If your acne has suddenly flared up or if it has refused to clear up despite stringent measures and astringent solutions, it may be that you may be exposed to some aggravating factors, albeit unknowingly.
The following is a list of 10 factors that can aggravate or worsen acne. Go through the list and determine the factors that may be worsening your acne.
1. Hormones
Acne often begins at puberty due to increased production of male sex hormones. This results in increased sebum production which contributes to clogging the pores.
Women who never had acne in their teenage years can also develop acne due to hormonal changes triggered by the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
In some situations, acne can be due to serious endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
2. Oral Contraceptive Pills
Some contraceptive pills are used to treat acne while others can worsen it. Some women develop clear skin while on the pills while others develop eruptions after stopping them due to hormonal changes.
3. Over-Washing the Skin
Compulsive washing of the face can aggravate acne as it may stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
4. Cosmetics
Applying oil rich skin products with pore clogging ingredients especially on the face can result in pomade acne or worsen pre-existing acne.
5. Medications
Prescription medications can also trigger or aggravate acne. Isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis), lithium (used to treat mania) and anabolic steroids are common causes of iatrogenic acne. If you develop acne or your acne worsens after starting on these or any other medications consult your doctor first before you stop taking them.
6. Iodides
Dietary iodides are excreted from the body through the oil glands and they may flare up acne.
7. Industrial Chemicals
Workers who handle machine oils, grease and coal tar derivatives are prone to developing occupational acne especially on parts of their body exposed to these industrial chemicals.
8. Mechanical Obstruction
People who wear motorcycle helmets or other helmets can develop acne due to the physical trauma and friction of the helmet straps on their skin. Stiff hard collars can also aggravate acne using the same mechanical mechanism.
9. Stress
Emotional stress can aggravate acne as the stress hormones released when one is stressed stimulate oil production.
10. Climate
Some climatic conditions can worsen acne in some people. For instance heat and humidity can aggravate acne in some people as they cause the stratum corneum (the top layer of the skin) to swell.
Adapted from Managing Acne Naturally by Dr Miriam Kinai. Click here for more info.
Top 10 Skincare Tips for Natural Acne Treatment
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Buy All About Acne from Amazon |
A superior skincare regimen is an important aspect of effective natural acne treatment. Therefore, incorporate the following 10 skincare tips into your daily regimen so that you can maintain clear skin permanently.
1. Use Correct Skincare Products
Use cleansers, toners, mask and moisturizers that are specially formulated for acne or oily skin types or combination skin types. When shopping, look for products containing natural acne treatment ingredients such as tea tree essential oil
, green tea, vitamins C and E. In addition, look for products labeled "noncomedogenic" which means they won’t clog your pores.2. Cleanse your Skin Well
To attain and maintain clear skin, wash your face and other affected areas twice a day to remove the oil, dirt and dust which contribute to clogging pores. Use a gentle, pH balanced cleanser and avoid harsh soaps which strip off the skin’s moisture. If possible, use handmade soaps such as natural tea tree soaps or those acne products that contain other natural acne treatment ingredients.
3. Use a Toner
Use toners formulated for acne prone skin
after washing to remove traces of oil that were not removed by the facial cleanser. Avoid toners that contain alcohol or acetone as these may dry the skin leading to more oiliness. 4. Treat your Skin
After cleansing and toning your skin, gently massage a natural acne treatment
into the zits for 5 minutes and let it penetrate completely. You can use acne products containing acne treating essential oils such as tea tree essential oil, lemon essential oil and lavender essential oil. 5. Moisturize your Skin
Use noncomedogenic, water based or oil free moisturizers
and moisturize twice a day after washing. Use a moisturizer that contains sun protection factors (SPF) during the day and one that contains natural acne treatment ingredients such as tea tree essential oil or lemon essential oil during the night. 6. Use a Mask
Apply a mask once a week to deeply cleanse the pores. Green clay masks and fullers earth masks are some of the the best acne products since they effectively draw out the oil and dirt from the pores without stripping the skin of its moisture.
7. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliate weekly by using specialized acne exfoliators
. Natural exfoliators
which contain natural fruit enzymes such as bromelain from pineapples and papain from papaya are good exfoliants as they remove the dead cells without irritating the skin. Avoid facial scrubs with large granules like ground apricot pits. 8. Use Sunscreen
Use a noncomedogenic sunscreen which offers broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection everyday. Aim for a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 and above to protect your skin and prevent hyperpigmentation or darkening especially of the post acne marks.
