to avoid using prescription products, try washing your face twice a day with mild soap and warm water using your hands instead of a wash cloth.
   • Avoid treating your skin with irritable products such as facial scrubs, masks, or other astringents that tend to worsen your skin condition.
   • Be careful not to excessively wash and scrub your face because it will irritate your skin.
   • If you have a breakout or rash, be careful when shaving since it will either make the area sore or worsen the breakout.
   • Use water as a natural toner because it will not strip your skin of oil. Most commercial toners use chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives that are harsh on your skin and strip it of oil causing the overproduction of skin oil as a reaction. Water, on the other hand, does not possess perfume, oils, or other unnecessary accessories. Be careful of tap water, however, as chlorine and limescale can cause irritability and dry, red, flaky skin.
   • Aloe vera is an excellent anti-inflammatory that will help seal in moisture.
2. Dry excess oil and promote peeling. At the store, look for products that contain benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient. Benzoyl peroxide, when applied to the skin, reduces the amount of acne-causing bacteria by drying the skin and making it peel.
   • Besides benzoyl peroxide, look for products that have sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid because these ingredients prevent pores from becoming plugged, remove dead skin cells, and remove excess oils.
   • The FDA recommends caution using popular nonprescription acne lotions, cleansers, and soaps due to the possibility of causing skin reactions.
   • If you have sensitive skin, be aware that the possible side effects from using these products include dry skin, redness, scaling, and burning sensations.
3. Use moisturizers. Moisturizers have many benefits for the skin, such as protection, improved skin tone and texture, treat dry skin, and cover up imperfections. Not all skin is the same, therefore, the moisturizer you choose will depend on if you have dry, oily, sensitive, or normal skin.
   • Water-based moisturizers go with nearly all skin types because they typically contain light oils, silicone-derived ingredients, and leave a non-greasy feel to them after application.
   • Petroleum-based moisturizers offer longer protection and act as a sealant, keeping moisture from evaporating off of your skin.
   • For dry skin, consider a heavier, oil-based moisturizer that focus on hydration.
   • If you have acne or oily skin, use a water-based moisturizer that is classified as non-comedogenic because it won’t clog your pores.
   • Sensitive skin prone to irritation, redness, or rashes requires a more soothing moisturizer with chamomile or aloe and is void of fragrances and dyes. Acids should be avoided too.
   • As your skin matures it becomes dryer and less flexible. In this case, choose an oil-based moisturizer with a petrolatum foundation, antioxidants, and alpha hydroxyl acids to fight wrinkled skin.
4. Avoid irritants. Maintain good hygiene and keep your hair, hands, and tight clothing off of your face. Be mindful of sweating and dress appropriately.
   • You also want to avoid cosmetics, sunscreens, hair products, and acne concealers that are oily or greasy. Stick to water-based or non-comedogenic products that are less likely to cause acne.
   • When wearing sunscreen, which you should wear everyday, use an oil-free moisturizer or a moisturizer that already included a sunscreen ingredient.

