Still Problems after RAW for 1 Year...

[Davylp25]

Okay I have been 100% Raw for 1 year. I have had improvements, but not anywhere near what I think I should have had after all the sacrifices I have made when it comes to healthy lifestyle changes. So let me vent. *smile*

Even after a year of 100% Im still having skin problems. Which after my year of research, and not vanity, ACNE and your skin are a big indication for me what is going on internally with my organs. I have blackheads on my nose, Normally a black head is puss (undigested food) from the blood stream. So that means I have undigested food, even though its Healthy raw food, its still not good. So I chew more, I read and buy the DVD from Boutenko about Greens for Life, I also purchase the book. Okay maybe it's low stomach acid, so I begin doing the Green Smoothie thing. I keep it real simple greens and 1 type of fruit, I dont mix different fruits. But still the same problems persisted. I even went almost 1 month of just eating Green Smoothies. Almost a gallon a day. But here I still em. Hello, I have acne still. I have researched that,If your skin is not perfect, your constipated! Your acid waste is coming outward and parasites are living on it to save there life. Yet Im going to the bathroom alot as much as I can, granted Im expelling what I eat... Im not constipated, but obviously if Im still breaking out, then theres a problem. I have eaten simple meals, one type of fruit, later on one type of fat, still had skin problems.

Where the lymph glands cleanse, there will be no mucus for the bacteria to eat and the skin would clear. Well heck, I dry brush everynight and have been for 1 year. Im out in the sun almost everyday here in Los Angeles, I walk all the time, since I have no car. So things should be moving. But Im still where I began.

Granted, it has gotten better, But after all the lifestyle changes I have made, and all the hype, I feel that I should have gotten there by now. I was told by a professional holistic via email that old toxins should have been gone by now and that your adding more into your bloodstream...

So I hang my head low, and dont even like to tell people Im raw because Im not a good spokesperson for it. It's very frustrating because half the responce I will get, I already know what they will be... hehe, because like I have said I have been here before and have gone down the list of what could be the possible problem. I have also been doing emotional clearing as well. But each day theres something new on my face, I haven't had clear skin in years. Theres always something on it, or some old mark that takes forever to heal.

I will have done my 7th liver flush this coming Saturday, and it has helped, but not where I want it to be.

I have used a zapper, colon cleanses,added more fiber to my diet,drink alot of water, take blood cleansing things like E3live, Chlorella, Natures First food, Liver Cleansing Milk Thistle whole seeds and pills, Eatin WHOLE huge Aloe vera leaves, Purchased a shower filter, wash my face with only natural things, No chemical shampoos, Calcium Sulphate, Cell salts, 6 Liver Flushes, Eat only large green smoothies for weeks. Seems like I keep trying new things hoping it will be THE ONE THING that finally helps my body assist in ridding my self of these deeper internal problem, but it keeps coming back. I have even just tried pretending its not there, and stop thinking about it, but it's always there.

I have done so many things to make sure it leaves from down there and not from my skin, but again theres always something on my skin. Which means theres always something in my blood, something my liver cant handle, something my colon cant rid itself of. I just dont know what to do now. I know what half the responces will be, like I said I have been here before, Trust me, I have checked off the list.

The frustrating thing is that I have started to work out again, last month, and Im looking more gaunt, Im not wanting to eat as much because I dont want undigested food causing me to break out, even though its raw healthy food, doesnt matter, I feel like the only way is 2 just not eat period. But thats insane. I need to eat more to gain any muscle I want, but then the problem persists. Raw doesnt seem to be the cure all end all for me. Its very frustrating, my habitual nature makes me think... Hmm what should you try next, Add sprouts? Purchase Digestive Enzymes? But then think thats crazy because I eat food thats alive with enzymes, what the hell...ya know. I dont eat cooked foods that are dead, Im eating food that are alive.. More things that I think will finally be the answer... I dunno. Im dissapointed. I dont even want to eat anything anymore. But I still do, Im not that broken. I try this I try that, same ol same ol. It makes me quite sad. It can feel pretty hopeless. I mean I dont even remember the last time my skin was clear, EVER. I feel I have tried so many means to an end with this. And again, its not about the skin, Im used to the acne by now, it signifies still, even though I have changed so much lifestyle things, That my body still isnt clean as it should be to fight this. Then think, do another long fast... Ugh, but I dont really want to. Then I think, well I will fast, but as soon as it's over, same ol same ol, and once I start eating, More acne, nails still brittle, more of the same ol.

