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Controlling Acne
Lori Stryker
Controlling Acne
Acne... it affects a majority of teenagers and many adults well into
middle age. It is dreaded and despaired over by many who suffer from
this common skin condition. Clearing acne begins by understanding what
acne really is and what triggers it. Then we will consider how it can
be controlled by lifestyle choices, skin care choices and wise use of
make-up.
Who suffers from it?
Teenagers struggle with acne, but so do many adults. Acne breakouts
can result from fluctuating hormone levels at various stages of life,
such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Outwardly, acne can reveal
internal signs, such as poor elimination or buildup of toxins, a lack
of exercise or high stress levels. Both men and women contend with acne,
and as good health and beauty are intertwined, the causes of acne can
reveal the solutions to managing and reducing skin breakouts.
What is it?
Acne occurs when the oil glands produce excess sebum, the skin's own
oil, which accumulates with dead skin cells to form a plug which results
in a clogged skin pore. Bacteria trapped inside the pore feed of the
sebum mixture, multiplying and producing agents which irritate the walls
of the pore. As the immune system works to attack the bacteria, pus
is formed leading to an inflamed pimple, blackhead or whitehead. Picking
or squeezing a pimple can cause the pore to rupture, releasing the bacteria
into the surrounding area, and can cause more pimples, cysts or scars.
For many, certain areas of the skin have overactive sebaceous, or oil
glands which produce excess sebum. These areas are typically the forehead,
nose, cheeks and/or chin. Comedones, or blackheads, are not caused by
dirt, but rather by sebum which has clogged a pore, oxidized and discoloured
by melanin.
What triggers it?
Often a spotty complexion denotes a diet high in sugar or saturated
fats found in fried foods, refined or processed foods. Conversely, a
diet low in fat may lack essential fatty acids, and can also affect
the appearance of the skin. Breakouts can reveal toxin buildup, resulting
from constipation, kidney or lymphatic problems. Other triggers include
a polluted, dry environment, and seasonal climate changes. Genetics
also determines whether a person will be predisposed to acne breakouts.
In general, acne is caused by a combination of four main factors:
- Genetics
- Skin Care
- Lifestyle
- Emotional State
We cannot change our genetics, but we can change the other three factors
to help reduce the likelihood of acne breakouts.
How can acne be controlled?
Skin needs to be cleansed, fed and nurtured. Externally, the skin benefits
from a simple regimen:
- Cleansing with a mild, slightly acidic and all natural soap. Other
kinds of soaps can cause redness, soreness, irritation or tightness
because of the harsh chemicals, colorants detergents and fragrances
they are made with. Avoid any products which contain ingredients which
may irritate or dry out the skin. Most often culpable ingredients are
petroleum derived, synthetic or animal based.
- Tone with an alcohol-free, all natural toner, since alcohol is drying
to the skin and will cause the oil glands to produce more sebum. Toner
also helps reduce the bacterial population on the skin, decreasing the
number of bacteria which will migrate into the pores.
- Moisturize with a petroleum free cream. Petroleum is comedogenic and
can clog pores unnecessarily. Creams which contain natural waxes such
as beeswax do not have a comedogenic effect on the pores. At night,
massage a facial oil into the skin as this helps increase circulation
to the surface of the skin and suppresses the oil glands from producing
excess oil.
- Once per week, use a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells which
accumulate at the surface of the pores and lead to blackheads. A mud
mask used once every couple of weeks also helps draw out sebum in the
pores as the clays present in the mask are highly absorbent.
Internally, the skin is fed and cleansed by a diet rich in fresh fruits,
whole grains and vegetables. These foods provide more water, nutrients
and fibre into the diet and can make a remarkable difference in the
appearance of the skin. Relaxation, adequate sleep, exercise and stress
reduction also play an important role in keeping the skin clear and
healthy as they assist the body to repair and detoxify itself.
Seasonal or climate changes, such as winter and humid summers in addition
to dry, polluted environments also contribute to acne breakouts by drying
out or irritating the skin. As the skin is exposed to dry temperatures
moisture is lost through the skin, triggering the oil glands to produce
more sebum. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is essential to preventing
the pores from becoming clogged with excess sebum. In humid conditions,
the skin loses moisture through sweat and evaporation, triggering the
same process which can lead to breakouts. Moisturizing and regular cleansing
in dry, humid or polluted conditions can reduce the onset of acne.
Makeup can also trigger breakouts. If they contain comedogenic ingredients,
such as those derived from petroleum, they may contribute to acne despite
a clean and healthy skin regimen or lifestyle. Choose all natural makeup
which is in harmony with the rest of your skin care regimen and less
likely to contribute to breakouts.
Acne treatments which contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide worsen
acne, as these are skin irritants and very drying. Tea tree essential
oil is a natural alternative, and works by sterilizing the infected
area upon contact without damaging the surrounding skin cells. It can
also prevent microbial growth in that area for hours. Other treatments
for acne include hydrocortisone which thins the skin over time, or antibiotics
which can contribute to microbial resistance in the long term. Hormone
treatments work by decreasing testosterone levels in the body, since
this is the hormone responsible for sebum production. There are natural
alternatives to aid in controlling acne, such as tea tree, lemon and
juniper berry essential oils. These are effective and much safer to
use for treating acne.
Acne can be a source of frustration for many. Much can be done, however
to minimize the occurrence of breakouts thereby reducing the impact
of acne on our lives. Making healthy adjustments to our diet, lifestyle
and skin care product choices can lead to clearer, more radiant and
healthy skin, free at last from acne.
References:
- Erikson, K, (2002). Drop Dead Gorgeous
- Marsden, K, (1993). Super Skin
- Purvis, D, (1989). The Business of Beauty
- The Organic Makeup Company can be located at http://www.organicmakeupcompany.com
About the Author
Lori Stryker has been researching
and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of
offering men and women safe natural cosmetics for everyday use. She
brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University
of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an
education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical
and biological knowledge with food family and textile sciences.
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