How to manage common non-cystic acne
Non-cystic acne is the scourge of teenagers and usually disappears once those difficult years are over, but for some it continues on and off all their life. From the Ayurvedic perspective, minor acne can involve all three doshas (mind/body principles), but Pitta dosha and rakta dhatu (blood) are predominantly involved.
To learn how to help acne, one must first identify the dosha most involved. Pitta acne, the most common, is all about redness and excess heat, while Vata involves more dryness and Kapha more oiliness. Depending on your (or your teen’s) dominant dosha, we have three different programs to choose from. Each one includes a detox, diet and herbal recommendations, a facial mask, and tea.
Pitta acne program
15-Day deep detox program
- Taking 2 capsules of Herbal Cleanse before going to bed each night will cleanse the bowel.
- Taking 2 tablets of Elim-Tox-O morning and evening will cleanse the liver, blood, sweat glands and the elimination system.
- Taking 2 tablets of Organic Genitrac morning and evening will purify the urinary tract and assist the removal of toxins.
Pitta detox follow-up
Once you finish the 15-day detox, now is the time to start taking two Radiant Skin tablets AM and PM on an empty stomach with warm water. If the skin still has some irritation or redness after finishing the detox, you may add an extra two tablets of Radiant Skin at bedtime. Also continue two tablets of Organic Digest Tone (Triphala Plus) at bedtime.
About our Radiant Skin formula
Radiant Skin is an herbal formula that purifies and strengthens the liver, cleanses the blood tissue of toxins, reduces excessive heat and oiliness, and enhances digestion. Its beneficial effects can have a dramatic effect in fighting acne, redness and other skin sensitivities, leaving your skin radiant and blemish-free. Sandalwood helps balance Pitta in the skin (sensitivity) and promotes healthy skin. Neem is a traditional detoxifier, which helps cleanse the body of toxins.
Other helpful herbals for Pitta
Acne can often be aggravated by emotional stress. If that is the case, it would help to add Stress Free Emotions to the daily regimen. To help pacify Pitta emotions, try aroma oils containing rose oil or sandalwood oil such as Blissful Heart or Cooling Pitta Aroma.
Pitta diet tips
It’s best to avoid food that aggravates Pitta, such as hot spicy foods or fermented foods like yeast, vinegar, pickles, soy sauce, yogurt, tomato sauce and alcohol.
Other foods to avoid include tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and seafood. Also try to avoid mixing incompatible foods such as milk with sour fruits or melons; equal amounts of honey and ghee; and milk or yogurt with any sour foods.
Favor sweet juicy fruits, green leafy veggies, and squashes. Have ½ cup of aloe vera juice after meals with ½ tsp. of turmeric powder added.
Pitta face mask
Mix:
- 1 tsp. of colloidal oatmeal powder
- 1 tsp. of ground red lentil powder
- 1 tsp. of bentonite clay
- ½ tsp. of marshmallow root powder
- ¼ tsp. Turmeric, a pinch of rose petal powder with some Organic Rose Water and whole milk until you have a smooth paste
- Apply to skin; leave for 5 minutes; wash with cool water.
- Spray skin during the day with Organic Rose Water.
- Lightly dab a little Youthful Skin Cream to moisturize.
Pitta tea
Boil 3 cups of water with:
- Let sit 5 to 10 minutes
- Strain into a thermos and sip all day.
Vata-Pitta acne program
To get rid of acne that is both Vata and Pitta, you will have the redness but more dryness. Follow the Vata diet with Pitta restrictions. It’s best to have less cold food and drinks, or dry and rough food.
15-Day deep detox program
- Taking 2 capsules of Herbal Cleanse before going to bed each night will cleanse the bowel.
- Taking 2 tablets of Elim-Tox-O morning and evening will cleanse the liver, blood, sweat glands and the elimination system.
- Taking 2 tablets of Organic Genitrac morning and evening will purify the urinary tract and assist the removal of toxins.
Vata-Pitta detox follow-up
Once you finish the 15-day detox, now is the time to start taking two Radiant Skin tablets AM and PM on an empty stomach with warm water. If the skin still has some irritation or occasional redness after finishing the detox, you may add an extra two tablets of Radiant Skin at bedtime. Also continue two tablets of Organic Digest Tone (Triphala Plus) at bedtime.
Other helpful herbals for Pitta
Acne can often be aggravated by emotional stress. If that is the case, it would help to add Stress Free Emotions to the daily regimen. To help pacify Pitta emotions, try aroma oils containing rose oil or sandalwood oil such as Blissful Heart or Cooling Pitta aroma.
