Acne can be difficult to deal with, no matter your age or gender. Many with the condition often not only battle with confidence and are often in pain, but they also have to endure testing, the side effects of medications and chemical creams, and of course, scarring.

As a health professional who works with a team of wellbeing experts whose primary focus is on holistic health, I am passionate about educating people about cause and effect. My DIY Vitamin A skin-boosting mask recipe below is one of my favourites, and I am thrilled to be sharing it.

Many of us aren’t aware that many skin conditions, from acne to eczema and psoriasis are often linked to poor liver function.

Treating acne from the inside out is vital to your healing journey; our skin is often the first place to show the effects of an under-functioning liver.

Liver health and acne

When your liver is not functioning at its best, it has difficulty eliminating wastes and toxins from the body. So instead, it pushes the toxins out through the skin, resulting in pimples and acne.

For those who don’t know our liver is vital for:

• Synthesising and making bile, which is essential for breaking down fats,
• Supporting other digestive functions and removing waste from the blood
• Filtrating and detoxifying all the blood from the stomach and intestines
• Regulating glucose production and conversions
• Ensuring healthy cholesterol metabolism and utilisation/excretion
• Storing iron and helping to regulate healthy iron levels and haemoglobin
• Excreting urea, a by-product of protein metabolism which is toxic to humans
• Detoxifying the blood especially from drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and internal/external toxins
• Storing copper, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin A
• Converting Vitamin D from cholecalciferol to a more active 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
• Regulating immunity and communicates with gut environment/bacteria
• Metabolising oestrogens, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and thyroid hormones

Research underscores the importance of healthy digestion, efficient nutrient metabolism, and effective detoxification for achieving and maintaining clear, radiant skin. These fundamental mechanisms are key to unlocking the inner glow we all aspire to.

In this pursuit, optimal liver function plays a pivotal role. Considering the use of a high-quality liver tonic can be a valuable step forward, as it contributes to detoxification, aids digestion, and regulates hormone balance—crucial factors for overall well-being and skin health. It’s essential to conduct thorough research to select a liver tonic that aligns with your specific needs.

While various liver tonics are available, Happy Healthy You’s Happy Liver tonic stands out as a popular option. This proprietary blend, formulated by the company’s co-founder, Jeff Butterworth, has garnered recognition for its efficacy in supporting liver detoxification, digestion, and hormone metabolism, ultimately promoting healthy skin. It’s a product worth considering as part of your holistic approach to well-being.

Vitamin A skin-boosting mask recipe

With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many Australians, it’s worth noting that you don’t need a 10-step skincare routine that costs a bomb to see results!

It really starts with looking after yourself inside and outside. You don’t have to spend a fortune and skimp out on skincare, investing in yourself will pay dividends, and you don’t need to look much further than your own kitchen.

Check out my easy at-home anti-acne mask that is gentle, nourishing, and easy to whip together for easy glowing skin.

Ingredients (makes 2):

• 2 tbsp. pumpkin (cooked, cooled, and mashed)
• 2 tsp. grated ginger or ginger juice (skin removed)
• 2 tsp. jojoba oil
• 2 tsp. honey
• 4 tbsp. mature unripe papaya flesh (skinned, dice and mashed), with option to also use ripe papaya depending on what you’re wanting to achieve.

It’s time to mask up!

1. Add your papaya flesh, cooled pumpkin, and grated ginger into the food processor or blender.
2. Blend until a smooth texture is achieved.
3. Add in the jojoba oil and honey. Stir well.
4. Cleanse your face and apply the mask evenly.
5. Lay down and relax for 10 – 15 minutes.
6. Remove the mask with water and a clean face cloth.

Achieving clear and healthy skin is a goal that we all aspire to, and it’s a goal that is particularly important given the prevalence of skin conditions like acne among Australians. The journey to clear skin goes beyond superficial treatments and creams, as it is deeply connected to our overall health, particularly the function of our liver.

Understanding the link between liver health and skin conditions can be a game-changer in our pursuit of radiant skin. As this article has highlighted, our liver plays a pivotal role in detoxification, digestion, and hormone regulation, all of which impact the quality of our skin.

Alongside holistic approaches like my DIY Vitamin A skin-boosting mask can be a cost-effective and nourishing way to care for our skin from the inside out. By recognising the importance of internal well-being and embracing natural remedies, we can take proactive steps toward achieving the clear, glowing skin we all desire. So, let’s remember that our skin is a reflection of our overall health, and by prioritising our well-being, we can enjoy the benefits of a vibrant complexion.