7 Proven Ways That Will Help You Get Rid of Acne Forever

7 Proven Ways That Will Help You Get Rid of Acne Forever

Your face is usually the first thing most people notice about you, and this can result in them having bad perceptions of you when the first thing they see is a face full of acne. Acne can negatively affect one’s chances of employment, especially for jobs where physical appearance is considered important. Asides from these, the general quality of life is usually affected as well.

Acne vulgaris, commonly called acne, is a chronic skin condition that occurs when sebum, a thick oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin and dead skin cells accumulate and clog hair follicles. The block inflow of this oily secretion will provide a good breeding place for some bacteria, eventually causing some of the features of acne (redness, pain).

There are several possible causes of acne. This includes Smoking, diets with high-glycemic-load such as white bread, cakes, doughnuts, and candies; hormones, and heredity. While there are several studies done and ongoing on the above causes, hormones and heredity are considered to be the major causes of acne.

 A lot of times, acne is wrongly called pimples, but pimples are just one of the features of acne — others are whiteheads, blackheads, and oily skin.

Since it is formed by the accumulation of secretions of oily glands, it most commonly affects the skin in parts of the body with high numbers of oil glands. This includes the back, face, and chest.

Generally, acne in itself does not have any significant effect on your health but in many people, it can lead to reduced self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts in some cases. So, if this is your concern, or all you want to do is to get a spotless and smooth face, you are at the right place. Now, let’s dive right into it.

How to Get Rid of Acne on the Face

If you have acne, it is very likely that you will be getting a lot of treatment suggestions from people you come across. In fact, this is usually the next thing said to you after greetings. Well, our aim in this article is to provide you with tested practical ways how to get rid of acne on the face. And the good news is that most of the things we mentioned here are easily accessible to you.

READ ALSO: 15 Foods That Will Boost Your Immune System

1. Stop Popping Pimples

As simple as it sounds, this can go a long way in ensuring you get faster treatment for acne. It is always tempting to squeeze or pop the pimples on your face whenever you look into the mirror but don’t. While your dermatologist can safely do this for you, doing it yourself would likely result in redder and bumpier pimples. The chances of infection should not be taken lightly as well.

2. Toothpaste Can Treat Your Acne Too

Toothpaste has been used for some time to treat acne. Rubbing some amount of it on your pimples and allowing it to stay overnight can help to clear them, especially when continued for some days. Nevertheless, it is not recommended to use toothpaste that contains gels for this purpose.

3. Apply Tea Tree Oil on the Spots

Tea tree oil has been reported to be effective in fighting bacteria on the skin as well as reducing skin inflammation. If you have used some pharmaceutical creams and suffered from their unwanted side effects of irritation and dry skin, you should probably try tea tree oil.

To use tea tree oil, mix it with water, and use a cotton ball or swab to apply it on the affected spots. Repeat as necessary.

4. Apply Green Tea to Your Face

Apparently, the green tea you take in the morning before you begin the day’s work or later in the day after a hard day’s work has other uses apart from relieving you of stress. Green tea is rich in antioxidants as well as other ingredients that help fight bacteria.

Applying green tea extract, or skincare products containing it on your skin will help to reduce inflammation and inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause or worsen your acne. Additionally, drinking green tea is said to be important in reducing sebum production and general body fat.

5. Use Aloe Vera to Moisturize Your Face

Aloe vera is a plant that grows in tropical parts of the world e.g Africa. A clear gel is produced from the leaves of the plant which is used as an important ingredient in many skincare products. This includes body ointments, creams, lotions, and soaps.

Aloe vera comes in handy to treat your acne because it contains sulphur and salicylic acid. Both are important ingredients in many over-the-counter lotions and creams used to treat acne.

When you apply it to your skin, it will encourage wound healing, treat rashes, abrasions, burns, redness, itching, and pain. Interestingly, it is also used to treat stomach aches.

For best results, you should combine it with tea tree oil.

Using it is easy, just take some leaves from the plant and scrape the gel out into a clean container. Use it as a moisturiser once or twice daily. You can also buy pure aloe vera gel from a pharmacy or beauty products store.

