Acne
Acne is the most common skin complaint and can be a long-lasting, painful condition. It occurs in the hair follicles and active sebaceous glands of the skin. It can show as blackheads, whiteheads and redness due to inflammation. The spots are usually on the face, chest and back. The most common type is acne vulgaris, characterised by inflamed pus-filled spots which open out onto the skin. Acne Conglobata is more severe, where the infection stays underneath the skin, forming painful cysts.
What causes acne?
Androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) increase the size of sebaceous glands which stimulates the production of more sebum and keratin (which is why boys are more prone to acne than girls). Keratin is the main constituent of the epidermis. An excess of keratin, or an excess of sebum, can block pores. It is not just the increase in testosterone, which occurs in all teenagers, but excess conversion to an even more powerful version of the hormones called DHT which can bring on acne.
Some chemicals such as coal tar (D and C red dyes), mineral oil (a petroleum by-product), or a sensitivity to certain drugs or skin products can trigger acne. Check products and aim to use organic natural skincare ranges.
What things can make the condition worse?
The best advice is to ensure an all-round healthy diet. Skin can be affected by how well you are internally.
More about skincare
Spot creams - Many spot creams contain benzoyl peroxide – an antiseptic which effectively helps control the growth of bacteria but can also make skin very dry and sore. If you use it you must ensure you only use it directly on the spot. ‘Less is more’ as far as benzoyl peroxide goes. Just dab a bit on the spot, no more than twice a day, and stop as soon as the spot starts to heal.
Tea tree oil is an effective antibacterial substance that has been shown to be a valid alternative to benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. It has fewer side effects and won’t cause dryness, scaling or itching. However, very concentrated tea tree oil can itself cause reactions, so you may be best not applying it neat to the skin. Use it in skin washes or creams.
Acne is the most common skin complaint and can be a long-lasting, painful condition. It occurs in the hair follicles and active sebaceous glands of the skin. It can show as blackheads, whiteheads and redness due to inflammation. The spots are usually on the face, chest and back. The most common type is acne vulgaris, characterised by inflamed pus-filled spots which open out onto the skin. Acne Conglobata is more severe, where the infection stays underneath the skin, forming painful cysts.
What causes acne?
Androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) increase the size of sebaceous glands which stimulates the production of more sebum and keratin (which is why boys are more prone to acne than girls). Keratin is the main constituent of the epidermis. An excess of keratin, or an excess of sebum, can block pores. It is not just the increase in testosterone, which occurs in all teenagers, but excess conversion to an even more powerful version of the hormones called DHT which can bring on acne.
Some chemicals such as coal tar (D and C red dyes), mineral oil (a petroleum by-product), or a sensitivity to certain drugs or skin products can trigger acne. Check products and aim to use organic natural skincare ranges.
What things can make the condition worse?
- Inflammation can result from allergies or digestive issues. The body’s ability to detoxify weakens, which affects liver function. This can result in poor skin condition.
- Stress: This can affect hormone balance. It suppresses the immune system and encourages inflammation. All skin problems involve inflammation. Stress reduction can be a large factor in improving acne.
- Sugar: Those with acne often do not process sugar well and so don’t transfer it into their cells properly. Sugary foods and refined carbohydrates make the condition worse. Sugar also slows down the immune system and interferes with the way we use vitamin C. Chromium may improve the way you process glucose.
- Stimulant drinks (tea. Coffee, alcohol & cola): These can all cause blood sugar levels to rise and have the same effect on acne as sugar itself.
- Food sensitivities: These may affect some sufferers. The most common culprit foods are dairy products (butter, cheese, milk, yoghurt, ice cream etc)
- Over-zealous skin cleansing: This can leave the skin dry and damaged. Try to avoid products containing Benzoyl peroxide. Apply a light moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated and to protect against pollution and the elements.
- Constipation or a build-up of toxins in the colon: If toxins remain too long in the colon they can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream and re-circulated.
The best advice is to ensure an all-round healthy diet. Skin can be affected by how well you are internally.
- Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily, in addition to herbal and fruit teas (avoid artificially flavoured or sweetened ones). Water is vital. Deprive body cells of water and your body won’t work properly. Skin cells, in particular, are exposed to sun, cold, heating, air-conditioning and pollution. We lose around 1.5 litres of water every day. If you do not replace it your cells cannot work or clear waste products
- Avoid alcohol or limit your intake down as far as possible
- Avoid all sugary foods (this includes many cereals) and don’t add sugar to drinks or cereals
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (preferably at each meal) and include a variety of colours ie. red, orange, yellow, purple, green. Include onions and garlic.
- Avoid tea and coffee as far as possible, but if you do include it, make sure you have no more than 2 cups daily
- Avoid foods containing white flour, such as bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries and pasta
- Include a tablespoon of mixed seeds each day (pumpkin, sunflower and linseeds)
- Use extra virgin olive oil where needed but try to avoid other sunflower or vegetable oils
- Avoid foods containing chemical additives. This includes most canned, preserved or processed foods. Most processed foods contain trans fats
- Eat oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna or trout 3 times weekly
- Limit red meat, opting more for fish or organic chicken
- Avoid fried foods. Boil, steam, bake or lightly grill foods
- Eat plenty of whole-grains, root vegetables, lentils and beans
- Limit foods made from wheat, oats, rye etc to one or two portions daily
- Avoid fatty foods like butter, cream and ice-cream (fats made from sugar)
- Eat organic foods as far as possible (if budget allows)
- Try using alternatives to milk and cheese such as soya milk and tofu. Cut out dairy products for at least 6 weeks and see if there is any difference. Experiment with goat’s or feta cheeses as many people can tolerate these who have a problem with cow’s milk products
- Include at least some vegetable sources of protein, soya, beans, lentils etc
- Where yoghurt is included make sure it is live, organic natural yoghurt (or goat’s yoghurt may be tried)
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid antibiotics where possible. They reduce the inflammatory effect of bacteria in the spots, but kill all the friendly bacteria in the digestive system, resulting in overgrowth of organisms that release toxins, creating skin problems.
More about skincare
- Daily cleansing is vital but needs to be handled correctly. The right cleanser should leave your skin feeling fresh and clean, but not tight and dry. Soap is very alkaline and so will wash away the skin’s natural oils that are essential. Even if you have oily skin, removing all the oils will simply stimulate your skin to produce more. If you live in a hard water area, it will dry out your skin even further. Avoid medicated soaps. Cleansers which are not water soluble need harsh alcohol-based toners to remove them from the skin and may clog your pores, stripping them of natural oils. Choose a cleanser that rinses off easily with water and leaves some of the skin’s oils so that it does not feel tight so you should not need a toner. Avoid any alcohol toners. They will ultimately stimulate the skin to produce more oil.
- Moisturise – a good moisturiser, suited to your skin type, will help the skin retain water and protect it from damaging effects of pollution and the sun. If you have oily skin, choose a moisturiser that is rich in hydrating substances. For dry skin, choose a richer moisturiser to leave the skin protected and to add oil and water to it.
- Exfoliate - to remove dead skin and clear blocked pores. If you have sensitive skin, go for a mild product. Do not pick or squeeze spots.
- Feed the skin with antioxidants (both ingested and put on the skin)
- Protect skin from the sun – use sunscreen 30 minutes after you have been out in the sun. If you get burnt use aloe vera gel.
- Detox the skin – You could try skin brushing or bathing in Epsom salts
Spot creams - Many spot creams contain benzoyl peroxide – an antiseptic which effectively helps control the growth of bacteria but can also make skin very dry and sore. If you use it you must ensure you only use it directly on the spot. ‘Less is more’ as far as benzoyl peroxide goes. Just dab a bit on the spot, no more than twice a day, and stop as soon as the spot starts to heal.
Tea tree oil is an effective antibacterial substance that has been shown to be a valid alternative to benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. It has fewer side effects and won’t cause dryness, scaling or itching. However, very concentrated tea tree oil can itself cause reactions, so you may be best not applying it neat to the skin. Use it in skin washes or creams.