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Halloween may be past us now, but here’s a scary story- ACNE-PRONE SKIN! From the best acne treatments with unimpeachable online reviews to looking up top DIY remedies for acne, most of us have dabbled in every supposed anti-acne realm to treat that conspicuous zit. We have prayed to the Gods of clear complexions, we have curbed our sugar cravings and we have tried every spot treatment there is, but that dreadful pimple still remains.
For the longest time, all skincare connoisseurs have been looking for that one anti-acne product that will control oil production, stop breakouts, and clarify the skin. But with acne, there’s never one across-the-board solution, as every skin type is unique and has distinct characteristics. Read on as we deep dive into the various causes of acne-prone skin and how to treat it effectively.
What causes acne-prone skin?
When the pores of your skin become clogged, they form a bump or sometimes a cyst on the surface, this is what we call ‘Acne’.
The pores are attached to tiny glands found beneath the surface of the skin, known as Sebaceous Glands. These are meant to lubricate the hair and skin to prevent it from drying out by producing an oily substance called Sebum. The malfunctioning of the Sebaceous Glands and therefore the consequence imbalance in the production of sebum causes acne-prone skin. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells or dirt deposits and together they form a plug in the follicle which eventually results in an inflamed lump- the gnarly pimple.
From dietary imbalances to now even the masks we have on all day, there are various factors that may trigger or worsen acne-prone skin.
- Hormonal changes: Androgens are hormones that increase during puberty resulting in the enlargement of the Sebaceous Glands and increased sebum production. Hormonal changes during midlife, pregnancy or even through the menstrual cycle can often lead to breakouts.
- Medications: Certain drugs that contain corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium may also cause acne. This again circles back to hormonal imbalance; drugs like testosterone have an altering impact on the natural hormone levels of the body, thereby resulting in acne and breakouts.
- Diet: Yes reader, something as basic as food can result in heart-break(outs) and more often than not it can also be the best acne treatment. Studies indicate that certain ingredients can potentially cause acne-prone skin. Processed foods, increased intake of carbohydrates, fat and hydrogenated oils, spicy, pungent foods, meats, alcohol, and even coffee can amp up your acne. Sure, these are the best bits of your everyday diet but desperate times call for extremely desperate measures!
- Stress: Much like your thoughts, cortisol- the primary stress hormone goes into overdrive if you are stressing too much. As a result, an excessive amount of cortisol is released into the bloodstream which further triggers increased oil production by the Sebaceous Glands and we all know what that eventually leads to…
Another pattern that is common when we are stressing too much is that we involuntarily start abandoning healthy habits. Disturbed sleep, unhealthy eating habits or eating too little, uncurbed caffeine intake- all have a negative effect on the skin.
How do I get rid of acne-prone skin permanently?
Everybody who has ever suffered from acne would agree that the instant impulse for treating acne is dealing with its symptoms or aftereffects. The usual Google search goes ‘how to get rid of a pimple overnight?’, it’s seldom ‘what is causing acne on my skin?’. Studies have shown that sustained treatment to acne-prone skin starts with eradicating the cause. Understanding the type of acne it is, how it’s formed, what is causing it and then removing those factors should be the ideal starting point for permanent riddance from acne.
How to treat acne-prone skin?
Things to avoid when suffering from acne-prone skin
A literal mountain out of a molehill- Stop picking at your zit
Squeezing and picking can push the bacteria and accumulated pus deeper into the layers of the skin which might cause the skin to purge more. Constantly touching your pimple will also aggravate redness and may cause scabs and permanent scarring.
Skin Karma- if you don’t treat it well, it’s going to give it back!
Keeping your skin healthy is the most fundamental step of preventing acne and other skin related concerns.
A suitable Cleanse-Tone-Moisturise (CTM) routine is an absolute must for acne-prone skin. This simple everyday skincare routine with acne products like a purifying facial cleanser, a clarifying facial toner and a gentle moisturiser can prove extremely beneficial in alleviating acne.
At Forest Essentials we believe that ‘if you can’t eat it, it doesn’t belong on your skin’. Naturally derived ingredients and food can lend countless benefits to your skin when applied topically, just as what your body would receive if you eat them! A healthy and clean diet facilitates clarified, glowing skin. Eating natural foods like fresh fruits, green vegetables and nuts, and avoiding trans-fat food can help detoxify skin.
Acne treatments are not ‘one-size-fit-all’- unique concerns, unique treatments
Every acne is different, and therefore, so is the treatment. Comedones, pimples or cysts- each acne type is distinct and has specific targeted treatments. Here are are some expert recommended products to address each type of acne concern-
1. Blackheads & Whiteheads | Revitalising Walnut Gel Scrub
This product is an absolute must-have if you are looking to get rid of your blackheads or whiteheads. It is an exfoliating scrub infused with finely milled Walnuts, prepared in a pure Aloe Vera and Vitamin-rich gel base. Walnuts are naturally rich in oil content and have deep cleansing properties that gently remove impurities and dead cells, and brighten complexion.