So thats my vent.... lol.

[Coriander74]

Wow Davy, you've been through a LOT!!

Congratulations on being Raw for a year, that is such an inspiration to me!

I'm assuming you've tried tea-tree oil on the skin, perhaps muted with some coconut oil?

I'm sorry you're going through so much. Hang in there, and try to feed yourself. It's easy to slip into starvation mode when you're not happy with what your body is doing.

Raw love and light

[sungoddess]

I wish I had something to say that explained this. It concerns me especially because I am someone with very bad acne since going raw. It was bad before on and off, but raw has made it it's worst. I have only been raw for 2.5 months, and so I am believing that it will get better... but in the back of my mind I always have a fear that it won't. I am not even being nearly as healthy on raw as you have been!

Has it improved at all???? How was it/is it like? Cystic? many small? I want to figure this out right along with you. I hope someone has something helpful to say!!!!

[daisyduke]

Sorry to hear about your disappointment. I had acne too. I have been raw for 10 months. It just started going away. How much fat are you eating? My acne disappeared when I added more greens and got more rest. How much rest are you getting? I've heard that detox lasts as many months as you ate cooked food. So I'm 27 years old - that's 27 months of detox for me...17 more to go. It can only get better. Hold your head high - you're doing amazing!

[Davylp25]

Hey thanks for the kind words.

I get alot of sleep. Sometimes too much lol. The acne depends. I know that they were very bad toxins, when I sometimes break out and the acne feels like theres alot of pressure and its very deep, those are the bad ones. Other times its tiny, sometimes big. When it it was at its worst, I think when I was doing a parasite cleanse, when I would shave, My face would be dripping with blood because my face was covered with them, so no matter how gentle I shaved... However I used to break out on my back, that is no more. So yeah for that. LOL.

They say that when you do break out, its good in way cause it shows that your body is getting rid of the toxins, but they should be going out down there. So, its bums me out like I said because, It still means my organs aren't working as good as they should and Im still having the same issues. So its a double edge sword, YEah THE toxins are leaving, but ugh, my skin where its leaving, instead of down there.

I have read that it takes years at times to cleanse and detox all the way, Great.LOL

[Sunshine9]

Davy,

Thank you for sharing your frustrations and I think a lot of people can resonate with what you are saying, because they were expecting raw to handle more issue in their lives. Raw food is amazing. And only one small part of the whole spectrum of health. Sounds like you've done your research, and tried a lot of good things. What is your age? A year is really a short amount of time just on raw.

If it were me, this is what I would do: Choose ONE thing I could do every day that I know at a deep level will bring awesome health, and do that one thing no matter what. Appreciate that you are doing it. If that is easy, perhaps add two or three things to your discipline but just that... don't do everything at once. Visualize healing light radiating through your body and to your skin. How does a series of colonics resonate with you? Have you done any light juice or water fasting?

If the green smoothies aren't creating what you want in your skin, perhaps less sugar might be something to try for a while. Green juices are wonderful, as are blended green soups made with vegetables.

For topical treatment - DMSO - not a toy though, so get a book about it before getting some

You are right on in that the skin does reflect the internal state of our bodies. So keep on the path of the best health ever and you will get there. Have fun and enjoy it. :)

Wishing you vibrant health,
Sunshine

[freespirit]

Have you tried wheatgrass? Do some research on it and see what you think, it is known to clear acne and some say it will even reverse scarring.

[spicyfull]

Hope things work out for you. Congratulations on being RAW for 1 Year, that is an inspiration to me....

[pdx kris]

At about 1 year raw, I realized that I had to move beyond just eating raw in any ol' form and start paying attention to food combining and watch my intake of refined (read not whole) sources of fats.

Have you tried replacing oils with fat sources like avos and implementing proper food combing? I think that would be a great place to start!

And yes, congrats on your year!

[Azianbee]

Hi Davy,

I totally feel what you are saying. Although I don't have acne, I have eye bags, and like you, I am trying everything. My main impetus for going raw is because of my eye bags. I've stopped drinking alcohol, coffee. And am doing 70 - 85% raw. Although one can argue that I haven't done enough. But I do think that I've done a lot.

