Natural Remedies for Acne, Eczema, and Rosacea Acne, eczema, and rosacea, are specific skin conditions that the medical community would have us believe are not associated with the food we put into our bodies. Look up any medical website, scan any medical pamphlet and you will stumble upon the sentence "The cause of (insert skin condition here) is not known," or "the link between food and said skin condition isn't clear." For a myriad of reasons, medical professionals insist that skin conditions such as these have no known cause and can only be managed but not cured. To put it plainly, this is simply not true. Despite what authorities on health may claim, the food that we put into our bodies does influence the appearance of our skin. These skin conditions can be treated with good nutrition and changing the way we eat is the first line of defense. Foods to Avoid for Clear Skin Sugar Refined sugar is a chemical that has no food or nutritious value. It results from the extreme processing and breaking down of natural sugars found in sugar cane and beet. After the food value of the natural sugar is stripped, chemicals and additives are added to it, creating a chemical whose makeup is foreign to the body, causing the body to react unnaturally. Candy, pastries, and cookies are examples of foods that contain sugar, and yes they taste great, but they should be avoided, or at minimum limited. Wheat Wheat in its whole form is a great source of nutrients and is healthy for the body. But the wheat that is consumed by the majority of people is wheat that has been processed and enriched. Refined bread and refined rice are staples in the American diet, yet are major contributors to the skin conditions that many suffer with. Refined bread and rice are wheat products that when eaten in excess can cause eruptions in the skin. Whole wheat then should replace enriched wheat as often as possible. Foods to Eat for Healthy Skin Fruits & Vegetables I combine these two food groups because they are the foundation of a nutritious and healthy eating lifestyle. Eating a fruit with every meal or snacking on fruits throughout the day is a great habit to adopt if we want to see changes in our skin. Fruits contain natural sugars (fructose) and will replace the desire for refined sugar if eaten regularly. Also, because raw vegetables (i.e. salad) are packed with nutrients and vitamins, making these a daily food source is important as well. A raw vegetable meal and a cooked vegetable meal is an important daily routine that is sure to have a tremendous impact on the skin. Finally In my previous article, What's So Special About Being Beautiful, I wrote about how true beauty requires self-love and self-acceptance. I also wrote that horrible experiences, harsh words spoken, and messages from the media can all contribute to an individual's lack of self-love. Those who suffer with skin conditions such as severe acne, eczema, or rosacea are ripe to be affected by messages like these, and prone to feelings of self-rejection. This, however, does not mean that the self-love tank cannot be replenished. I believe that by treating ourselves to nutritious and healthful foods, and eliminating less wholesome foods, we will begin the practice of self-love that will have practical changing effects on our skin and emotional effects on how we see and view ourselves. *This article is based on the nutritarian diet recommended by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. author of Eat to Live. Natural Remedies for Acne, Eczema, and Rosacea