Eating Properly

1. Eat a healthy diet for glowing, radiant and luminous skin. Naturally gorgeous skin starts with eating a diet full of vitamins and minerals. All foods break down into the building blocks that create collagen and elastic tissue, which makes your skin strong and supple.
   • The best diet includes lots of colorful vegetables and fruits. These foods are high in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that help repair damaged skin.
   • Avocados and olive oil contain healthy fats that make absorbing nutrients easier.
   • Carbohydrates – brown rice, quinoa, and squash – and proteins such as in pomegranates, Greek yogurt, and kidney beans, are also important for repairing and building muscle.
2. Drink water for hydration. Studies on water have shown increase blood flow to the surface of your skin, aiding the skin’s density and thickness. If the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, does not retain enough water it will lose elasticity and feel course.
   • The signs of aging skin are minimized when you skin is hydrated by drinking 8-10 eight-ounce servings of water a day.
   • Despite the connection between water and a hydrated epidermis, there is no evidence that drinking excess water will increase the hydration of your skin.
   • Beyond water, avoid exposure to dry air, use a gentler skin cleanser, avoid products that contain alcohol, moisturize your skin after a shower, and use a humidifier to help you maintain hydrated skin.
3. Drink green tea. Green tea possesses an abundant amount of plant polyphenols and antioxidants that protect the skin against UV rays, accelerated aging of the skin, and loss of tissue elasticity.
   • When drinking green tea, squeeze citrus juice into your tea. This provides better absorption of the antioxidants, keeping it in the body longer with lasting benefits.
   • Green tea is good for the eyes too. You can steep your tea for drinking and then squeeze the excess water from the tea bags. Chill green tea bags and then place them on your eyes for ten or fifteen minutes. The tannins inside the tea will constrict the skin and help reduce puffiness.
   • Apply green tea powder to your sunscreen. The benefits of green tea against sun damage are well-documented.
   • Not all studies agree with the impact green tea has on the skin when tested against the damage created by UV rays on inflammation, infection, or on cellular activity.
4. Fill your diet with fruits and vegetables. There are few secrets when it comes to eating healthy with fruits and vegetables. A well-balanced diet is essential for a natural glowing and healthy appearance to your skin. Fruits and vegetables have an unending amount of good nutrients that will nourish your skin and prevent aging and wrinkles. Good nutrition, after all, is the foundation of healthy skin.
   • Fruits like kiwi and pomegranates are rich in pectin, fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. This will help you prevent wrinkles and blemishes while ensuring your skin to be healthier, cleaner, and more beautiful.
   • Papayas are full of vitamin A, a natural exfoliating tonic, will leave your skin spotless while peaches provide moisture to combat dry skin.
   • Citrus fruits like lemons and berries are rich in vitamin C and aid in clearing your skin. Berries – strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and bilberries – are packed with antioxidants famous for rejuvenating your skin.
   • Kale excels as an absorber and neutralizer of free radicals from the sun, protecting your skin from deadly UV rays, even those that penetrate your body through sunscreen. Kale also has high amounts of vitamins A and C, which helps to firm your skin.
   • Yellow, green, and red bell peppers help reduce wrinkles around the eyes because of the boost in antioxidants they provide. Better store up on these yummy vegetables.
   • Carotenoid fruits and vegetables, like carrots, contain high amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Carrots benefit not only your skin but also your hair, teeth, and the digestive system.
5. Get lots of antioxidants in your diet. Antioxidants stabilize the free radicals responsible for causing damage to your skin and accelerating the aging process. Vitamins A and E found in pumpkins, sweet potatoes, carrots, and cantaloupes are high in antioxidants. In other words, eating a healthy diet will help you obtain all the necessary antioxidants your body needs.
   • Although we often associate fruits and vegetables as sources of good antioxidants, spices and herbs are actually very effective. Choose a food, like Indian cuisine, that contains lots of turmeric, one of the best spices to consume.
   • Nutrients such as beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and selenium are good sources for antioxidants.
6. Snack on foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for strengthening your skin and are largely found in fish and nuts. These are good fats that promote the health of the cell membrane, which determines the ability of the cell to hold water, produce moisture, and help reduce wrinkles on the skin.
   • Almonds (antioxidants, vitamin E); pecans (complex B vitamins); hazelnuts (magnesium, unsaturated fats, and vitamin E); and pistachios (vitamin E, oleic acid, and antioxidants) provide enough healthy nutrition that you no longer have to avoid the “nut tray” during holidays.
   • Omega-3 fatty acids are also involved in slowing down the skin’s aging process and impacts how the skin appears.
7. Avoid sugar. Sugar spikes insulin levels which will induce inflammation, irritating and aging your skin. This inflammation breaks down collagen, a protein that aids in the appearance of supple skin, making your skin look dull, dry, and brittle.
   • Although not completely conclusive, diets low on the glycemic index, a system that ranks the effect of blood-sugar levels from 1 to 100, may improve skin from acne.
   • Be aware of protein bars because they are a candy bar in disguise. The sugar from these bars gets into your bloodstream quickly, spiking insulin levels that will cause acne, wrinkles, and rashes.
   • Although fruits are high in sugar, they also have a high fiber content. Fruits are also anti-inflammatory and good for your skin.
   • Dark chocolate and cocoa protect the cardiovascular system, protects your brain, absorb important nutrients, and protection from sun damage to your skin. In this case, choose extra dark chocolate of at least 70 to 85% cocoa concentration.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Stay Away from Junk Food
• Choose Low FODMAP Foods As a Vegetarian
• Heal Acne Scabs
• Count Macronutrients
• Heal Eczema Fast
• Prepare for a Biopsy
• Quickly Heal Open Sores on Your Face
• Eat Properly
• Stop Being Hungry Quickly
• Develop Healthy Eating Habits

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