Facial acne can be frustrating! Who has that drawer at home full of lotions and potions all bought in hopes for a fresh face free of acne?! I know I have. Lo and behold the money I spent was never the fix. What I didn’t know was that my skin really needed gentle support. Here I am going to outline a couple cost effective at-home practices that are designed to do just that. 

Things to do at home to help treat acne

Jade rolling / gua sha

These tools can be used to stimulate lymphatic drainage. Think of your lymph system as your septic system. It is a large network of vessels and lymph nodes that are designed to remove waste products, in addition to aiding in the immune system response team.  Using a gua sha or jade roller you can help with movement of this waste that can become stagnant. 

How to gua sha: This will help move lymph through the face—use GENTLE pressure, not hard, as the lymph system is right under the skin, superficially. 

• Follow a pattern of nose up and over brow, into temples.
• Nose under eyes to temples.
• Nose out and down towards ears.
• Nose down around mouth to chin.
• Repeat on the other side of your face.
• Then down the sides of your neck.

Face Steaming

Facial steaming is a hydrotherapy technique—think the power of water. Facial steaming is used to help warm the surface of the skin, thereby relaxing the muscles of the face and opening the vessels up for improved circulation of blood flow and lymph drainage. In addition, it opens the pores, softens debris, and can be the perfect addition to help improve your topical skin care regimen.

If you have the following items at home (large glass bowl, a method to heat water, and a large towel) this can be practically a free setup! Here’s how:

• Warm up water—this should NOT be boiling. Too high of heat can burn skin. It should be around 110 degrees Fahrenheit, max.
• Add water to glass bowl.
• Place face hovering just a few inches above (not directly  in the water!
• Throw a towel over your head to direct steam directly to skin.
• Bonus: throw on spa music and relax for about 15 minutes. 🙂

But if you wish, you can find various companies that have designed face steamers for easy use. Whatever your preference. 

Order of skincare steps, including a facial steam:

Wash face, facial steam, then apply moisturizer, serums or other topicals as indicated. 

The Classics

And of course, the classics—clean eating (good fats, proteins, veggies, and fruits)—give you the antioxidants needed to fight inflammation, provide the lipids needed to build and protect the skin barrier, and the nutrient sources needed to make your good microbes thrive.

Staying well hydrated with filtered water to help with the natural detoxification process of the 4 major hemunctory systems—pooping, peeing, sweating and breathing. 

Still need help with acne?

If skin is still aggravating, it is time to look deeper. Acne can be rooted in food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, skin and gut microbiome dysbiosis, reduced skin barrier hydration and protection, stress, and hormone imbalances. If this feels like you, give us a call—we’re here to help you detect root causes for your ongoing symptoms.

Dr. Danielle Vogler-Bos

Dr. Danielle Vogler-Bos is a Naturopathic Doctor, registered and licensed in both Minnesota and Arizona. Her passion is educating and empowering her patients to take back their health, partnering with them to find the root cause of their struggles, and helping them feel better, faster. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelors of Arts in Biology, Dr. Vogler-Bos earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, a fully accredited and nationally recognized institution in Phoenix, AZ.

During her clinical training, Dr. Vogler-Bos completed a rigorous internship gaining experience in the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, and adrenal fatigue using both traditional naturopathic medicine and bio-identical hormone therapies.