6. Take Fish Oil Supplement

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which have several health benefits, including acne treatment. It might not be very effective when used alone, but people who have used it have attested to its effectiveness in reducing inflammatory symptoms of acne such as redness and pain as well as general risk for developing acne.

The omega-3 fatty acids mentioned above can be obtained from a balanced diet containing foods like sardines, salmon, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts, nevertheless, supplements are available in pharmacies for those whose diet is poor in fatty acids.

7. Exercise Regularly

The benefits of exercise are diverse. This includes the prevention and treatment of a lot of diseases. Since exercise improves blood circulation and hormonal regulation, frequenting it also helps to treat acne by providing adequate nourishment for the skin cells.

In addition, exercise helps to relieve stress, which is suspected to be among the causes of acne. Research is still ongoing to find out how exactly stress causes acne and how exercise helps in treatment.

There are several options available; you can start with light exercises like walking, and then eventually move to other ones if you are considered fit.

How to Prevent Pimples

Knowing how to get rid of acne on the face is not as important as knowing how to prevent it from occurring or reoccurring after treatment. Good thing is that you won’t have to spend a dime to do most of them.

  1. Keep your face clean but avoid harsh scrubbing, as this can cause and worsen acne.
  2. Avoid or reduce intake of foods linked with acne such as high-glycemic foods like whitebread and donuts
  3. Wear sunscreen when going outdoors
  4. Apply topical treatments for mild skin conditions before they get severe
  5. Be mindful of the skincare products you use. Always consult with a dermatologist or a skin care expert before you buy new products.
  6. Reduce stress
  7. Exercise regularly
  8. Maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight is sometimes linked to acne.
  9. Avoid excessive skin exfoliation
  10. Discuss with a dermatologist on other preventive measures you should take especially if you are at risk of developing acne.

Conclusion

Acne has a variety of causes and thus the treatments might differ accordingly too. The methods of how to get rid of acne on the face mentioned in this article, in no way represent an exhaustive list, there is several other methods available and ongoing research on them.

Have you tried any of the methods above or other ones not mentioned in this article, we would love to hear about your experience. Thanks for reading through.

FAQs

How can I clear up acne fast?

You can use over-the-counter treatments containing salicylate and benzoyl peroxide.

How can I clear my acne naturally?

There are several options available; this includes spot-treating with tea tree oil, aloe vera, and adopting a good diet control habit.

What causes acne on the face?

Acne is linked to several causes. Two of the most important are genetics and hormonal imbalance. Others are personal hygiene, poor skin care, and diet.

What kills acne on the face?

To kill acne on the face, you can apply some gel-free toothpaste, or paste of crushed aspirin and allow it overnight. You can also use the several natural methods available.

Should I see a doctor for acne treatment?

You can easily treat mild to moderate acne with natural home remedies or over-the-counter drugs. However, a dermatologist is in the best position to evaluate and treat you, especially in recurring or severe cases.

Two of my older siblings currently have acne on their faces; my mum said she suffered from it as a teenager, does it mean acne can be inherited?

Yes. According to a study, acne is highly heritable, so if you are not affected by it, at the moment, it is very important for you to observe the preventive measures mentioned in this article

Can I buy over-the-counter drugs for my acne?

There are several over-the-counter ointments, gels, and lotions available for acne treatment. Some are highly affected but might be associated with unwanted effects such as irritation, redness, and dryness. To avoid or at least, minimise this, meet a dermatologist to recommend the most suitable one(s) for you.

21 Foods that Increase Breast Milk Supply

21 Foods that Increase Breast Milk Supply

If you are looking for foods that increase breast milk supply, it means you are worried that you are not producing enough. You are most likely worried that your baby is not getting enough milk he deserves. Or you are worried that you are not well nourished for your body to produce enough breast milk. 

You are worried and stressed out trying to understand what to eat and what not to eat to increase the milk supply. Mothers want to know they are doing their best for the health of their babies. Certain foods are known to induce lactation and they are called Galactagogues. Below are some of the foods we found useful for you:

Foods that Increase Breast Milk Supply

1. Fenugreek

It is a natural herb that can be used to increase lactation. Fenugreek is known to be an excellent galactagogue for women trying to increase their milk supply.  They also have phytoestrogens that are essential in boosting lactation.

