Since the skin is the largest organ on the body and it supports other internal organs with eliminating waste, one of the best natural acne treatments is a healthy and nutritious diet. If you are unhealthy inside it will be reflected in your skin. The old adage, “you are what you eat", is absolutely true.

Acne occurs when the natural oils that the skin creates clog the pores of the skin. Normally acne is most common when puberty starts and continues into the teenage years when the body is at its busiest producing hormones. It can also afflict adults, especially women, generally caused by hormonal changes and stress. Since acne is a problem for people world wide, there are many forms of acne treatments and acne products on the market.

I had severe acne when I was a teenager. I tried everything. None of the over-the-counter acne products worked. In desperation, I changed my diet of junk food and sodas to a healthy and nutritious way of eating and drank lots of water. I never would have thought that changing my diet would help my acne, but it did. My breakouts occurred much less and were less severe. It was the best and only treatment that ever worked for me.

The best anti-acne diet starts with lots and lots of water. Water is very effective at eliminating toxins from the body and delivering essential nutrients. Water alone does not remove acne but when large quantities are taken internally on a daily basis, it greatly aids the skin in healing itself and remaining healthy.

The diet should be based on whole, unprocessed foods. Try to eat at least five servings of vegetables per day and at least one serving of fruit or fruit juice, preferably unsweetened or naturally sweetened.

(Hint: To make vegetables more palatable but still healthy, season them with spices and/or lemon juice. Never use butter, sour cream, or large amounts of salt.)

Red meat, refined sugar, white flour, strong coffee, candy and ice cream should be avoided. Fried foods and high trans-fat products like milk, cheese, margarine, and shortening should be eliminated.

Some people find that chocolate, carbonated beverages, iodized salt, shellfish, wheat and/or milk products can aggravate acne.

If changing your diet does not effectively help your acne, seek the assistance of a dermatologist. He/she can offer additional options for treating your acne.