If someone is offering a miracle cure, miracle weight loss, or miracle perfect skin, and he isn’t the Son of God Himself, that’s probably a pretty good indication you should run the other way.
(Note: Most late-night infomercial hosts are not the Son-of-God type. Nor are the marketing teams selling the latest feel-good/look-good/be-good product on pharmacy shelves.)
It’s both empowering and aggravating that seeking good health naturally can take so much work, not only in its implementation at times (like an elimination diet) but also in its discovery – one often has to try multiple pathways to health, remaining cognizant and really getting to the bottom of the issue, before achieving success.
Sometimes, I just want a doctor to tell me what’s wrong, give me the fix and send me on my way. In that sense, natural health can be emotionally exhausting, because the process is all on you.
On the other hand, when it’s the middle of the night and a child is sick, knowing not one but four or five possible ways to help feels empowering.
There are very few (if any) quick fixes when something in the body goes wrong.
We can learn a lot from others, and the more we know, well…the more we know.
An Interview with Tracy on Healing Adult Acne
Tracy McCullough is the author at The Love Vitamin.
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What circumstances led you to your current health and wellness mission?
I had suffered with mild to moderate acne my whole life which never seemed to get better after I left my teenage years. In fact, it got worse, and when I was 23, my skin suddenly exploded into severe acne everywhere across my face. I was devastated, and SO embarrassed. I mean, I was an adult, right? This wasn’t supposed to be happening to me. It was such a painful time in my life.
I decided to heal my acne without the use of harsh chemical drugs and instead decided to support my health with a better diet, lower stress, exercise, natural skin care, and just an all round improvement in my lifestyle. It worked, and I healed my severe acne and now I rarely ever get acne at all anymore.
Believe me, it’s a HUGE relief, and I know that there are so many people out there suffering with the same issue, and I want to help them see that there is an alternative to conventional treatments when it comes to treating acne. So many people feel like they have tried every single product on the shelf, or drug from the dermatologist, and nothing works.
It’s because they need to heal the root cause of the acne, and conventional treatments never do that.
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How does your work address needs that you see in today’s health care system?
Well, when you go to the dermatologist, they STILL say that food doesn’t affect acne, or that your lifestyle has nothing to do with it. It’s a lie, and once people have tried everything possible and it hasn’t worked, what do they do? Well I am filling that gap by letting people know that they have the power to change their skin, and that they CAN heal it naturally and safely.
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What do you wish more people knew about health?
I wish that they realized that disease isn’t an accident. When something goes wrong in our bodies, it’s because there is an imbalance, and with acne in particular, it’s not to do with dirt or how often you wash your face! Our bodies want to be healthy and they are always trying to get to a healthy state… we just need to give it what it needs in the form of nutrients, rest, a state of low stress, and some exercise and disease won’t exist (and neither will acne).
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What has been hardest for you on this path of natural health?
I think being moderate with my lifestyle changes. Sometimes when you have a health problem and you want to get rid of it ASAP, you can get a little bit crazy with trying to change everything and be very strict about it. This can lead to stress, which often has the opposite effect since stress can lead to breakouts. Always remember to be patient and easy on yourself! Nobody is perfect, and that’s okay.
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What are your top three suggestions that individuals could add to their life to improve their skin health:
In terms of skin health, you should:
- Avoid processed food as much as possible, and focus on real, whole foods
- Throw our your commercial face washes and products which are actually irritating and often cause more acne than they solve
- Learn to love yourself, and let life flow a little. Stress can be a major cause of acne, and one of the biggest sources of stress is how hard we are on ourselves! You’re beautiful!
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Where can we learn more about what you do?
My ebook, Ultimate Secrets to Acne Freedom, is a compilation of all my best acne fighting tips rolled into one place.
I also write blog posts and make videos every week about naturally treating acne, and healing the painful emotions that come with it. Check it out: http://www.thelovevitamin.com
I’m drawn to Tracy’s story personally for a few reasons. First, it seems that I know far too many people my age who are dealing with breakouts or acne, when we should be in the happy place between pimples and wrinkles.
I also thought about Tracy’s books when a young cousin, about the age Tracy was when she had her real food/natural health awakening, announced that she was so happy with her skin because she had started taking Accutane a few months prior.
My breath caught in my throat.
Another cousin, other side of the family, took that stuff as a teen, just for a short time, and has such skin sensitivity to sunlight it’s crazy. Between that radical side effect and the havoc it can wreak on people’s psychological health, Accutane scares me.
I wish more young people were as open to holistic healing as Tracy was, and I feel that her story – and the youthful platform from which she delivers it – will change many lives.