To benefit from this herb, drink it before sleeping and it will not only increase your milk supply but also the quality of your milk.

Fenugreek

2. Garlic

Apart from being nutritious and a healthy spice we add to our meals, it is also a galactagogue that helps women boost their milk supply. It has been used as a natural lactation aid and for other health benefits.

Furthermore, garlic may alter the taste of milk which may trigger colic in babies. You should try to notice if your baby reacts after you consume garlic. You will know if your baby is allergic or not by doing so.

Garlic

3. Papaya

Papaya contains lactogenic effects and its leaves can increase breast milk supply. It is a fruit that can be eaten as it is, added to foods when cooking or in soups. The fruit contains phytochemicals and enzymes responsible for breast milk supply. It can improve digestion, enrich you and your baby with vitamins and minerals.

4. Carrots

Carrot is a rich vegetable that provides nutrients. It increases breast milk due to the presence of phytoestrogens that have lactogenic effects in carrots. Carrots are also rich in Vitamin A and potassium, they help to improve the quality of the milk you produce. It can also help you to lose weight as well. You can eat carrots raw, in salads, juices, foods, dessert as it is a delicious orange rich vegetable.

Carrots

5. Basil

Basil leaves have a soothing effect and are rich in antioxidants. It is common in some countries for using basil leaves to increase breast milk supply since it is a medical herb. In addition, it is added to tea for a calming effect. It is also added to foods when cooking to boost milk supply in nursing mothers.

Basil

6. Sesame Seeds (Egusi)

It is rich in calcium, protein, fibre, essential nutrients. Egusi has quercetin a phytochemical that increases prolactin secretion and breast milk supply. You can add it to your salad as toppings, in soups (like Egusi Soup), pasta to increase breast milk supply in lactating mothers.

Sesame Seeds

7. Sweet Potato

It is rich food that has fibre, micronutrients, and has phytochemicals that are responsible for promoting your health. This food is known as a superfood that increases prolactin and breast milk supply. In addition, sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, energy, vitamins, minerals that are required by your body.  It can be eaten boiled, fried, in porridge, and salads.

Sweet Potato

8. Milk

It is a nutritious liquid that has more water content, no fibre, fat, proteins, sugar, carbs, and calories. It is also a rich source of protein. Casein present in milk can lower blood pressure. And it also contains all the best foods that increase milk supply. Apart from quenching your thirst, it is highly nutritious and important to take more liquid like water and milk to increase your milk supply. Try to avoid liquids that will dehydrate you when nursing or eat as a snack.

MIlk

9. Moringa (Zogale)                                                                                                                    

Zogale is beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels, weight loss, improving digestion, improving the cardiovascular system, and much more. It is widely used in Africa and Asia. The plant is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, calcium, and iron and can help in increasing breast milk supply when used as a lactating diet. It can be eaten as salads, in soups, foods, and juices to increase breast milk supply.

Moringa

10. Tofu (Awara)

Awara is a delicious food that can be eaten fried with pepper or eaten after being boiled. It is widely available in Northern Nigeria sold by street vendors. It is made from soybeans and is rich in protein micronutrients. This snack contains phytoestrogen and it can increase breast milk supply. It can also be eaten in soups and salads too.

Tofu

11. Watermelon

Watermelon is a nutritious fruit that is high in water content. It contains potassium, vitamin C, A, B6, and gluthionine. It also contains fibre and fructose. The water content helps to keep your breast milk flowing when feeding your baby as it has a lactogenic effect. You can eat it as it is or in juices, smoothies, or deserts.

Watermelon

12. Lentils

They are rich in proteins, fibre, magnesium, and folate. It can boost your breast milk supply, lower your blood sugar level and digestion. You can add them to soups, stews, or snacks.

Lentils

13. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, vitamin B, folate and manganese, and magnesium. Taking green tea can help you, relax your body. When taken in moderation and also boost milk supply the caffeine content in green tea will not affect your baby. If you take too much instead of increasing your milk supply. It can reduce it so always drinks it a few hours after meals for the best effect.