I also see an ayuvedic doctor and she said that I should do eye massages, eye mask, eye gel..etc.. I've done it all. I also drink a small beet everyday because I heard that it cleanses your liver. I really don't see any improvement. As a matter of fact, they might be getting worst. Don't know...I don't even want to look in the mirror anymore. They really do depress me.

I do understand where you are coming from. I thought that raw would help me. I'm still going to continue it and aim to be 100%, cuz I feel really good while I'm on it. As for the eye bags if they don't get better, I'm gonna have to get surgery some day. I don't want to though. Don't like that idea.

I think also a lot of people posted that raw food helped their eye bags, some say it's a lot less and others say it's completely gone. But I think that one thing that needs to be differentiated is how bad were their eye bags?? If it's just a little bit, then yeah raw will probably eliminate or decrease it. But if it's a lot, then who are we kidding? That's not gonna go away no matter what you do. Just my honest opinion. Let's just say I would be very surprise if my eye bags go away without surgery.

So hang in there. I definitely know how you feel...

[Linda1970]

Hi Davy,

Thanks for sharing this! You have worked very hard. I really admire your perseverance.

I can feel your frustration and helplessness. I started getting cystic acne 2 years ago. Prior to raw, I tried many of the things you mentioned. Nothing helped. With raw, my acne has improved, though VERY slowly(one smaller pimple every 30-60 days). I've been raw for about half a year, and although my acne has improved from moderate to mild, it is still far from clear. I still have lots of whiteheads(30-50) on my forehead and 1-2 bigger pimples(not cysts) on my chin. This is still a lot better than before raw, where I would have 3-5 cysts on my chin. For some reason, I just have this gut feeling that only raw food can help me, even though the progress has been so slow.

I hope you will really be able to see clear skin soon. You sure deserve it after all those hard work.

[rawpriestess]

Hi, please know that Victoria Boutenko states that after 7 years on raw food, she still had healing crisis, so how long were you eating cooked?


20 years, 30 years, 40 years, and how long have you been raw 1 year?

okay, so how much longer are you willing to work on gaining health?

it is all up to you.

I personally am willing to use the rest of my life to gain health, but that is me.

[Davylp25]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I felt alot better after I vented this. Alot better.

I guess I had to many expectations when I first began raw. That it would happen so quickly, cuz I kept reading people who went raw and were jumping for joy, and for me it seems like that expectation, blinded me to the fact that I was gonna have some pretty gnarly detox, breakouts, sweats, tired, headaches, emotional despair, I guess I looked at it from a POLLYANA state of mind, and not a balanced one. You live ya learn. Now that I think of it, I remember reading in one book that it could take up to 1 year or more to really clean you out, I remember when I read that I thought, NO, it will happen quicker, lol. And here I am 1 year later. Still not where I wanna be. But In getting there, but it's a struggle, because it seems like everyone you know is watching you to be that PINNACLE of health since you gave up the DRUGS, literally in every sense, and they are watching, and sometimes you feel like a let down, Like your not good enough, or you are doing something wrong.

I will def not give up, and I will keep pushing on. Its better, but not 100% healed.

Thanks for the suggestions, I read and heard Victoria say that because she wasnt eating enough greens her families health started to decline even after raw. So I thought if I add more greens, WALLAH. I thought I would learn from her mistake, all would be healed. But it's taking time.

I have tried wheatgrass, for 2 weeks I had downed fresh wheatgrass, Until my body starting rejecting it, and I felt sick after. So I still have it everynow and then. I did have colonics, I still cant believe I did that. LOL. But I did. I didnt do all these things at once though. I did them after the things before it failed to give me results I needed. But gee you should have seen me when I was doing the parasite cleanse, which just involved taking herbs morning, and night for 30 days. My face was covered, RED planets on my face. Alot better since then though.

Im 25 years old, soon to be 26. So 1 year after eating bad for so long isnt that much. But the expectations, and dreams of having new skin, healthier feelings, etc etc is just a frustrating wait. It's like a piece of the old you dies a lil everyday on this journey and you are just waiting for that new you to appear, and when it seems to take so long, you always question, Em I doing enough> em I enough? What em I doing wrong? Why isn't this working? Why me? And then the next day you feel fine, and continue the journey. I will. But this acne, and it's deeper meaning has takin away my ability to look people in the eye for years, because I see there eyes gazing at my skin, makes me feel like Im failing... it holds me back. Im like ARGH, I wanna be at the payoff and just soar....

