Natural Skin Care for Acne

Nearly all adolescents experience some form of acne during the teenage years, and it's estimated that as many as half of all adults ages 20-40 suffer from this persistent skin condition.

The cycle of events that leads to acne blemishes starts when the sebaceous glands-which are found at the bottom of the hair follicles on the surface of the skin-produce an excess of sebum. This natural skin oil normally travels up the hair follicle and spreads on the skin's surface.

In some cases, the result is merely oily skin. However, in acne troubled skin, this excess sebum becomes degraded by the microorganisms that are always present on the surface of the skin. As the sebum degrades, the chemical byproducts can cause excess sloughing off of skin cells lining the hair follicle. Together, the degraded sebum and shed skin cells can create a plug, or comedo, at the opening of the hair follicle, or pore.

If the plug doesn't completely block the pore, the top surface of the comedo becomes darkened by a natural skin pigment, creating a blackhead. If the plug completely blocks the pore, air can't get in and the sebum can't get out. As these materials accumulate, the follicle wall can bulge, creating a whitehead.

In this low-oxygen environment, another type of microorganism called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) flourishes. P. acnes further degrades the sebum trapped in the follicle, creating skin-irritating chemicals that cause the redness often associated with acne. Free radical reactions also occur in the sebum, resulting in more damage to the cells lining the follicle. The skin then tries to defend itself by sending white blood cells into the battle inside the follicle. This can result in small pus-filled bumps, or pimples, on the surface of the skin.

As sebum, skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria continue to accumulate in the blocked skin pore, the lining of the hair follicle can rupture. The contents of the follicle then spill out into surrounding skin tissues causing more irritation and potentially leading to more blocked pores. Although all the reasons for the initial increase in sebum production are not completely understood, one significant trigger is an enzyme that is produced during hormonal changes in the body. This "hormone connection" helps explain why acne breakouts occur with greatest frequency during puberty, at the start of many women s menstrual cycles, and among postmenopausal women using estrogen therapy.

Like so many things, acne does have a genetic component. If your family history includes acne sufferers, you're more likely to be predisposed to also experience acne breakouts at some point in your life.

However, scientists now believe that the genetic component of acne is rather like a light switch. It takes other factors to "turn on" the switch and light up those beacon-like blemishes.

Many acne treatment products rely on one "big gun" active ingredient, such as high concentrations of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, to zap existing blemishes quickly. However, such one-pronged approaches can irritate skin and do not address the other factors that contribute to the cycle of acne troubled skin.

This natural acne treatment formula provides maximum strength effectiveness in fighting acne with a lower concentration of the active ingredient, salicylic Acid. This means the formula helps clear up acne, while being gentle to the skin. Antioxidant vitamins and botanicals help to naturally keep the skin smooth and healthy looking, while Salicylic Acid helps eliminate current breakouts, helps prevent future ones, and helps skin heal fast. Natural acne treatment is also a much safer choice than other acne treatments like antibiotics, accutane, or chemical peels.

Vitamin B6 and Zinc Gluconate help reduce excess oiliness.

Salicylic Acid (active ingredient) penetrates pores to help clear up existing whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples and help prevent the development of new acne blemishes.

Manuka Oil and Tea Tree Oil help to naturally prevent clogged pores without causing irritation.

Targeted botanicals (extracts of licorice, burdock, and watercress) support the skin's natural ability to remain free of harmful microflora to speed healing and reduce redness caused by acne.

Vitamins A and E provide skin-nourishing natural antioxidant protection.

TEENS
Most teens have oily skin that is also troubled by acne breakouts. The key to treatment: dry up the acne blemishes, help control oiliness, and gently encourage natural skin cell turnover. Then protect the skin against moisture-loss and free radical attacks that can lead to prematurely older looking skin all too soon!

Recommended Products:

M o r n i n g :
Use our Cleansing Gel. for normal to oily skin
Use our our toner for normal to oily skin
Our Acne Treatment Product
Our A.M. product with SPF 15
(use only on unaffected skin until blemishes clear)

E v e n i n g :
Cleansing Gel
Mineral Mask (2 to 3 times per week)
Toner for normal to oily skin
Acne Treatment
Our balanced moisturizer

ADULTS

After the teen years, having acne blemishes doesn't always mean you have oily skin. In fact, if your acne troubled skin feels tight or dry after washing, or if you experience dry patches, then it is important to properly meet your dry skin's needs as well as your acne concerns! The key to natural treatment: healthy oil/moisture balance, treat acne blemishes gently, then protect against environmental damage to retain your youthful appearance!

Recommended Products:

NORMAL TO OILY
Morning:
Cleansing Gel
Toner normal to oily
Our eye treatment product
Acne Treatment
A.M. product with SPF 15 (on unaffected skin until blemishes clear)

Evening:
Cleansing Gel
Mineral Mask (2 to 3 times a week)
Toner
Eye treatment
Acne Product
Balanced moisturizer

NORMAL TO DRY
Morning:
Cleansing Lotion
Toner normal to dry
Our eye treatment product
Our Acne Product(problem areas only)
Our A.M. product with SPF 15

Evening:
Cleansing Lotion
Mineral Mask (2 to 3 times per week)
Toner
Eye treatment
Acne Product on affected areas
Moisturizer