More on natural skin care:
- Simple One-Ingredient Facial {DIY}
- Natural Makeup Reviews
- Best All-Day NATURAL Facial Moisturizing Sunscreens
- DIY Organic Beauty Recipes
- Do you have a candida rash?
Free Resource for Natural Remedies!
I am always grateful for the community at Kitchen Stewardship® – it’s like having the smartest natural moms in the world all living right next door. I’ve compiled the best natural remedies for 12 of the most commonly discussed ailments here at KS, and am making this resource available for free to all my readers!
Imagine this ebook as a virtual chat over the backyard fence with your own neighbor, a wise older mom who raised a bunch of kids with intention, trying to avoid unnecessary medication and being kind to the earth.
Disclosure: This post is packed with affiliate links. I love to work with my friends and blogging colleagues like Tracy McCullough. So if you buy any products using some of the links in this post, I’ll get a kickback…but you’ll get a good product, hopefully at a great deal! It’s a win-win. See my full disclosure statement here.
Jai Ananda says
Good article. As for Todd Caldecott, keep in mind that he is not a doctor, nurse, biologist, chemist, or nutritionist. He is a seemingly well read “herbalist” who enjoys reading research articles by doctors and academic folks, and then picks up the terms and offers his opinions. Although I do think he helped an Ayurveda Doctor in Nepal publish a book, so that makes him a Ayurveda doctor as well.
Aubrey says
Great site. I went from eating complete junk to eating completely healthy for the last month. I only had two days with slight hiccups. My skin seems to be doing better, but I was wondering when I can see it completely clear? About how long can I expect to see full results?
tina says
I just thought I should mention that the author’s website, http://www.thelovevitamin.com, while offering very good advice regarding the connection between nutrition and acne, has some not “family friendly” discussions on it as well. Just don’t want anyone to be surprised as I was when I was reading some of her blogs with my teenager.
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Uh oh! Really…shoot. I only skimmed a few things on the blog itself and mostly read the book in my review…sorry about that and thank you for the note! :/Katie
Lori says
I had terrible acne as a teen into my 20’s. I cannot count how many times I was put on Accutane….nothing seemed to work. And my expert dermatologist claimed that what I ate had nothing to do with my acne. How I wish I could go back in time. Even 10 years later, I still suffer from side effects from Accutane. My mother feels terrible b/c she is the one who encouraged me to take it. I know that she was just trying to do what she thought was best for me – she hated seeing me so miserable with the acne. What parent wouldn’t try to help their child feel better??? I wish more people would speak up and tell the world that diet DOES effect our skin. If only I had known that all along…. I wouldn’t be dealing with these side effects for the rest of my life.
Leann Arthur says
I try to get outside everyday. I don’t know about latitudes and Vit D production, I just know it helps me feel happier.
vgs1895 says
I live in the Northern latitudes (Northern MN), and during the winter it’s hard for us to get D from the sun. We do get tons of sun, but we aren’t outside regularly. With windchills sometimes at -40º, we just go to our cars and do our exercise inside. 🙂
Dawn says
I too have been plagued by acnes into my 40s. An elimination diet finally showed me that food sensitivities were the cause.
Regarding sunbathing in the winter…it is my understanding that above a certain latitude, the sun’s rays are not intense enough in winter to trigger Vit D production in our skin. I believe that Florida might be the only place in the U.S. where it is possible. Google “Vitamin D Council” for more specific information. There’s a book out there about Vit D called “Naked at Noon”. I haven’t read it, but it has info about what is required for your skin to make it.
vgs1895 says
“If someone is offering a miracle cure, miracle weight loss, or miracle perfect skin, and he isn’t the Son of God Himself, that’s probably a pretty good indication you should run the other way”
THANK YOU! This should be engraved/embroidered/embossed EVERYWHERE anyone might be trying to lose weight.
I feel so bad for people I meet who tell me they lost 10 pounds in a week. I don’t want to dampen their happiness, but when I taught college nutrition courses I used to tell people, “The quicker it comes off, the quicker it goes back on” (with a few extra pounds as well).
The old saying is true: “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Allison says
Wow. This is such a great post! I had terrible acne for years. I took birth control and used harsh acne creams throughout high school to curb the acne, but it just worsened over time! Then I started getting severe migraines and was diagnosed with autoimmune disorders. I eventually changed my diet dramatically and saw huge results! I no longer suffer with acne…at all. It’s pretty incredible. Glad there are people like Tracy helping others find healing!! Her ebook and website sound awesome!