However, I have to rebalance and know that Im not failing, Im doing exceptional and to keep marching on even when the drum seems shattered at times. I have been adding more spiritual stuff as of late, listening to chakra balancing cd's, more meditation, and deep breathing, walking on the earth barefoot, connecting my heart to the earth. Im just trying to get it right, ya know.

Again thanks for the kind words and to know, that everyone still has there lil issues and everyone here isn't PERFECT.

[lily]

Wow, Davy, I do admire you for all that you're doing to improve your health. You're doing so many positive things and have had lots of great suggestions from this forum.

As I read it all, I sensed all the tension and striving within you, and I wondered whether that stress was contributing to the skin -- and I felt perhaps the spiritual dimension was missing -- then I read your last message:

'I have been adding more spiritual stuff as of late, listening to chakra balancing cd's, more meditation, and deep breathing, walking on the earth barefoot, connecting my heart to the earth'

-- so you're do great there, too.

I find the 'diagnoses' of Louise Hay are always so accurate for any ailments I get, so I looked up 'acne'. This is what she says:

'Not accepting the self. Dislike of the self.' And the affirmation she gives to help the condition is:

'I am a Divine expression of life. I love and accept myself where I am right now.'

If that resonates with you, write it out real big on a card and keep looking at it or repeating it! This works every time for me.

You're getting there -- we're getting there -- we're all on the road, imperfections and all --

lily

[dreamrawalwz]

i hope this isn't an old thread haha, it wouldn't let me log in after i was doing it 3x ? Anyway, i don't have time to respond so i'll make this quick. Have you looked in to food allergies or intolerances? They can cause hundreds of symptoms!

[faith4u]

I wish I had something to say that explained this. It concerns me especially because I am someone with very bad acne since going raw. It was bad before on and off, but raw has made it it's worst. I have only been raw for 2.5 months, and so I am believing that it will get better... but in the back of my mind I always have a fear that it won't. I am not even being nearly as healthy on raw as you have been!

Has it improved at all???? How was it/is it like? Cystic? many small? I want to figure this out right along with you. I hope someone has something helpful to say!!!!

You know, the only way my skin stays clear is if I regularly juice carrots. I don't know what it is but if I stop doing it my skin starts getting bad even when raw.

[sungoddess]

Wow, I should try that

[Lay-Lay]

hope you feel better soon and congrats on one year!

[solarliving]

There was a time when I juiced 4 carrots a day with 1/2 a beet, 1 apple. I will tell you, my skin looked the best it has ever looked.

[sungoddess]

Thats so interesting about the carrot juice. And if it works, it works! However, doens't it seem like we should be able to have good skin without carrot juice??? You know what I mean? argh.

[earthhealer]

The suggestions of carrot juice (faith4u) and possible allergies (dreamrawalwz} are promising. I would like to suggest, if these do not help, that you try homeopathic treatment. An experienced homeopath will understand that certain potenized remedies have a centrifugal effect that can will help move the underlying disorder to the surface allowing the skin to clear.

Skin is often the last organ to detoxify but can be the most difficult. It provides information about our healing process. Just a thought!

[Guppy]

You seem 100% certain that the acne has to do with your diet. I am no dermatologist, but I do know that in women, acne is very often hormonally related. I believe it can often have to do with excess androgenic activity, if I am remembering correctly. Is it possible that the acne has to do with something other than what you are or aren't eating? It sounds like your diet is already amazingly clean.

I know most people here do not take conventional medicines, but if it really upsets you so much, perhaps it would be worth visiting a dermatologist? I have used short-term doses of antibiotics before which cleared up my skin in a jiffy. If that is totally against your philosophy then just disregard it. I understand.

I hope you find your solution soon!
best,
emily

[SmilingRawDancer]

I was on tetrycycline for about 3 years, and at first I saw major improvement.....then it wained. I've just settled and accepted that I may have to live with acne untill I'm well into my 20's.