Green Tea

14. Barley

It contains beta-glucan which is responsible for increasing prolactin levels in your body. It is also rich in fibre. The beta-glucan is the sole reason why this polysaccharide is considered as food that increases breast milk supply. You can add it to rice, salads, stews, and vegetable meals to boost your breast milk production.

Barley

15. Oats

This food is rich in iron fibre, magnesium, zinc and has a great nutritional profile. Women fall back to oatmeals to increase their milk supply. Since it is rich in iron and low mineral that helps in increasing their milk supply. It can relieve stress, improve digestion and relieve stress, improve digestion. As a nursing mother, you get the nutrients required in a short period of time since it takes little time to prepare. The way it increases breast milk supply is by increasing the oxytocin hormone levels in your body. You can eat it as a meal, in cakes, porridge, cookies or even on bread.

Oats

16. Fennel

It is a leafy vegetable that is a galactagogue and has estrogen that helps increase your breast milk supply. It has a lactogenic effect too and contains phytoestrogens. Fennel is a lactation cookie for most women. You can eat it raw or cooked since it is a vegetable. You can add it to soups, stews, cookies, or even teas.

Fennel

17. Almonds

Almonds are sweet, healthy, and packed with proteins and calcium. It is a good example of foods that increase breast milk supply because of its estrogenic activity. It also contains vitamins and minerals. Let us not forget, it is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Drinking almond milk increases the sweetness, creaminess, and quality of your breast milk as a nursing mother. Almonds can be eaten like nuts, in smoothies, juices, milk can be extracted from it, almond butter, and almond flour too. And it can also be added to food.

Almonds

18. Flaxseed

This also contains phytoestrogens which are needed in boosting breast milk supply. Flaxseed contains protein fibre and omega-3 fatty acids (especially flaxseed oil). Flaxseed also has a lot of benefits from reducing the risk of cancers, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, blood glucose control, and weight loss. You can take it roasted, in soups, stews, salad dressing, and in warm water.

Flaxseed

19. Water

​Water is life! Water is very essential to humans. More than half of your body and the earth you live in is water. Breast milk has more water content than nutrients. The best and easiest way to increase milk supply is by taking more water to keep you hydrated and replace lost fluids. Take more water for a steady milk supply.

Water

20. Salmon

This food is important during pregnancy and also during your lactation. Salmon is rich in protein, vitamins, and omega-3-fatty acids. It is low in mercury, boosts milk supply improves your immunity, and provides you with the required nutrients you and your baby need. You can eat it fried in soups, stew, and foods.

Salmon

21. Green Vegetables

These vegetables add colour to foods and are packed with nutrients mostly calcium. They are rich in phytoestrogens too, which is important in boosting breast milk supply. They also contain fibre and micronutrients. You can add them to your foods, stew, soups, or salads.

Green Vegetables

Conclusion

There are certain foods that increase breast milk supply and help your body boost milk production and constant flow of breast milk. They are rich in phytoestrogens, recognised as galactogogues, and are rich in essential nutrients.

What are the foods that boost your milk supply when you were nursing? Kindly leave your comments below to let us know what your go-to foods were.

15 Foods That Will Boost Your Immune System

15 Foods That Will Boost Your Immune System

The immune system of your body has its own defence mechanism in fighting diseases off. It is important to keep our immunity in check. There are foods that boost the immune system and these foods improve the immune function of your body. They help to fight in a certain way. These foods have vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients required for proper immune function. Here are 15 foods we found for you:

Foods That Boost Your Immune System

1. Citrus Fruits

People take vitamin C once they feel sick. The reason is that vitamin C is essential in boosting our immunity. This vitamin increases the white blood cells production in your body. And they are important in fighting infections in your body.

Citrus fruits have a high vitamin C content. You can get your vitamin C daily dose since they are juicy, delicious and available. You can make smoothies or take them as they are, sliced or in water.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. It is one of the healthiest foods you should consume cooked. This is a healthy addition when you are pregnant, and it can boost your memory.

It contains nutrients that boost the immune system and help you fight off infections.

