A reader recently asked me about natural acne treatments. For a lot of my clients that own professional cosmetics brands, I incorporate tea tree oil. It is botanical, antifungal, and very affective on blemishes. Camphor also is natural, and excellent for blemish and oil control. Citrus juices and oils, which are acidic, neutralize oils exuded by the skin, which are alkaline. Sulfur has an excellent affect on acneic skin, however, I would recommend against a non-chemist handling raw sulfur. I will make up a recipe for a blemish control mask and post it here. Meanwhile, I suggest trying P.S., Purify Solutions is a new line for this spa, their proprietary line, so if the products are not yet on their website, you can call them toll free at 888.Spa.Boulder. This gentle acne and blemish control cosmetics line utilizes salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and natural extracts. Salicylic acid can be naturally derived from wintergreen leaves and sweet birch bark. The Purify Solutions blemish control skin care line is more effective and certainly less harsh on the skin than brands such as Pro Active (which work, but wreak havoc on the skin) and drug store or dermatologists brands which utilize benzyl peroxide.

As far as diet; avoid fried foods, sugar-loaded drinks and sweets, and fast food of any type. These are staples for many a teenager’s diet, granted, but if they stay clear of these three acne promoters, and keep the skin surface germ-free using products such as the ones I recommended above, they will be amazed at how quickly their acne will come under control.

A final note about tea tree oil – You should be able to buy pure tea tree oil, very inexpensively, at your local drug store. Apart from its affect on acne, it is a fantastic, natural treatment for topical skin burns and nail fungus.