-- hormone imbalance during the teen years

-- hormone changes during pregnancy, menstrual cycle and menopause

-- heredity

-- some drugs, including androgens, lithium, and barbiturates, are known to cause acne

-- using greasy cosmetics that can alter the follicle cells so that they stick together

-- high humidity

-- stress

There are several natural things that you can do to help your skin heal:

First would be to get rid of cosmetics that are greasy and filled with chemicals you can't pronounce. There are lots of natural cosmetics and skin care products that are good for the skin and do not promote acne.

Give your body a break and eat a healthy diet and avoid processed and deep fried foods as well as soft drinks and other sugary foods. Be sure to eat lots of vegetables.

Get rid of as many toxins as you can. They come in the form of detergents, air fresheners, perfumes, fabric softeners, soaps, deodorants, house cleaning products, etc. Use natural alternatives to these and help your body stay healthy.

To help you heal your acne, here are some natural skin care remedies you can try:

Baking Soda Paste -- Put some baking soda in water to form a paste. Dab the paste on your skin gently and then rinse. This paste will exfoliate the skin and unclog your pores.

Apple Cider Vinegar -- Vinegar is known to kill bacteria which can cause acne. It is also great for balancing your skin's pH and will help eliminate excess oil from the skin. Put one teaspoon of vinegar in 1/4 cup of water, or even stronger if you want. Put the vinegar on your skin and leave for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse.

Tea Tree Oil -- Tea tree oil is well know as an antiseptic. Apply it directly on each pimple. Tea tree oil comes in a gel which can make it easier to apply over larger areas of the skin. It is not quite as strong as the oil, however, so may not be as effective.

Aloe Vera -- Put aloe vera gel directly on the skin and leave on. It is helpful in preventing scaring and helps the skin heal more quickly.

Colloidal Silver -- A natural antibiotic is colloidal silver. You can buy it as a spray and just spray it directly onto your skin.

Grapefruit Seed Extract -- GSE is a powerful disinfectant and antimicrobial. You can buy it in liquid form. Put 10 to 20 drops in two ounces of water and apply to affected areas.

When applying these remedies use a soft cloth, either flannel or cotton, or use cotton balls. Do not apply by rubbing them on but dab on gently.