Taming Troubled Skin, Naturally

Almost everyone falls victim to the occasional spot or blemish.  For many people acne is a temporary annoyance, but those who suffer from acne prone skin it can be a frustrating battle that goes on constantly.  Acne usually occurs when pores are blocked by excess oil (or sebum) or dead skin cells.  It can also occur when pores are infected by bacteria.  These conditions can be caused by or aggravated by factors such as stress, hormone levels, vitamin deficiencies or overages, and of course, genetics.

The first thing that you can do to help get problem skin under control is to begin a skin care regimen.  Even the simplest skin care routine can make a huge difference when it is followed regularly.  The most basic routine should consist of a cleanser, a toner, and moisturizer.  Facials, scrubs, serums, and targeted treatments are all well and good, but unless you have a sensible daily routine as your skin care foundation you are likely to have a very hard time getting your skin under control.

It's also important to remember not to be too hard on acne prone skin.  I mean this figuratively and literally.  While scrubbing away at your face may seem like a good idea at the time, too intense exfoliation can leave the skin scoured with micro lesions and scratches, allowing more harmful bacteria to become introduced.  Not to mention that over exfoliation can cause the acne itself to become inflamed, resulting in increased redness and splotchyness.  When you exfoliate, remember to be gentle.  Try using masks that incorporate fresh fruit or dairy for their natural cleansing acids.  Or, try finer exfoliants for facial scrubs, such as Bamboo Powder, Fine Oat Flour, or Kaolin Clay.

Finally, don't lose hope or become discouraged too easily. Finding the right skin care routine can take time, experimentation, and most of all, patience.  Your skin will take time to adjust to a new routine.  Make sure to give each new method time to take effect before trying another.  Keep track of what you've tried and how your skin has reacted.  And through all of this, please try and take time for self affirmation.  Those with troubled skin are often more harsh on themselves than anyone else.  While you notice every spot and red patch, it is unlikely that the rest of the world is paying such close attention.  While having acne prone skin can be frustrating, it should never hold you back from feeling beautiful and confident.

Ingredients for Acne Prone Skin

Hydrosols - These distillates contain similar properties to their corresponding Essential Oils, but being water based, and significantly diluted, can be used in completely different ways.  Hydrosols make excellent toners, wetting agents for masks and facials, and are great for replacing water in cream and lotion recipes.

• Clary Sage 
• Helichrysum
• Lavindin Abrialis
• Neroli
• Roman Chamomile
• Rose Damnascena
• Rosemary Verbonene
• Yarrow

Vegetable / Carrier Oils - These Oils contain components that can be beneifical to acne prone skin.  Try using them to create moisturizing facial oils, facial creams, or as additives in soaps, cleansers, masks, or facials.

• Acai Oil
• Andiroba Oil
• Black Cumin Seed Oil
• Camellia Seed Oil
• Flax Seed Oil
• Hazelnut Oil
• Neem Oil
• Perilla Seed Oil
• Seabuckthorn Berry Oil
• Vitamin E Oil
• Watermelon Seed Oil

Gentle Exfoliants - These ingredients make great exfoliating agents in cleansers for acne prone skin.  Try wetting these dry ingredients with a corresponding Hydrosol to create a special cleanser.  Many of these ingredients can also be added to soaps.

• Banslochan (Bamboo) Powder
• Bentonite Clay
• Buttermilk Powder
• Honey Powder
• Lemon Peel Powder
• Neem Powder
• Oat Flour, Fine
• Rose Petal Powder
• Tulsi Powder
• White Kaolin Clay
• Whole Milk Powder
• Yogurt Powder

Fresh Ingredients - For use in fresh facials, masks, or cleansers, these fresh ingredients can help
soothe, exfoliate, or cleanse acne prone skin.

• Mashed Berries (Raspberries, Strawberries, & Blackberries)
• Fresh, Plain Yogurt
• Heavy Cream
• Lemon
• Cucumber
• Apples
• Egg Whites
• Honey

Essential Oils & Extracts - These ingredients make excellent additives to cleasners, masks, facials, creams, lotions, and serums for acne prone skin.  Be sure to research these ingredients before use, as they are quite potent and should be used at the correct rates in your formulas.

• Bergamot Essential Oil
• Cedarwood Essential Oil
• Niaouli Essential Oil
• Palmarosa Essential Oil
• Patchouli Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Rosemary Select CO2 Extract, Cineole Type
• Sangre de Drago Resin
• Tea Tree Essential Oil
• White Willow Bark Extract

Comments

[Natural Skin Care Guru]

I'm really enjoying the blog - easy to understand, useful information for the home beauty product maker! I wanted to add my two bobs worth regarding acne products - the one thing individuals with acne tend to think is that they need to dry out the skin to heal it and avoid more acne, and most commercial acne products will do just that. However, we always advise that whatever you use, whether you make it yourself or purchase over the counter, it should be gentle, non-oily, truly hydrating and, most importantly, not drying. Toners should contain a natural humectant (eg. glycerin or honey), and not alcohol - which immediately evaporates moisture away from the skin). Why the emphasis on hydration? Because you don't want your skin over-compensating for the excessive dryness...by producing more oil! Cheers, Deanna.

[Emmy]

I couldn't agree more! Troubled skin needs a gentle touch. Harsh drying ingredients, or over-exfoliation will just make things worse. That's what makes oils with natural astringent or antibacterial properties so wonderful for use in this type of skin care. Many natural Oils can help moisturize while keeping sebum balanced, and acne causing bacteria at bay. Go nature!