M.B.
K.,
Be very careful! What I thought was 'acne' was extremely dry skin! I used witch hazel, which left me with really clean skin. So clean it, it wiped out all the natural oils that protected my face and I got something else on top of it. UGH!
My first reaction to your question was AUGH! it's not acne. : ) Treat yourself to at least 64 oz of water per day - and if you are in a hotter climate, try drinking 4 oz every 1/2 hour or so. Do that for a day (pain, I know) set a timer, etc, and just do it.
If you have true acne, see a dermo if you can. Be VERY careful, because not all doctors are 'up' on what you can and cannot use (I found not all of them 'think' in terms of pregnancy). La Leche League is a very good resource for what you can and cannot use (even topically) during pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding. There's a website and an 800 # you can call. Just make sure you get an answer before you buy/take any meds.
Good luck,
M.
Reading back - you have a lot of good info here, too. Not ALL of it is bunk, though! I just included the stuff I figured you'd know about. I am looking up
The China Study by T Colin Campbell
as we speak.
May I suggest to the person who talked about that book :
Weston A Price . org - RATHER a good site to get acquainted with foods and their natural ability to prevent stuff like this (and a lot of things) from happening.
I trust doctors only so far. I trust MY doctor much more because, while she is not a naturopath, she IS open-minded to more natural remedies that don't cause problems on top of problems you are already trying to mitigate.
I almost forgot - I am using Weleda Calendula ointment (it is vaseline-free, and all-natural and it is helping my skin close itself over the dryness that has yet again opened it. Hopefully before I get infected with something!