What Are Your Breakouts Telling You? Share on Social Media

In a world of allergies, sensitivities, and ingredients that we cannot pronounce, your breakouts could be caused by more than just surface bacteria.  As more and more foods are processed with unnecessary additives, we are harming our bodies from the inside out. My mother and I have hippie hearts, and we are constantly searching for natural remedies for our ailments and their underlying causes. Although I'm no doctor, I am going to decode the five most common breakout areas and give you natural remedies to heal your body from the inside out.

1. Small Intestine

If you are breaking out in the upper center of your forehead, this is an indication of an irritation of the small intestine. One of the major underlying causes to this is Celiac's disease, or a gluten sensitivity/allergy. An allergy to gluten, a protein in most breads, causes irritation to the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. A quick fix? Switch to gluten-free carbs. With an emergence of gluten sensitivity, most supermarkets now carry gluten-free bread and pasta alternatives made with corn flour, rice flour, and quinoa.

2. Bladder

Bladder infections and UTIs can cause breakouts on the forehead above the eyebrows. Cranberry juice is excellent for flushing the body, as WebMD explains that it prevents bacteria from sticking to cell walls of the urinary tract. Be sure not to drink cranberry juice cocktail, which is pumped full of excess sugars. One hundred percent cranberry juice is the most effective way to flush your system of toxins. If you find that the real deal is too strong, dilute it with water until it becomes palatable.

3. Liver

Breaking out between your eyes can be an indicator of liver irritation or complications. Your liver filters all toxins that go into your body, and as a result can become sluggish when it takes on an overload of processed foods, alcohols, or whatever else you may ingest or come into contact with.

This may sound a little crazy, but an apple fast can actually help cleanse your liver and leave you with an overall more energized disposition. The concept is simple, but the self-restraint is more of a challenge. Eating nothing but apples and unsweetened apple sauce while drinking a gallon of water a day is not for beginners! If you are looking for an easier fix, do a two-day fast eating only organic foods rich in Vitamin C and/or iron. These include spinach, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, citrus fruits, apples, and beets.

4. Lungs

If you break out on your cheeks, go outside and get fresh air! Breakouts in this area are most often caused by spending too much time in polluted air, can indicate respiratory infections and irritations. If you are not in the position to go for a relaxing walk in the countryside, invest in an air purifier. Another irritant that may cause your lung function to be sub-par? Carbohydrates. According to the American Lung Association, carbohydrates produce the most carbon dioxide upon use as opposed to healthy fats. While cutting out carbs is hard, your body will thank you for choosing foods rich in healthy fats, such as nuts and avocado.

5. Hormones

Whether we want to admit it or not, when we break out along our chin it is not only caused by our monthly cycle or stress. Meats and produce that are not certified organic are pumped full of hormones and pesticides that can interfere with our natural chemistry. I know it may seem like an inconvenience to eat organic, but your body will thank you in the long run. Whether you shop at Whole Foods, Kroger (which has their own affordable brand of organics), or foods from your local Farmer's Market, making the switch to foods that are clean and natural will change your overall wellness and disposition. Your thoughts will be clearer, your skin will be clearer, and your energy level will be higher and more easily sustained. I made the switch to organics six months ago, and in combination with limiting my junk food intake, I've lost twenty pounds, my cholesterol has dropped 75 points, and, overall, I just feel better.

I hope you girls find this helpful, as I am opening my hippie heart to yours for the better of pageant-girl-kind. Just like a good personality radiates from the inside out, a healthy body is evident from the inside out. Take time to take care of yourself, from proper nutrition to hydration and exercise. Not only will your body function better, but you will notice a difference in your skin within the first week! Don't fight fire with fire, or foreign antibodies with synthetic chemicals found in most OTC and prescription remedies.

You've only got one body, take care of it the natural way.