Facial acne is a frustration that most teenagers are familiar with, though it can also affect older adults and pregnant women. And if it’s severe, can sometimes leave scarring. Acne is not caused by not washing the face, it’s usually due to hormonal causes.
In most cases, it goes away of its own accord, so don’t rush for steroid creams or dodgy medicines right away. While store shelves are packed with harsh ‘solutions’ that rarely work, in fact in most cases, a few simple changes can do the trick within weeks.
Understanding Acne and Its Causes
Acne is simply a skin condition where hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This leads to pimples and blackheads, and in more severe forms, cysts. Hormonal fluctuations can cause the skin to produce more oil, hence more acne.
Genetics sometimes plays a role. more common is foods high in sugar and dairy, which often can trigger acne in some people
Let Dr Pimple Popper (a dermatologist) show you the safe way to pop a pimple, if you just have to! Doing it the wrong way could make things worse, and cause lifelong scarring.
Preventive Measures for Acne-Prone Skin
- Cleanse skin thoroughly using a good charcoal-based soap and use charcoal oil-absorbing face mask once or twice a week.
- Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions. Just use basic charcoal-based products without scent.
- Drink plenty of water and eat plant-based foods.
- Keep relaxed (meditation, yoga, prayer, walking, swimming) and up your exercise to both strengthen immunity and stop obsessing about acne that usually will go in time on its own.
Natural Soaps to Help Prevent Acne
Kleen activated charcoal & kaolin clay ‘soap-on-a-rope’ is made with ingredients ideal to clear congested skin, along with essential oils of bergamot, cedarwood and ajowan (similar to thyme).
Like any kind of holistic medicine, be careful of natural ‘miracle cures’. Most of them don’t work and some could do more harm than good:
- Aloe vera won’t harm, but it likely won’t help other.
- Apple cider vinegar is way too harsh for skin, as is witchhazel.
- Green tea won’t work either.
- Tea tree oil is (on its own) is too harsh for skin’s natural PH
- Turmeric won’t work and may stain your skin
The best solution is to simply use a very mild oil-cleansing soap or cleanser, and stay off moisturisers, or at lease use an oil-free version. Wash face cloths frequently, don’t pick at spots, and drink lots of water. Some people find giving up dairy and sugar helps, so give that a try.
Look in health stores for Oliva soap. This is a big chunky bar of soap made only with olive oil, salt and water. It’s not pretty (and dirt cheap) but it works a treat, many people with severe skin problems find this helps.
If you prefer something with a bit of scent, Coraline Skincare’s Minty Soap contains activated charcoal, and you can use alongside the calming facial tonic to absorb excess oils through the day.
Foaming Cleansers to Help Prevent Acne
Green People OY! Foaming Cleanser is designed for teens, but can be used by anyone. It’s organic and vegan, and specifically designed to cleanse acne-prone skin, without harm. It’s made with green tea, tea tree oil, willow bark and witch hazel (but not in strengths to irritate skin).
The packaging is also made from sugar-cane, so easily recycled after use. Scented with mandarin, bergamot and clary sage. Use with the matching organic blemish concealer.
