We already know that seaweed toast is more effective than a workout in the gym due to its fat-burning abilities and it looks like scientists have discovered another health benefit of the slimy green stuff – it could help banish acne.

Seaweed joins thyme as being an effective, natural treatment for stubborn spots, having been hailed as the latest skin remedy after a report published in the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology discovered that it reduces spot growth by 64%.

A brown seaweed-infused face wash containing an active compound called Phycosaccharide ACP was tested on 60 young male participants with mild acne for two months.

After the study had completed, over half of participants reported a significant reduction in inflammatory spots and comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) in just eight weeks.

Find out how to feed your skin with these complexion-boosting foods...

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• Pomegranate

  "Pomegranate contains many anti-oxidant and phytonutrient compounds such as Ellagic Acid, that help keep inflammation in check and support the skin during the many elements of the day, such as heating and cold air, as well as environmental toxins," explains Robyn Mason.

• Blueberries

  "Blueberries are one of the most powerful edible antioxidants thanks to its unique anthocyanains. These build up the skin's capillaries and protect them from breakages, which cause rashes and broken veins," says Dr Barbara Olioso.

• Carrots

  "These cheerful, crunchy vegetables are sky-high in beta carotene, which strengthens the skin against sun damage," says Dr Barbara Olioso.

• Artichoke

  "Artichokes contain sillymarin and cynarin, whcih both help support the liver and gallbladder. This ensures skin doesn't turn dull and lifeless, as it gets rid of the toxins and waste from the body which also minimises puffiness," advises Robyn Mason

• Prickly Pear

  "These are Sicily's best kept secret... The prickly pear is a great tonic for the kidneys with its kidney detoxifying properties that help keep skin clear and glowing," says Dr Barbara Olioso.

• Bananas

  "Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps the body cope with stress, a collagen killer. This fruit will help your skin avoid stress-related break-outs and premature ageing," says Dr Barbara Olioso.

• Broccoli

  "Broccoli contains a compound that helps boost DNA repair cells and is high in vitamin C, which is needed for collagen production, as well as folate, which is needed for healthy new cell production. Broccoli is also a great source of Sulforaphane, which helps heal the skin from UV rays," says Robyn Mason.

• Tomato

  "Tomatoes, especially beneficial when cooked, are rich in Lycopene, which is a key anti-ageing property for the skin, so eat these whenever possible," advises Louise Thomas-Minns.

• Coconut

  "Coconut contains triglycerides, which are healthy fats that plump up skin membranes and cells by keeping them hydrated. Without these fats, the skin becomes dehydrated no matter how much water you drink. Adequate essential fatty acids really do make the skin glow," says Robyn Mason.

• Garlic

  "Garlic is rich in sulphur compounds and is known as the 'beauty mineral' due to its long established benefits for all kinds of skin concerns. Onions and garlic are also prebiotic foods which are good for the gut flora and supports liver detoxification - helping skin stay clear of toxin break-outs," says Robyn Mason.

• Kiwi

  "Snack on a kiwi fruit to bump up your vitamin C intake, as this is vital for boosting collagen production," says Louise Thomas-Minns.

• Strawberries

  "The fruit of passion is a rich source of vitamin C, a great collagen production booster. Combine these with carrots and you've got yourself a potent, but natural defence against the sun's UV rays," advises Dr Barbara Olioso.

• Kale

  "Kale is one of the best sources of beta-carotene, a fantastic anti-ageing anti-oxidant. In addition, it also contains other carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxathin, which help protect the skin from UV rays. Kale also contains manganese, which is helps the Super-Oxide Dismutase, a hard-working enzyme that helps the skin fight against free radical damage," says Robyn Mason.

• Avocado

  "The green 'butter rich' avocado is rich in nutrients and helps keep skin soothe and soft on the outside. However, these are best eaten fresh rather than in an oil form, as the oil is prone to oxidation," explains Dr. Dr Barbara Olioso.

• Pineapple

  "Pineapples not only taste great, but they contain a massive amount of vitamin A, C and the bromelain enzyme, which helps burn fat and aids digestion. For the skin, this means that it helps break down fatty tissues and is particularly beneficial for reducing cellulite," says Dr Barbara Olioso.

Brown seaweed – also known as ‘Laminaria digitata’ – is commonly found in Brittany, France. Scientists believe that brown seaweed has the ability to kill acne bacterium within one to 15 minutes of being rubbed on the skin.

More than four in five teenagers get some form of acne. It's much less common in later life. However, about one in 20 women and one in 100 men aged 25 to 40 continue to be affected by acne, or develop it at this age (late-onset acne).

Acne starts to develop when hair follicles in your skin become blocked with the natural oil produced by your skin (known as sebum) and dead skin cells. It can also be caused by an influx of testosterone hormones, which increases the production of sebum in the skin.

Find out what your spots reveal about your inner health...

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• Cheeks

  According to Chinese medicine, spots that appear on your right cheek could be linked to your lungs. If you suffer from asthma or if you're a smoker, you're more prone to small capillaries breaking under the skin causing a breakout. They can also be caused by respiratory illnesses like flu. While the right cheek is linked to problems with the lungs, acne on the left cheek could signal problems of the gallbladder. If you get spots around your lower cheek, this could possibly be down to poor dental health with the inside of your mouth.

• Ears

  If you get spot on your ears, this could be your kidneys way of sending a red alert to your body. Breakouts around the ear (or sometimes, inside the ear), mean that your body needs more water. It could also be down to a high level of caffeine and salt in your blood.

• Back

  If you have spots on your back, it could be caused by lack of hygiene, especially if you sweat a lot. The skin is an organ of detoxification that gets rid of a lot of waste materials, particularly when sweating, so if you're not washing straight away the follicles can get blocked up and consequently causes spots.

• Chest

  Spots usually appear on the chest area when excess oils have been produced. This can be linked to rapid hormonal changes in the body, poor hygiene, washing powder (as this could irritate your chest area), as well as stress.

• Arms

  If your skin feels coarse and bumpy with little spots, you may have something called <a href="http://www.keratosispilaris.org/" target="_hplink">Keratosis Pilaris</a>. This is usually caused by an overproduction of dead cells at the hair follicle, as well as poor circulation. It could also be a sign that your body isn't using the vitamins from your diet efficiently.

• Forehead

  If you have a breakout of spots across your forehead, this could be a signal that your digestion is in a poor state. This could be anything from a toxin build-up, to your small intestine struggling to break-down food. Having a spotty forehead could also be your body's way of trying to tell you that you need to drink more water (particularly needed to flush out the toxins), so increase your water intake and steer clear of heat-dispelling and junk food.

• Chin

  Spots that appear on either side of the chin or on the upper lip, could be linked to your menstrual cycle. According to the experts, you can even predict which ovary you are ovulating from according to which side of your chin your spot appears on. Spots on the upper and centre of the chin can be linked back to the small intestine. These usually occur as a result of eating too many fatty foods, and sometimes food allergies can trigger them off.

• Eyebrows

  If spots appear in your eyebrows, or on your temples, this could link to your adrenal glands, which sit on the top of your kidneys and can distress the skin when aggravated. Stress is a major factor that triggers these glands off, so try and reduce your stress levels to clear the problem area. The adrenal glands are also linked to spot outbreaks on the neck area too. Another signal from your body when a spot develops around your eyebrow area could be down to an overactive liver. This occurs when food is eaten late at night, especially foods that are rich.