[sungoddess]

Well, if the acne is hormone related, I had hoped that raw would be something that could level out my hormones... because even if it is common, its still not healthy. Even though I have only been 100% for 76 days, and have been heavy on fats. I think I will see a homeopathic doctor or an accupuncturist to try and get some symptomatic relief until my detox is over.... which looks like it could be a long time!

Thank you guys!

ps. why is carrot juice supposed to clear up acne? it seems like it couldn't have such power!!! :)

[SmilingRawDancer]

I second the carrot question!

I think I'll up my carrot intake and try and see some results.
Does anyone have any good simple carrot recipes?
And when I say simple, I mean simple.
Like........ puree, blend, add that and bam there's food! :)

<3

[jujube]

I am on my 4th year raw, and I will get acne if I eat certain foods: nuts, coconut, and to a lesser extent bananas. When I avoid them, my skin stays extremely clear.

Maybe a certain food you eat is making you break out. I kept a food diary for a while, in order to figure out what was causing my acne-- maybe you can try that too.

Zinc is also very, very important in skin health, and zinc supplements have actually been used with acne patients to clear up their skin... are you eating enough zinc? I know RDAs are unreliable, but zinc is still a crucial mineral, and if you're consistently low on it, it may be preventing your skin from healing.

[greeninloanageles1]

My skin improved in the first tree weeks to very nice color and I never get pimples with raw foods with one exception-when i tried 80/10/10 vertion of the raw diet - then I got rash(a lot of tiny pimples) on my torso. I think it was a detox. Unfortunately I did not last long on that vertion and fell off completely even off raw. Now I will wait long time untill I try it again(not raw, but 80/10/10).

[freespirit]

The carrot juice is probably becasue of all the Vitamin A. That is what retin-A and accutane are derived from, So maybe using a natural,raw source will have a similar effect.
And I thinks beets also contain a lot of vit A.

[light&happy]

Davyl,

I assume that you have tried steam showers? we have one in our house, but you can try a gym or a spa with a steam shower, or simply boil water, throw some tea tree oil in it and lean over the steam for 10-15 mintutes with a towel covering your head to keep the steam in. a couple of times per week at least.

two other suggestions:

get a blood test for food sensitivites (not food allergies) from a naturopath, and maybe try an esoteric healer? one that does energy work?

just the fact that you have been committed to raw with less than great results is sooooo inspiring to me! I am only 70-80% raw, but keep up the good work, you ARE an inspiration to others!:)

melissa

[Forever Young]

Davelp25 don't give up,my wife pansy and I have been raw going on 5 years now, about a month ago I had the granddaddy of all detoxes, Iam just getting over it now. It takes a long time to clear out all the junk we've put in our bodies there are no quick fixes. Forever Young :cool:

[eatyourbroccoli]

i think its the vitamin A in carrots that does it

lily - from what book is that, the louise hay thing? im very interested :)

[JustMe]

i was wondering how often you wash your face and do you use cleansers that are man made? Have you tried just using completely natural methods such as honey to wash with and then just use a simple moisturizer like coconut oil? If you wash and scrub your face too much that can cause disturbances as well such as overstimulating the oil glands, etc. There are people on here that stopped using ANYTHING on their faces and just washed with water and they said they saw dramatic improvement.

I also second the juicing. if you don't have a juicer, a good way to get those carrots or sweet potatoes in are Alissa's carrot cake and her sweet potatoe pie!!! She also has a great juice recipe to give skin a boost!

also, make sure you are getting enough omega 3 fats - walnuts and flax, more so than other fats.

[Sooboopa]

Eatyourbroccoli...that book is 'You Can Heal Your Life'... :)

[Davylp25]

Hey all...

Yep I get enough Omegas, Take a Dha supplement. Have taken steam showers, Only wash my face with natural homemade things, take steam showers, epsom baths, I always add fiber and flax or chia seeds to my smoothies for fiber. I always grind pumpkin seeds and eat them for my zinc. Im guessing because after all these things I have externally done, that my acne has more to do with 'emotions' and getting them out, because I really pay attention to what I eat and see if that's aggrivating it, and it seems the more I express things the better my skin looks. So I will keep hammering away. Thanks all.

[sungoddess]

I am drinking carrot and beet juice from an organic juicebar right now. Did somebody say in a different post that carrots can't be blended? they have to be juiced??? it would be great to use my vitamix....

