Almost everyone has suffered from acne at one time or another in his or her life. It is primarily a disorder of the sebaceous gland (glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face, the neck and back. When the sebaceous glands become clogged with the oily substance they create, the accumulation results in pimples. There are several forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris, found primarily in adolescents. The exact cause of acne is not known, but factors that contribute to this condition include heredity, oily skin and androgens. Additional factors include allergies, stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants, cosmetics and the monthly menstrual cycle. In addition, the skin functions to eliminate a portion of the body's toxic waste by sweating. If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys or liver can effectively discharge, the skin takes over. In fact, some doctors call the skin the third kidney. As toxins escape through the skin, they can disrupt the health and integrity of the skin, creating issues. Recommendations for Wellness Note: Some of these recommendations may take 2-4 weeks before any results or improvements are experienced. Apply distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if too strong) to the face and affected areas. Allow this to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water. Lemon or any citric fruit works great as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that may clog the pores. As with the white vinegar, apply the juice of a lemon (or desired citric juice) to the face. Allow it to dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. You may feel a mild sting or burn when the lemon juice is applied. If so, diluting the juice is acceptable. Increase water consumption. Water helps flush toxins out and helps transport nutrients in the body. Eat a properly balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition. Take a high-quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement to make up for nutrients missing in today's foods. Echinacea or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system and fight acne-causing bacteria. Dandelion, Burdock or red clover can help to keep the liver clear of toxic overload. Herbal combinations such as Natures Sunshine's Ayurvedic Skin Detox, and BP-X can also be used to cleanse and detoxify the liver and reduce acne. Large quantities of vitamin A have been successfully used to treat severe acne. Large amounts, however, can be toxic and should only be used when working with your health care provider. Consider adding additional zinc to your diet. Zinc aids in the healing of tissues and assists in preventing scarring. It is also important for the body in resisting infection and inflammation. To clear and heal the skin, try a homeopathic acne remedy. It can help to dry up pimples and prevent future outbreaks.