Preventing Blemished Skin & Acne (simple tips)

Charcoal soap is good for blemished skin

Acne is simply when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. And this in time can lead to pimples, blackheads or more severe cysts. Genetics sometimes plays a role. more common is foods high in sugar and dairy, which often can trigger acne in some people

If acne is painful, or leaving scars, see a GP or dermatologist.

• Eat healthy nutritious food. Learn to cook a few plant-based recipes! 
• Get at least 150 minutes of weekly exercise and quality sleep (to reduce stress hormones).
• Stay hydrated. Six to eight glasses of water a day is a good aim for most people. Drink two glasses before each main meal, to easily achieve this.
• 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.
• Cleanse skin using charcoal soap and use a charcoal oil-absorbing face mask once or twice a week.
• Green People OY! Foaming Cleanser is for teen and oily skin, with green tea, tea tree oil, willow bark and witch hazel (not in strengths to irritate skin). The sugar-cane tubes are easily recycled.

Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing (avoid shea butter for latex allergies). Keep essential oils away from children and pets. Wash skin before letting pets kiss you, if using cocoa butter or zinc oxide in sun protection creams). 

Dr.Vegan Healthy Skin Saviour Supplement

Dr.Vegan Skin Saviour is a quality supplement, the first order is sold in a refillable metal tin. You then just order refills in eco-friendly pouches after that, to save on waste and save money. Subscribe online for big savings, once you have the first order with the tin.

Designed to build natural collagen and support healthy glowing skin, this contains 5 billion cultures and can also help to prevent blemishes. Also contains vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and hyaluronic acid. 80% of people find it effective.

Always check with your GP before taking supplements if on medication (also for women if pregnant or nursing). Keep them away from children and pets, and recycle unused supplements and medicines at pharmacies (never flush them down the loo).

When to expect improvements

• 3 weeks (less hormonal breakouts, better skin elasticity)
• 1 month (softer plumper skin, better digestion)
• 2 months (less blemishes/redness, better hair/nails)

Feel Multivitamin Supplement 

Feel Multivitamin is another quality alternative supplement, formulated by experts, and sold in zero waste sustainable packaging. All their products are vegan and not tested on animals.

Use code partner20 for 20% discount (not bundles or subscriptions). If you subscribe, sign up for an account to earn discount rewards.

It includes 32 quality well-absorbed ingredients, with results in 90 days. You can open the capsules to sprinkle on food and drink if wished (not on hot liquids, this would damage nutrients). Includes vitamins and minerals in potent forms, including for skin, hair and nails.

When to expect improvements?

• 1 month (more energy and focus, plus better hair, skin and nails due to selenium, zinc and biotin)
• 3 months (increase in body serum levels of essential minerals for stronger nails, healthier hair and skin, and better immunity)
• 1 year (optimal nutritional status, with more energy and focus, and noticeable difference in hair, skin and nails)

Join the transparent label campaign

The Transparent Label Campaign is a worldwide movement set up by US supplement company Terraseed, to demand that supplement companies list full ingredients, so people can avoid ones with gelatine, fish, collagen, creatine and magnesium stearate (mostly in vitamin D and omega 3 supplements – which cause the death of 24 billion creatures each year).

Also boycott krill supplements (you can easily get omega 3 fatty acids from nuts, seeds or algae supplements). Krill is an important food for whales, seals, penguins and fish, and removal causes by-catch of other creatures.

Neal’s Yard Organic Rosehip Oil (to reduce scars)

Neals Yard rosehip oil is an organic way to help reduce  hyperpigmentation and scarring with vitamin E. Just a few drops needed to give 250 uses per bottle used two times daily.

Scars are the skin’s natural way of healing from injuries, but sometimes you may end up with hypertrophic scars, which sit above the skin, or keloid scars, which grow and spread.

Atrophic scars, on the other hand leave a sunken look (like acne scars). Others may have scars from injury or surgery. Simple ageing can also lead to age or liver spots (flat brown spots that tend to show up mostly on sun-exposed areas like the face and hands).

A dark mark after acne, a scrape, or a rash isn’t always a scar. Sometimes it’s skin pigmentation, which means the skin has changed colour but not shape. That difference matters, because the best natural care for a flat brown mark won’t be the same as care for a raised scar.

Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing (and avoid shea butter for latex allergies). Keep essential oils away from children and pets. 

Preventative measures for scars

Quick action can prevent lasting marks. Apply a wild rose balm or wild rose beauty serum to areas where skin feels tender or looks red. These products help calm skin, reduce inflammation, and support quick healing. They create a healthy environment so spots and scrapes don’t become scars.

Any dermatologist will tell you that the best way to prevent age spots is to keep out of strong sun and use a good natural sunscreen.

Most natural sunscreens contain zinc oxide, so wash off before letting pets kiss you. Same with cosmetics and deodorants.

Eating foods high in antioxidants also helps (fresh fruits and veggies). Gentle exfoliation also helps to buff away dead skin cells, but only do this once or twice a week. Also remove dirt, sweat and make-up with a mild cleanser.

Difference between scars & pigmentation

Pigmentation changes the colour of the skin. It often shows up as brown, red, purple, or grey marks after spots, bites, cuts, or irritation. In many cases, the skin feels flat, even though the colour lingers.

Scars are different because they change the skin’s texture or shape. A scar may look indented, thick, shiny, raised, or uneven. Acne can leave small pits. Cuts can leave a firm line. Some people have both problems at once, which is why one mark can look dark and feel rough.

If the mark is flat, you may be dealing mostly with pigment. If it feels raised or sunken, scar care matters more.

When a mark needs medical advice

Some marks fade on their own with time and gentle care. However, a few signs mean it’s better to stop home treatment and get advice.

Pain, heat, swelling, pus, or a bad smell can point to infection. A thick raised scar that keeps growing may be a keloid or another overgrown scar type. Also, if itching won’t stop, or a mark changes fast in colour or shape, don’t leave it to chance. See your GP.