[lane]

Davy,
A few years ago, I made the freakishly poor decision to stop using benzoyl peroxide (which had kept my skin spotless for years) 2 weeks before my wedding. It was, without hesitation, the most humiliating experience I have had thus far. I still struggle with breakouts (and scarring) but, after a year and a half raw, it has improved greatly.
Intuitively, I'm getting that you are not digesting your food properly- emphasis on lipase deficiency...I'm not too familiar with this, but those words came strongly to my mind as I read your post.
Your skin will get better...and think about all you have learned/will learn while trying to figure this out.
cc

[Sunrise]

Hi Davy,

It occurred to me while reading your post that it might not be anything on the inside that is causing your acne problems...

It came to mind that maybe it could be something as simple as your pillow. Maybe when you sleep the oils and bacteria from your face go onto the pillow so that you don't have a chance to heal. If you use commercial detergent, maybe it irritates your face. If you use natural, maybe you could try changing your pillow daily for a while to see if you clear up.

Just a thought! Good luck!

[Davylp25]

LOL thanks sunrise - but I did that. Changed to a natural detergent. Changed my pillow case daily. I even washed it daily in the past with natural detergent. LOL.. I have went down the list. LOL

Curious... How much pumpkin seeds would one have to eat each day to get the amount of zinc needed? Just wondering?

[jujube]

A little over a cup of pumpkin seeds meets the RDA.

Davy, what's the longest you've gone without any nuts or seeds? A lot of people find those things make them break out (myself included). If you eat them every day or almost every day, that might be contributing to acne.

[JustMe]

I also forgot to mention a great supplement for you to try to assist is MSM. I don't know how you feel about taking supplements, but this stuff is awesome! I use TriMedica Pure MSM powder and you can get it at vitacost.com. I take about 8 gm a day and it makes my skin very nice and smooth. I just mix it in my juice.

[Missrawdiva]

If it is infact hormonal... have you tried taking raw maca?? That may help even out your hormonal levels, which may clear up your skin. If you dont know what it is just google the word. It has a TERRIBLE taste so its best to get it in capsel form (if I had only known)..

[SwishTN]

Hey There!

I am so encouraged by your faithfulness to your health!!! I would love to have that kind of drive and spirit..... Keep your chin up, my friend!

First of all, I think this has been addressed, BUT, I do agree that some of this could be emotionally related. And, venting and releasing will be very healing for you. You need to be kinder to your body and your blood. Life is in the blood. Your blood has been very good to you. I would thank God for His life in your blood, causing it to become clean. Thank Him for your blood, period!! I am not saying this at all flippantly. There is power in your thoughts and words.

Second, I honestly think it could be a surface issue as well. I read somewhere about using parsely. I don't know if it was where someone had it in boiling water and used it like a sauna, if they juiced it and put it on their face or what. When I tried to look it up, I found one controversial possibility. There were some rave reviews about Burts Bees Parsley acne stick or something like that. May be worth checking out. And, then I also found the following home treatments. I know you have tried a lot, but, just-in-case. Also have you tried baking soda?

Okay, home remedies below. Happy Healing!!!! : )

Acne
1) Make a face pack of bran plus baking soda and water. Mix into a paste, apply to the face, leaving on for 15 minutes. Rinse with solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 8 parts water.

2) Parsley : Use an infusion of fresh parsley to wash the skin

3) Mint: Peppermint is an excellent antiseptic wash for acne.

4) Garlic: Peel and mash eight cloves of fresh garlic. Apply to face avoiding the area around the eyes. Leave on for about 15 minutes. Wash off with a warm cloth. Finish with a rinse of the vinegar pH balancer.

5) Wine: Breakouts can be controlled by applying wine with a cotton ball, white wine for fair skin, red wine for darker complexions.

6) After washing skin rinse with any of the following herb infusions:
a) chamomile which is purifying
b) yarrow to eliminate toxins
c) catnip which is an antiseptic
d) lavender which is antiseptic
e) thyme which is a strong germ killer

7) Dilute some lemon juice with water, dab pimple with solution to kill germs, cool inflamation and improve blood circulation.

8) Purchase or make your own calendula(marigold) ointment. Apply to reduce inflamation and speed healing. Or make an infusion and apply as a compress to the skin.

