I’m back with a part 2 to what I’ve learned after 16 years of acne. I hope these bits of information have been offering you new insights while you’re on your journey of healing.

What I’ve learned

Don’t forget the kidneys

Throughout my journey, I have heard countless times how the liver needs to be detoxed. If your other detoxing systems are not functioning 100% (constipation, dehydration,etc), then it doesn’t matter how much liver detoxing you do there will still be a build up in your system. 

How to: properly hydrate, herbs like nettle & horsetail, acupuncture, high minerals

Nervous System

Chronic fight or flight can cause system stress in the body which leads to break down in many functions. This long term stress can cause decreased progesterone production, insulin resistance, and so on. I know how hard it can be to repair the nervous system because it is connected to relationships, trauma, lifestyle, etc. This is when using our herbal allies & increasing minerals can support your body while you work on healing. 

How to: incorporate nervine or adaptogen herbs like schisandra, lemon balm, tulsi, passionflower, increase your mineral intake, eat every 3-4 hours so body feels safe, work on muscle tension release 

Stomach Acid

Research done a 100 yrs ago showed that 43% of people with acne have low stomach acid & they’ve never been able to disprove this study. Low stomach acid is often associated with acne on the cheeks, especially the upper cheek area. Low acid can lead to leaky gut, nutrient deficiencies, heartburn, abdominal pain, etc.

Stress is a major contributor to acid issues so reducing your stress at meal times is essential.

How to: slowly chew food, manuka honey, digestive enzymes, digestive bitters, apple cider vinegar, activate vagus nerve before eating

Endless Detoxing

One of the main topics of your hear about acne & other skin conditions is detoxing. Unfortunately, I have contributed to this rhetoric in the past. Detoxing can be highly beneficial for the body, but I do not support the endless detoxing trains. 

My main question here is why do you have to be constantly detoxing to feel good? Maybe you need to be nourishing your body instead of detoxing. In TCM, detoxing can lead to imbalances & depletion of the organs. Detoxing is not bad, but you need to be properly nourishing your body and making sure your other detox pathways (kidney, lymph colon) are functioning properly. 

Your Skin Doesn’t Define You

Through the 16 years I’ve had acne, there have been numerous encounters with complete strangers, friends/family, and doctors who have made me feel horrible about my skin. 

Acne doesn’t make you any less worthy, beautiful, clean, or whatever else people want to tell you. I met my husband when my skin was at its worst, but he thought I was beautiful regardless. He swears he doesn’t remember by skin looking how it did which just proves how people notice less than you realize. 

Just know that you are amazing and beautiful with or without acne.

Emily