Acne Prone Skin Remedies
If only, there were quick and easy Photoshop solutions to acne. Sadly there isn’t, so when acne strikes, usually in puberty, adolescents can be forgiven for thinking, it is the end of the world. Just at the time when being attractive to the opposite sex has become a bid deal, their skin breaks out. That is not to say that acne does not affect adults, particularly women in later life. There is a ton of research on the possible causes. The remedies include, exercise regularly, get a good night’s sleep and eat a balanced diet. The cause can be attributed to; genetics, hormones, diet, stress, smoking, and inappropriate skin care.
The reality is, it can be successfully treated, but it is not a quick process. What I can do is take the frustration out of the process for you. For most tackling acne and blemishes start with over the counter products. Biased I may be, but my advice is DON’T. Many people have been put off by the strong side effects of Benzoyl Peroxide which can increase inflammation, dryness of skin, redness and cause free radical damage. It is my experience that commercial or drug store face washes do not offer a long-term solution.
Instead, I would suggest a route where you end up being more informed about your skin condition and what it will respond to. To kick-start your journey. I will give you four DIY remedies you can create yourself. This way as you apply them and see the results, you will be able to adapt, customize or change ingredients for more lasting results.
The fact is, everyone is different “one remedy does not fit all”. This article is a little lengthy, but the aim is for you to not just try the recipes blindly but to understand the purpose of the ingredients and raise your awareness of what works for you. Ultimately if you end up consulting a doctor or a dermatologist you will be armed with some very valuable information.
This post does not cover the causes, reasons or triggers for acne or skin blemished. That information exists in abundance in many other places. I am going to help you deal with the situation you are at now. You are looking at a face with acne or blemishes and you want to do something to deal with it, without spending months researching. So here we go.
Let me first say, it will take several months for the condition to improve so please be patient. Generally, clinical aromatherapists would likely have a 3-stage approach to dealing with severe acne. That approach would include a specific day and nighttime treatments.
The stages are generally
Stage 1 – Promote healing, reduce Inflammation and start the process of correct the balance of sebum production.
Stage 2. Fight infection and continue rebalancing
Stage 3 – Stabilisation
If you would like more personal or detailed guidance. You may contact me directly otherwise feel free to respond to this post.
For now, here are the basic recipes.
Starter: Basic Acne Prone Skin – Facewash
Because the skin is the largest waste illumination organ in the body, the first recipe is on cleansing it. It is important to cleanse the skin before applying any remedy. The cleansing process removes any overproduction of fat from the sebaceous glands. Using a pure soap can be effective, but rinse with running water. Alternatively here is a basic recipe that you can make up.
Ingredients
1 cup (130g or 5 oz) coconut oil (the high lauric acid content helps to kill bacteria and increases the skin moisture which helps to reduce scaring)
1 tbsp baking soda (combined with the coconut oil to create a pasty base, neutralizes pH imbalances on the skin as well as acting a mild anti-inflammatory).
5 drops lavender essential oil (Reduces inflammation and redness, inhibits bacteria growth)
10 drops lemon essential oil (citric acid help to reduce sebum production, antiseptic qualities kill bacteria, antioxidant properties help to fight free radicals help fight free radicals in the skin and boost collagen levels)
Directions:
- Melt the coconut: Place the coconut in a heatproof container and place the container in a pan of hot water to melt.
- Add ingredients to coconut oil
- Clean container: Pour all ingredients into a clean, airtight container and store in a cool place.
Use: Apply to face (as typical face wash) then rinse off with warm water.
Product adjustments: first adjust baking soda, then coconut oil before adjusting essential oils.
Main: Daily Acne Remedy
Many people put acne prone-skin down to too-much oil clogging the pores and often omit or are fearful of using oil to moisturize their skin. The causes of acne are many, for some it may be down to too much oil production but it can also be caused by too little oil being produced. In any case, the two main carrier oils I recommend for acne treatments are Hemp and jojoba oils for their 0 5-low comedogenic ratings. The comedogenic rating shows the pore-clogging ability of a skin product or oil. Many products will claim to be non-comedogenic.
Ingredients
4 tbsp – Jojoba Oil (The non-comedogenic base for your remedy). It is structurally close to the oil secreted from your sebaceous glands.
10 drops – Frankincense Essential Oil (Actively fights bacteria to clear existing acne. controls excessive oil production, astringent properties help to close pores, helps to heal scars)
5-10 drops – Vitamin E Oil (Adds healing, hydration properties, heal scars, smooth fine wrinkles and acts as a natural preservative to your remedy)..
5 drops – Lavender Essential Oil (Reduced inflammation and redness, inhibits bacteria growth)
5 drops – Jasmine Absolute Oil (Acts as a balancing oil for oilier skin, promotes cell generation and scar healing)
Directions: Mix all ingredients and pour it a dark (30 ml) bottle to avoid the oxidation of the oils.
Use: Apply to face (as typical face wash) then rinse off with warm water.
Product adjustments: As Jasmine Absolute can be expensive consider, you may want to leave this out and increase the Lavender drops to 10. Do not be seduced by cheap products called Jasmine Essential Oil. Use quality products for your treatment.
Note: Always patch test new remedies on your hand before applying to your face.
Dessert: Natural Honey Scar Treatment
A good deep treatment can help prevent Scarring. So use this recipe once per week.
Ingredients
2 Teaspoons of raw honey (Raw honey promotes skin healing and regeneration while protecting from bacterial damage. It also calms inflammation and makes skin look more plump and smooth)
3 drops of Lavender (Reduced inflammation and redness, inhibits bacteria growth)
3 drops Tea Tree (counters antimicrobial fungal and bacteria growth).
3 drops Frankincense (Actively fights bacteria to clear existing acne. controls excessive oil production, astringent properties help to close pores, helps to heal scars)
Directions:
Place honey into a jar. Add and then stir in the essential oils. Leave standing for at least 1 hour before use.
Use: Wash and dry face, then apply the paste, let it sit for an hour before rinsing off with warm water.
Spot Treatment
Here is a spot treatment remedy that you can make up as a roller ball remedy and carry it with you wherever you and use it whenever needed. Use it to catch potential outbreaks early.
Ingredients
10 ml Jojoba Oil (A non-comedogenic base for your remedy).
3 drops of Clary Sage ( reduces skin inflammation, regulates the production of oil on the skin, curbs the growth and spread of bacteria, alleviates feelings of stress and anxiety, and supports hormonal balance.
2 drops Tea Tree Essential oil (counters antimicrobial fungal and bacteria growth).
Directions: Pour the jojoba oil into the rollerball container, add the essential oil drops. Replace the roller-ball mechanism, and cap. Shake well before using.
Use: Apply directly to the affected area.
Note: Always patch test new remedies on your hand before applying to your face.
