Clear Up your Acne Naturally with Maca

Do you struggle with acne?

There are 4 main factors that cause acne:

• Excess oil production
• Hair follicles getting clogged dead skin cells and oil
• Bacteria
• Hormones (androgens)

For acne that’s caused by excess hormone production, regulating your hormones can help to prevent the development of acne at its core. I’ve been struggling with hormonal acne since my teens. It was better for some time but then it got particularly bad again about 5 years ago. Luckily, when I started on my green smoothie journey, I discovered maca and that changed everything.

Maca for Hormonal Acne

Maca, a root that’s similar to ginseng, is great for regulating your hormones. This includes mood, menstrual problems, fertility, and sexual function. If you have any physical symptoms from hormonal imbalances, like acne, it can help with that too. It’s also known to help with energy levels so if you’re prone to the 3pm “crash”, maca powdeer could be a great option for you. It’s also good for memory.

Maca is available in a variety of different forms. I like to take the powder in my morning smoothie, but if capsules are more convenient for you, that’s also a great option.

Maca in Smoothies

I take anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of maca every morning in my smoothie. It depends on how I’m feeling. When you’re first trying it out, you might want to start with just a teaspoon and see how you feel. If you aren’t used to it, at first it might affect you as a bit of a stimulant, like coffee, and give you more energy than you’re looking for. Start with a small amount and then increase the amount gradually. It’s not advisable to take more than a couple of tablespoons a day.

More Maca Benefits

There are additional benefits to maca. It’s is rich in antioxidants, helping to slow down and correct the signs of ageing. It’s also got cancer-fighting properties. Maca root powder contains a whole slew of vitamins and minerals; C, B, calcium, potassium, phosphorus.

Other Acne Tips

For other kinds of acne, make sure to clean your skin with a gentle cleanser and to gently exfoliate every 2-3 days. Once your skin is clean, apple cider vinegar makes a wonderful toner. Use a cotton ball to smooth the ACV over your skin. Drinking lots of water is always a good idea too. It may also be worth doing an elimination diet to see if there is a particular food that’s triggering your break outs.

Have you used maca to help clear your skin? I’d love to hear about it!