3. Almonds

Almonds are tasty and they help you fight the flu. And also, boost your immunity. It has vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Also, almonds have healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins. You can snack with about half a cup of almonds to meet up your daily dose of vitamin E.

Almonds and eyes? Read this.

4. Turmeric

The important food spices every woman has in her kitchen cabinet. Used for making fried rice for its bright yellow color. Also, used by brides for glowing. It is a well-known spice for its anti-inflammatory function and other health benefits.

It treats osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and is recently believed to cure cancer. By boosting the immunity of your body because of the compound curcumin.

5. Papaya

Papaya is a fruit that has lots of vitamin C. You can get your daily recommended daily dose of vitamin C in a medium size. It has an enzyme Papain that has anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains potassium, magnesium, folate, magnesium, folate, which are important in boosting your immunity.

6. Shell Fish

Shellfish contains zinc that helps our immune cells to work as required. It is important that you don’t take more than the daily recommended dose of zinc.

Taking too much zinc can actually inhibit the immune system function of your body. You can add it to your dishes or make a soup with it.

7. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are one of the foods that boost the immune system because they contain vitamin B riboflavin and niacin, and also selenium. Vitamin B help to boost your immunity while selenium helps you to fight off flu. They also contain polysaccharides that boost the immune functions of your body.

Another benefit is that Mushrooms can help with diabetes.

8. Garlic

Garlic is the most common ingredient found in every woman’s kitchen. This is because of the flavour it adds to food, it helps to fight bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is at its best when taken in its real form, not the extracted form or in powdered form.

Garlic lowers cholesterol, blood pressure and softens harden arteries. It has immune-boosting properties due to the allicin in it. It is a remedy for cold in many homes.

9. Ginger

Ginger is one of the most used ingredients by women. They use it in dishes, drinks, teas, and snacks. This is because of its taste and flavour let’s not forget its health benefits. It is also a good source of antioxidants and boosts your immunity. Ginger helps to reduce inflammation in your body, helps when cold, sore throat, nausea and vomiting.

10. Spinach

Spinach is also known as Alayyahu in Northern Nigeria. it is one of the most available vegetables in the North. it can grow in your backyard in large quantities without stress and needs little to no effort in its upkeep.

This nutritious vegetable has folates, fibre, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. It helps to improve your immunity as it has nutrients that aid in the division of cells and DNA repairs. it is best to cook it lightly to keep its nutrients.

11. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a delicious and nutritious drink that is available in Nigeria. There are a lot of factories producing it. Like SAN yoghurts, Rufaidah yoghurts, Habib Yoghurt, Sahara yoghurts, and many more.

The reason it is considered as food that boost the immune system is that to produce yoghurts, live and active cultures are used in the mixture. This culture helps your immune system in fighting diseases. Yoghurts have vitamins, calcium and are rich in probiotics that help to reduce cold. Nut try to avoid yoghurts if you are diabetic.

12. Watermelon

A refreshing fruit that is delicious, nutritious and contains water in it. it is a good source of water, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and glutathione. This fruit has low calories and is used in gyms as a smoothie weight loss diet.

This is because glutathione that is present in the red part of the fruit helps in immune function. Pregnant women can add it to their diet to help them.

13. Poultry

Chicken pepper soup is the most common remedy for cold. Let’s not forget the tastiness of a crunchy drumstick or how soft and tasty a peppered turkey is.

This is because it helps in lowering the inflammation and reducing the cold. Poultry has vitamin B6, have gelatine, chondroitin that help in improving your immunity.

14. Kiwi

Kiwi is not available like other fruits in Arewa. It is a fruit that contains folate, potassium, vitamin K and C; it helps your body fight infection. Also, it increases white blood cell production in your system.

15. Green Tea

Tea is one of my go-to drinks for finding peace and inspiration. This is because it has a soothing effect on our nerves. Tea has flavonoids that are an antioxidant. Certain teas have L-theanine an amino-acid compound

Taking green tea will help improve your immunity. It will help you sleep better if you have insomnia. Chamomile tea and Green tea will also help you with weight loss.

