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Controlling Acne |
by:
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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