Tara Skye Goldin, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Boulder, Colorado, tells Yoga Journal the skin is essentially a window into your internal health. It’s the largest organ of the body and reflects what is happening internally. So, whatever you put into your body is definitely going to show. Processed foods are one such example: Unclear skin – plagued by pimples, rashes, or a dull look – can occur from eating processed foods, which overburden the liver, Goldin explains. As a result, the liver, intestines, and kidneys need the skin’s help in elimination and hence the condition of your not-so-clear face. Consequently, it’s crucial to cut out processed foods!

Many see sweating as a good thing to eliminate the bad stuff from your body. Goldin explains, “body toxins are expelled through the sweat glands, so I encourage patients to sweat often—preferably by exercising, but saunas and steam rooms are also great ways to achieve skin cleansing.”

Yoga is known for its health and wellness benefits. Cyndi Lee, founder of New York City’s Om Yoga, tells FITNESS magazine, “Yogic breathing has been shown to oxygenate the cells, ridding them of toxins, helping prevent illness, and making skin radiant.” Yoga works to improve both the inside and outside she explains: “Yoga is like wringing your body out like a washcloth; it's one of the best ways to keep things moving.” Also like many exercises, yoga is a great stress reducer. Some say the skin can reveal the turbulence going on inside, so if you’re feeling stressed, it’ll show through to your appearance and on your skin. Whether stress is a cause of acne or exacerbates the condition still hasn’t been confirmed by research, but it certainly plays a role. Eva. M. Herriott, Ph.D - writer and psychologist specializing in mind-body health – discusses in Yoga Journal, the importance of yoga practice to reduce stress. She explains, “Yoga postures induce deep relaxation, helping you to prevent fatigue and strain. Deep breathing normalizes blood pressure and helps release tension-related conditions such as headaches, backaches, sleeplessness, and stomachaches.”

According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone - dermatologist and author – better skin (and better health!) is only a diet away. You are what you eat, and your skin shows it. He recommends eating healthy fats, such as Brazil nuts, olive oil, flaxseed and omega 3 fatty acids, which can be found in salmon or other fatty fish (e.g., halibut, shellfish, and trout) and can clear toxins from the body. Agrees Ann Yelmokas McDermott, PhD, a nutritionist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, who tells WebMD, “essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes, which is not only what act as barriers to harmful things but also as the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell.” What does this mean for our skin? If we have strong barriers, that means we hold moisture more effectively and that equals a healthy youthful complexion.

Dr. Perricone also views sugar as a major adversary in the fight for beautiful skin. He claims that sugar contributes to saggy skin, so the key to beautiful skin, he says, is in controlling your glucose and insulin levels. This means cutting out high glycemic foods, like pizza, breads, pasta, soda, granola, and alcohol, among others.

Not all fruits are created equal according to Dr. Perricone. He recommends eating cherries, apples, and any kind of berries. Say no to grapes, oranges, papayas, and watermelon. Others see all fruit as vital for beautiful skin. Sonya Bass, CH, a herbalist with 20 years of experience, talks about the benefits of watermelon with its long list of antioxidants like lycopene, vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, and calcium. She even suggests making a watermelon mask by mashing up two cups of the fruit and putting it on your face. Then rinse and voila…Bass says, you get a “natural facelift.” She also talks about other fruit that are full of antioxidants like oranges and papaya – which she refers to as a “fruit powerhouse.” On a side note, though Dr. Perricone has many satisfied customers and a celebrity following, there are many critics who say his diet regimen is too strict, too costly, and lacking in hard facts. Much of the research - which Dr. Perricone has conducted himself – has yet to be substantiated and examined by other experts. And his diet isn’t exactly USDA friendly. It goes against many of the principles of the food pyramid, such as cutting out the fruit above (he also recommends eliminating certain veggies like carrots, pumpkin, peas, and corn).

Only one study compared topical treatments with tea tree oil and benzoyl peroxide. Though more research is still needed, tea tree oil did have fewer side effects – it was gentler than benzoyl peroxide - but took longer to take effect.

Some remedies for treating acne are Belladonna, Calendula, Hepar sulphur, Kali bromatum, and silicea. Little research exists on the effectiveness of these alternative treatments, though some swear by them. All and all, there are many theories and natural treatments out there, just make sure to distinguish the good from the quacks.

Try the following products for your acne issues: Murad Acne Spot Treatment reduces redness and clears up blemishes. With vitamins C and E, this treatment protects skin from irritation and flaking, unlike other abrasive remedies. SkinMedica Acne Toner , which is rich in antioxidants and botanicals, helps reduce irritated skin and control breakouts. It also works to maintain the skin’s natural pH balance. MD Skincare’s Auto Balancing Moisture with SPF 10 is a moisturizer that adjusts to your skin type and tone, and also includes vitamins C and E.