Acne is very common, even among adults. There are natural remedies to restore a beautiful face.

Oily skin  , blackheads, small cysts, large red pimples with whiteheads… Acne is a daily occurrence for 15 million people in France. The vast majority are teenagers, but also 20% of adult women. This is normal, as hormones, like genetics, play an important role in this chronic disease caused by an excess of sebum, an oily substance that protects the skin and which, when produced in excessive quantities, clogs pores and promotes inflammation. Although the disease can be severe and require medical treatment, in the vast majority of cases it remains mild or moderate. In this case, careful hygiene and natural solutions may be enough to improve the condition of your skin.

Answer to the question of nutrition

A good plate

Diet directly affects our skin. In the case of acne, it is better to limit fatty foods such as sausage or cheese, and to prefer fruits and vegetables, as well as foods rich in beta-carotene (broccoli, spinach, carrots, dried apricots, sweet potatoes), essential fatty acids (olive, rapeseed, grape oil, etc.), and especially zinc, an essential trace element for skin regeneration (seafood, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, whole rice).

Probiotics to the rescue

“Depending on the type of acne, we can achieve up to… 80% cure rates!” explains pharmacist Danielle Festi (1), recalling that it is this percentage, obtained from a scientific study, that led Germany to recommend the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii as an additional treatment for acne. Several studies show that skin problems always go hand in hand with an imbalance in the digestive flora. Hence her advice to take one capsule of UltraFlora® Premium (Bionutrics), Lactibiane® Reference (Pilèje) or Flore Vital® (Vit’All+) in the morning on an empty stomach.

Answer to a homeopathic question

Basic treatment

Acne and blackheads can be treated  with homeopathy  . Dr. Dominique-Jean Sayus, a homeopathic doctor (2), recommends taking 5 granules of each of these three homeopathic remedies three times a day until symptoms improve: Kalium Bromatum 5CH, Eugenia Jambosa 4CH, and Thuya 5CH.

In each individual case

To this basic, or “first-line” treatment, which can be applied to everyone, he advises adding a specific treatment, taking one dose once a week, depending on the patient’s condition: Natrum Muriaticum 15CH, for example, for reserved and hyperemotional adolescents with oily skin and hair, or if acne affects the scalp; Sepia 9CH for women in a gloomy mood with acne, often located around the mouth and aggravated before menstruation; or, again, Silicea 9CH in cases of cystic acne (with or without suppuration).

Answer to the question of phytotherapy

In herbal teas or capsules

Two plants are traditionally used to combat acne:  burdock  , or rather its root, and pansy. They have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help eliminate toxins that often cause acne and excess sebum. These two plants, available in pharmacies in capsule form, can also be consumed in the form of infusions, decoctions or standardized liquid plant extracts (such as Arkofluides organic ampoules with burdock and pansy). Be careful, acne may worsen at the beginning of treatment.

Soothing and healing gel

Another plant for the skin is aloe vera. This gel, very rich in nutrients (vitamins, minerals and amino acids), has strong moisturizing and nourishing properties. It not only relieves skin diseases, but also helps to heal the epidermis. You can use it directly on the skin as a daily remedy, alone or in combination with tea tree essential oil (bactericidal).

(1) author of the book “The Big Guide to Food Additives”, Editions Leduc

(2) author of the book “Homeopathy”, Airols, 10 euros

Grandma’s recipe

•  With lemon juice

Squeeze the juice of a lemon (preferably green and organic), dilute it in a glass of water. Soak a cotton pad or makeup remover in it. Apply directly to small pimples (avoid large ones that have already burst). Leave it for a few minutes or even overnight before rinsing with warm water. The acidity of the lemon disinfects and dries them out.

•  With green clay

Pour water (or better yet, distilled chamomile water) into a bowl. Add the green clay powder and mix until you get a soft paste. Apply this mask in a thick layer on your face 1-2 times a week. This will allow you to deeply cleanse your skin and prevent acne.

Proper self-massage

(Note: For acne problems only)

Using your index and middle fingers, gently press in a circular motion on the 4 acupuncture points: stomach (two points on each side of the nose, on the cheeks, at the level of the nostrils and perpendicular to the iris), urinary bladder (one point behind the right knee, at the level of the crease), digestive system (one point three fingers below the crease of the right knee, on the front of the leg), and gallbladder (two points on each side of the neck, in the hollow under the occipital muscle). Do this for 1 minute on each point.

Proper treatment

•  For dermatoses  (eczema, psoriasis, mild or severe chronic acne, etc.): the Grands Thermes de La Bourboule uses specific treatments such as external, general or local spraying, or a filiform shower with very fine jets, allowing the removal of lesions or a deep massage of the dermis, carried out daily by the spa doctor.

We like:  Massage performed by a physiotherapist, ideal for reducing scars or the effects of burns, new for 2015.

From 199 euros, excluding accommodation, for 6 days, without medical insurance. 

•  For psoriasis  : Climb just 600m above sea level to reach the spa resort of Molijs-les-Bains and enjoy dermatological spa treatments that combine external spraying and vaporarium/chromotherapy sessions in rooms renovated this year, as well as moisturizing treatments with the application of an emollient cream to relax the skin. We will be closely following the Psothermes study launched this year to assess the long-term benefits of thermalism on psoriasis.

We like:  Sophrology sessions, especially interesting for people with psoriasis, where the psychological dimension plays an important role in the disease.

From €609, half board, 7 nights during 6 days of treatment.