Conclusion

There are certain foods that boost the immune system and help your body fight diseases off. They help in reducing inflammation, DNA repair, cell regeneration and improving immune function.

What are the foods that improve your immunity when you are down? Kindly leave your comments below to let us know what your immune boosters are.

12 Foods That Improve Metabolism

12 Foods That Improve Metabolism

Humans eat. We one way or another depend on foods to increase our metabolism, get the required nutritional requirements, and get the energy we need for our day-to-day activities.

What Is Metabolism?

Our bodies undergo chemical reactions that change the food we eat into the energy we use to get through our activities, from moving to thinking to working to feeling to growing, and that is metabolism.

Having a high metabolism in the body can give you energy and make you feel better. In this article, you’ll discover foods that increase metabolism in the body and that are mostly found in protein.

12 Foods That Increase Metabolism

1. Avocado

Avocado provides the body with necessary nutritional benefits as it contains fat and mono-saturated fats—these are the good fats that lower bad cholesterol. It also contains nine essential amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids.

Eating avocado has been proven to be a food that increases metabolism and keeps us healthy.

2. Milk

Whole milk does the body good as it is a good source of protein. More so, it is a bone-building food that increases our metabolism as it has calcium in it. Add this to your diet or drink it as a whole. You will still get the same benefits.

3. Beans

In addition, there are varieties of beans based on their color – black, white, red, and brown beans. Research suggests all varieties do good to the body but black bean does the most.

This food increases metabolism in the body as it is a complete protein meal.

4. Leafy vegetables

This is also one of the foods that increase metabolism. Leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, asparagus, green peas, and broccoli help increase metabolism as they have a high content in protein, iron, and magnesium. Iron is required to accelerate the metabolic rate in the body. It also helps in the growth and development of the body.

5. Soy-bean

This is a versatile protein food that increases metabolism, as it could be consumed either as tofu or soy-bean milk. Make sure to make tofu with a healthy oil such as sesame seed oil, coconut oil, grapefruit oil, or hempseed oil.

6. Eggs

Eggs are low in carbohydrates, an excellent source of protein, and contain vitamin B. Eat your eggs in any way you desire—cooked or fried—but make sure you use a good source of healthy oil.

7. Spicy Foods

Chilli pepper! Studies show that spicy foods have natural chemicals that boost metabolism in the body. Add chilli pepper or chilli flakes to enjoy that pasta as it is guaranteed to increase metabolism in the body.

8. Ginger

This root spice is also versatile as you could grate/mince them to your meal or use them in their dried form. Add this to a meal or the dried form to your tea as breakfast to get that energy and boost you require.

9. Fish

This is also one of the foods that increase our metabolism. Our bodies burn calories when we eat protein; replace those carbohydrates with protein to boost metabolism in our body. In addition, fish is a great source of protein, be it salmon or tuna.

10. Seeds

Good foods that increase metabolism in the body are found in these seeds: hemp seed, flaxseed, and lentils. Another is chickpea, as it has a high protein content. Chickpeas are cooked, eaten, and sometimes topped with these varieties of seeds.

11. Green Tea

Furthermore, green tea is one of the foods that increase our body’s metabolism. Studies show that drinking 2–4 cups of green tea a day pushes the body to burn 17% of its calories. They are also anti-inflammatory.

12. Coffee

Coffee increases body metabolism due to its high caffeine content.

Other Ways of Increasing Metabolism in the Body

1. Water: Drink enough water before and after every meal, as this keeps you hydrated and fills you up.

2. Adequate Sleep: Have a good night’s rest for at least 8 hours. This helps keep you sane, active, and well-rested.

3. Exercise: Sitting too much is bad for you, and even doing nothing, in particular, makes your body burn calories. So, walk, run, and stand more often if you can. Have a routine you do at home to activate those core, glutes, and muscles.

Protein is the most effective for increasing metabolism because the body needs to use more energy to digest it than it does carbohydrates.

Eat a balanced diet if you can, stay hydrated, get adequate sleep, and exercise too; you’re on your way to increasing the metabolic rate in your body. I hope this article helped you by telling you about foods that increase metabolism in the body. Add them to your meal when you can, thank you!