9) Lady's Mantle Acne Remedy
An infusion of lady's mantle herb is an excellent soothing and healing face rinse.

Blackheads & Blemishes
1) Heat honey slightly and apply to face, tap face gently with your fingers.
Wash honey off with warm water then rinse with cool water. A bit of wheat germ may be added to the honey before applying.

2) To loosen and cleanse blackheads, make a paste of oatmeal, honey and an eggwhite. Apply to the skin, massage for 10 minutes then rinse with tepid water.

3) For blackheads, make a paste of oatmeal and water.

4) For blackheads, make a paste of almond meal and water.

5) Blotchy skin: Make a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 8 parts water. Store in a decorative bottle in the bathroom. Rinse face 1-2 times a day with the solution.

6) For blackheads, rub with a slice of tomato

[Davylp25]

GEez thanks all. Thanks Swish. Gives me something new to try.

I just realized that the Raw Powder I got from Natures First, has maca in it. So cool.

My skin is clearing up. I had 2 really big cysts on my chin area. One was so deep and had so much pressure. But it's healing and going away.

One thing that I have been doing that has helped healing as well, Is Chlorella Face mask. Just chlorella add some water, and leave on till 10 15 minutes. Great mask.

[DeadNutrition]

Sorry to say, but genetics might play a role, eh? I've never had acne in my life even with the "other" food.

[sungoddess]

Genetics Plays a role in everything though. Why do some people have cancer, and some people have diabetes, some people have heart disease and some people have migraines. It is all from cooked food, but people are generally predisposed to certain symptoms, ailments or diseases. To brush it off as just genetics is silly becayse the point of raw is to heal whatever maladies that we have.... if it can heal cancer.... shouldn't it heal acne? Of course it can be genetics, that just isn't that point though. You know?

[freetarian]

I found out that acne has to do with

a) excess fat in the skin...
b) poor wound healing

I wonder if veggies can cause excess fat.....I dont eat veggies, and on fruit my acne has improved about 90% within the first week...if you can do it Id suggest you only eat fruit for a week or two and see if it gets better that way.......food combining can also cause acne...you might wanna start mono eating....only one type of fruit or only one type of veggie at any meal....and protein helps with wound healing....at least thats how it is with me.....just some thoughts....

[GS06]

Davy, Congratulations on your 1 year of being raw. One book that has been really great for me is "Juicing for Life" by Cherie Calbom. This book contains several juice recipes for any type of ailment. One I use quite often is the "Fresh Complexion Express"

2 slices of pineapple, with skin
1/2 cucumber
1/2 apple, seeded

Put all of this in a juicer and consume

Cucumbers are great for healing the skin. There are several other recipes for acne that may be helpful as well. I drink this juice or the carrot juice every day and have noticed amazing results.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Don't be hard on yourself, healing, whether that be mentally or physically, takes time. With all of your great efforts you will definitely get to where you want to be. Don't give up :)

[jaurequi]

Davy, interesting about the chlorella mask! Sounds like greens are great for just about everything.

Have you tried clays? There is the commonly found "Aztec" brand in most natural markets or vitamin shops, as well as bentonite clays; But, you can consider FULLERS EARTH (http://botanical.com/products/learn/fullers.html), externally, which is supposed to be good for acne.

I suppose whatever clay you can find at the market for external use will be good.

Best,

[Nancy from Portland]

Hello Davy,

Lily mentioned a spiritual perspective, and I am thinking that you might want to consider something in that realm.

A movie called "The Secret" is discussed in this website: http://chris.powerfulintentions.com/

"The Secret" explains a metaphysical concept called The Law of Attraction. Basically, the idea is that you get what you focus on. Changing one's thoughts and words to reflect what one wants (rather than what one doesn't want) is crucial and seeing yourself already there is also important. There are also some metaphysical work out there called the Abraham-Hicks material, which you could google if you so desire. This body of work is also about the Law of Attraction.

You are working very hard on the physical level. You have not only gone a year raw, but you have also disciplined yourself to do cleanses, etc. This tells me that you have a lot of self-discipline, and that you work hard to achieve your goals. What you have done is not easy. I like the idea from Lily about loving yourself. This is not to minimize in any way your struggle--but you are perfect just as you are.

I am holding you in light and love. Namaste.

~Nancy