Diet tips
It’s best to avoid foods that aggravate Pitta, such as hot spicy foods or fermented foods like yeast, vinegar, pickles, soy sauce, yogurt, tomato sauce and alcohol. Other foods to avoid include tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and seafood.
Also try to avoid mixing incompatible foods such as milk with sour fruits or melons; equal amounts of honey and ghee; and milk or yogurt with any sour foods. Favor sweet juicy fruits, green leafy veggies, and squashes.
Vata-Pitta face mask
Mix:
- 1½ tsp. of colloidal oatmeal powder
- 1 tsp. of ground red lentil powder
- 1 tsp. of bentonite clay
- ½ tsp. of marshmallow root powder
- ¼ tsp. Turmeric, a pinch of rose petal powder with some Organic Rose Water and whole milk until you have a smooth paste
- Apply to skin; leave for 5 minutes; wash with cool water.
- Spray skin during the day with Organic Rose Water.
Tea
Boil 3 cups of water with:
- 1 tsp. of fennel seeds
- 1 tsp. of Indian sarsaparilla
- ½ tsp. coriander seeds
- ½ tsp. of cumin seeds and a pinch of manjistha
- Let sit 5 to 10 minutes
- Strain into a thermos and sip all day.
For Kapha-Pitta acne, you will have the redness but with more oiliness. Follow a Kapha diet with Pitta restrictions.
15-Day deep detox program
- Taking 2 capsules of Herbal Cleanse before going to bed each night will cleanse the bowel.
- Taking 2 tablets of Elim-Tox morning and evening will cleanse the liver, blood, sweat glands and the elimination system.
- Taking 2 tablets of Organic Genitrac morning and evening will purify the urinary tract and assist the removal of toxins.
Once you finish the 15-day detox, now is the time to start taking two Radiant Skin tablets AM and PM on an empty stomach with warm water. If the skin still has some irritation or occasional redness after finishing the detox, you may add an extra two tablets of Radiant Skin at bedtime. Also include two tablets of Organic Digest Tone (Triphala Plus) at bedtime.
Radiant Skin is an herbal formula that purifies and strengthens the liver, cleanses the blood tissue of toxins, reduces excessive heat and oiliness, and enhances digestion. Its beneficial effects can have a dramatic effect in fighting acne, redness and other skin sensitivities, leaving your skin radiant and healthy. Sandalwood helps balance Pitta in the skin (sensitivity) and helps promote healthy skin. Neem is a traditional detoxifier, which helps cleanse the body of toxins.
Acne can often be aggravated by emotional stress. If that is the case, it would help to add Stress Free Emotions to the daily regimen. To help pacify Pitta emotions, try aroma oils containing rose oil or sandalwood oil such as Blissful Heart or Cooling Pitta Aroma.
Diet tips
It’s best to avoid foods that aggravate Pitta, such as hot spicy foods or fermented foods like yeast, vinegar, pickles, soy sauce, yogurt, tomato sauce and alcohol.
Other foods to avoid include tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and seafood. Also try to avoid mixing incompatible foods such as milk with sour fruits or melons; equal amounts of honey and ghee; and milk or yogurt with any sour foods.
Kapha-Pitta face mask
- Mix 1 tsp. of colloidal oatmeal powder
- 1 tsp. of ground red lentil powder
- 1½ tsp. of bentonite clay
- ½ tsp. of marshmallow root powder, ¼ tsp. Turmeric
- A pinch of rose petal powder with some Organic Rose Water and whole milk until you have a smooth paste
- Apply to skin; leave for 5 minutes; wash with cool water.
- Spray skin during the day with Organic Rose Water.
- It’s best to avoid the moisturizer if you have really oily skin.
Tea
Boil 3 cups of water with:
- 1 tsp. of fennel seeds
- 1 tsp. of Indian sarsaparilla
- ½ tsp. coriander seeds
- 1 tsp. of cumin seeds
- A pinch of manjistha
Let sit 5 to 10 minutes, then strain into a thermos and sip all day.
Testimonials
"While I enjoy trying different all-natural and organic skin care products, I always include Radiant Skin in my skin care routine. It's the only product that over the years has helped keep my skin consistently clear, healthy and radiant from the inside out. I've even had people ask what I use!" – JM
Read our Ayurvedic Guide to Beautiful Skin at Any Age.
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