9. Do Not Squeeze Pimples
Do not pick or squeeze your pimples as this results in unsightly ice pick scars. Break this habit by using a comedone extractor or blackhead remover
. 10. Avoid Makeup
If you want to maintain clear skin but you must wear makeup, use water based, noncomedogenic formulations and wash it off each evening with an oil free makeup remover
since sleeping with makeup contributes to clogging pores. This article has been adapted from All About Acne.
Managing Acne Naturally
Managing Acne Naturally by Dr. Miriam Kinai teaches you effective natural acne treatment. Topics covered include:
1. Understanding your skin
2. What is acne?
3. What causes acne?
4. What worsens acne?
5. Long-term effects of acne
6. Good skin care habits
7. Dietary measures for managing acne
8. Nutritional Supplements beneficial for acne
9. Juice therapy for acne
10. Herbal medicine for acne
11. Aromatherapy for acne
12. Hydrotherapy for acne
13. Other natural remedies to manage acne
14. Physical exercise and acne
15. Stress Management for acne
16. Lifestyle modifications to manage acne
17. Back acne
18. Preventing acne
19. Understanding product labels
20. Burying acne myths
Price US $ 10.00
Book Excerpt
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (EO) for their healing benefits. Each EO has a unique scent and effect on the mind and body.
Though many EOs can be used safely in pregnancy, it is generally best to avoid using them unless using them under the supervision of a qualified aromatherapist. When applying them to your skin, remember to dilute them with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, coconut and jojoba.
Essential oils which are beneficial in the management of acne include:
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Is extracted from the tea tree leaves and has powerful antiseptic activity useful for killing bacteria and controlling blemishes. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
Is extracted from the lemon fruit peel and has antiseptic properties. Though non-toxic and non-irritant, it is slightly phototoxic and thus is best used at night for skin should not be exposed to the sun for 12 hours after its use.
3. Lavender Essential Oil
Is extracted from lavender flowers. It promotes skin regeneration and has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing and has a calming effect on the mind.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (EO) for their healing benefits. Each EO has a unique scent and effect on the mind and body.
Though many EOs can be used safely in pregnancy, it is generally best to avoid using them unless using them under the supervision of a qualified aromatherapist. When applying them to your skin, remember to dilute them with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, coconut and jojoba.
Essential oils which are beneficial in the management of acne include:
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Is extracted from the tea tree leaves and has powerful antiseptic activity useful for killing bacteria and controlling blemishes. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
Is extracted from the lemon fruit peel and has antiseptic properties. Though non-toxic and non-irritant, it is slightly phototoxic and thus is best used at night for skin should not be exposed to the sun for 12 hours after its use.
3. Lavender Essential Oil
Is extracted from lavender flowers. It promotes skin regeneration and has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing and has a calming effect on the mind.
Recipes
Always try one recipe at a time so that if you react, you can easily identify what you are reacting to and stop using it.
Before you apply the essential oils to your face, always conduct a patch test. Apply the product to a small area on your arm like the inner aspect of your elbow and leave it on for 24 hours to see if you will develop a reaction (e.g. a rash or irritation). If you don’t, then you can assume that you will not develop one after applying the product to your face.
Store your EO products in dark glass bottles as light, heat and air can affect them.
Finally, give the remedies 2-4 weeks before you declare them ineffective.
1. Tea Tree Mask
1 drop tea tree essential oil
1 teaspoon clay
5ml water
Mix and apply on affected areas. Rinse off with warm water.
2. Spot Treatment Solution
I drop tea tree essential oil
I drop lemon essential oil
I drop lavender essential oil
10ml jojoba oil or water
Shake thoroughly and apply it to the lesions
Always try one recipe at a time so that if you react, you can easily identify what you are reacting to and stop using it.
Before you apply the essential oils to your face, always conduct a patch test. Apply the product to a small area on your arm like the inner aspect of your elbow and leave it on for 24 hours to see if you will develop a reaction (e.g. a rash or irritation). If you don’t, then you can assume that you will not develop one after applying the product to your face.
Store your EO products in dark glass bottles as light, heat and air can affect them.
Finally, give the remedies 2-4 weeks before you declare them ineffective.
1. Tea Tree Mask
1 drop tea tree essential oil
1 teaspoon clay
5ml water
Mix and apply on affected areas. Rinse off with warm water.
2. Spot Treatment Solution
I drop tea tree essential oil
I drop lemon essential oil
I drop lavender essential oil
10ml jojoba oil or water
Shake thoroughly and apply it to the lesions
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