Holistic dermatology? Discover these 8 natural solutions to acne, wrinkles and more

Friday, March 18, 2016 by: Sarah Landers
Tags: holistic dermatology, skin health, sun burn

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(NaturalNews) There a many, many benefits to using nature as your dermatologist. As explained in a post at Love-Yourself-Naturally.com, the chemicals found in mass-produced skincare products can actually exacerbate, if not cause, skin problems. Your skin is very sensitive and can suffer adverse reactions to many chemicals. If a product's ingredients list is long and full of words that you can't pronounce – it's probably not good for your skin.

More and more, people are turning to holistic treatments to maintain their health – for example, using honey as a natural antibiotic or drinking chamomile tea to reduce anxiety. Now, it seems that nature may hold the answer to your common skin complaints.

Easing sunburned skin

You probably already know that the best way to prevent sunburn is to avoid excess exposure to the sun's rays, staying hydrated and consuming a diverse diet full of health-promoting nutrients. But there are other ways that you can help protect your skin from damage – such as astaxanthin, an algae-based antioxidant that combats sun spots, sunburn and wrinkles.

In fact, there are several antioxidants that can help you prevent skin damage from sunburn, including beta-carotene, which is found in carrots among other fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene protects the body from free radicals and can also make you less sensitive to the sun. Try adding more carrots and red peppers to your diet before hitting the beach, as suggested by LittleThings.com.

However, should sunburn happen, you should ditch the expensive "after sun" creams in favor of some Aloe vera or an ice-cold glass of milk. It might sound strange, but try soaking a cloth in milk and then pop it in the freezer for a few minutes before applying to the affected area. This will ease the burn and might improve the redness.

Itchy skin

Those who suffer with itchy skin conditions may find that chamomile can ease blotchy red areas by reducing inflammation and swelling. You can achieve this by using tea bags soaked in cold water. According to TheHealthSite.com, you can also try applying oils to the affected area, such as coconut or lemon, which can reduce irritation and inflammation.

Blackheads, spots and acne

These are a common problem for almost everyone and are caused by the buildup of oil and dirt in pores. They can be gradually removed from your skin by dissolving Epsom salt in boiling water and applying it to your skin after allowing it to cool.

If you suffer from acne, then the above method probably won't make a huge difference, but there are other natural remedies you can try. EverydayRoots.com suggests applying apple cider vinegar to your skin, which will kill the bacteria and balance your skin's pH, improving your acne over time.

Dark circles

If you're looking a little tired and have those tell-tale dark circles under your eyes, try applying raw slices of potato, which contains enzymes that will lighten the circles. If this doesn't work, Top10HomeRemedies.com also suggests massaging with coconut oil to moisturize the areas and smooth your skin.

Wrinkles

Aloe vera is useful for many skin conditions and is something you should keep around the house, both as a cream and as a drink or capsule. By taking Aloe vera gel as a tablet or drinking it every day, you will improve your skin's elasticity over time, which improves and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Scars

The appearance of scars can be greatly improved with the application of rosehip oil, which contains vitamins and fatty acids that the skin needs – in particular vitamin C, which plays an important part in your skin's healing process.

Dry skin

Keeping your skin hydrated is vital, and according to Reader's Digest, there is a simple moisturizer you can make at home that will reduce dryness and keep your skin looking young and healthy. Mix three tablespoons of fresh cream with some avocado and honey before applying it to your skin for an hour.

Improving your skin tone

Everyone's tone is different, but if you suffer from uneven tones, try applying some crushed basil-infused water as a toner.

These simple home remedies are a great way to save money on beauty products – and avoid toxic chemicals that are common in the overpriced products you can buy at the drugstore.

Sources include:

RD.com

Top10HomeRemedies.com

EverydayRoots.com

TheHealthSite.com

Medicine.news

Top10GrocerySecrets.com

LittleThings.com

Love-Yourself-Naturally.com

Science.NaturalNews.com