2. Pimples & Papules | Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti
Multani Mitti or Fuller’s Earth has been known as an anti-acne wonder herb since time immemorial! A regular feature in your grandma’s beauty Nuskas and a constant pop-up everytime you look up ‘best skincare for acne’, Multani Mitti provides continued and effective improvement for acne-prone and blemished skin. Its alkaline content helps correct imbalances in oil production and neutralizes skin tone.
Our Multani Mitti Ubtan encapsulates these exceptional benefits and works as a gentle exfoliating treatment that purifies and deep cleanses with a blend of fresh, sun-dried and hand pounded herbs including Neem, Turmeric and Fenugreek.
3. Nodules | Light Hydrating Facial Gel Pure Aloe Vera
A blend of naturally hydrating pure Aloe Vera, fresh Cucumber extracts, and Glycerin, this gel gently moisturises the skin and helps soothe redness and inflammation. Aloe Vera is also renowned for its antibacterial properties and thereby reduces acne-causing bacteriae.
4. Scarring | Facial Ubtan Narangi & Nagkesar
Narangi & Nagkesar Ubtan is an exfoliating treatment that stimulates the renewal of skin cells. It is a clarifying blend of fresh, sun-dried and hand pounded herbs including Narangi Peel, Pistachio, and Nagkesar to effectively refine the skin’s pores, diminish post-acne scars and illuminate the skin tone.
If you are new to the anti-acne fighters club and are struggling to identify and treat your acne type, then our in-house experts can responsibly answer these queries for you. With our Bespoke Service- Ayurvedic Doctor Interactions, you can connect with a Senior Ayurvedic Doctor from our team and get personalized recommendations on lifestyle and products to address your unique acne concerns.
Curb that impulse, do not dry out your skin
Acne-prone or acne-affected skin is typically oily, so it is tempting to use astringents, stripping cleansers and avoid using moisturisers. Well dear reader, moisturiser is never the enemy! Avoiding moisturisers will only lead to dry skin, which will then trigger more oil production, and eventually end in another acne purge. The right moisturiser of acne-prone skin is light, hydrating and non-comedogenic in nature, and nourishes the skin without making it too oily.
Our Eladi & Kumkumadi Creams are the perfect duo to treat acne-prone skin and its aftereffects.
Eladi Day Cream: This award-winning Day Cream is enriched with precious ingredients including Eladi Oil, Yashad Bhasma– a natural SPF 30, and Mukta Pishti – a freshwater pearl infusion which adds a natural radiance to your skin. It has an exceptionally light texture which allows your skin to breathe and regulate sebum production, making it a must-have in the skincare-for-acne repertoire.
Kumkumadi Night Cream: This cream works miraculously whilst the skin is at rest. It consists of powerful Ayurvedic preparations of Kumkumadi and Manikya (Ruby) Bhasma which lighten pigmentation and clarify the skin complexion.
Your acne skincare routine must evolve with you
It’s smooth sailing before you realise that your anti-acne skincare routine is not cutting it for you anymore, and it’s only a matter of time before your skin slowly devolves back into a purge. Factors like age, weather conditions, or any drastic lifestyle change like pregnancy for instance, result in several bodily changes and alterations to your skin requirements. Sometimes, even your acne transforms, what may have started as severe papular acne may only be scabs and scars by the end of a 3-month period, hence, a changeover of products becomes a must.
This also happens because once you have used the products for a certain period, your skin tends to get accustomed to them. It is therefore advised that you change your products every three-six months to keep stimulating the skin and avoid diminishing returns.
The best skincare routine for acne-prone skin
An expert-recommended routine that is curated with specialised acne skincare products. This 3-step transformational ritual is infused with a special blend of superior Ayurvedic herbs each of which addresses either a root-cause or specific effects of acne, thereby combatting it holistically from prevention to symptoms.
Transformational Ritual For Acne-Prone Skin
Step 1 | Cleanse: Take half a teaspoon of the Ubtan and mix with Buttermilk or Yogurt to make a creamy paste. Apply onto damp skin and massage to cleanse the skin.
Step 2 | Tone: The Shudhi Skin Clarifying Facial Spray makes for the rehydrate and tone the skin post cleansing.
Step 3 | Moisturise: Apply the Hydrating Aloe Vera Gel to seal moisture in the skin for a supple glow.
Alternatively, you can curate your own ritual best suited to your unique acne concerns, explore our selection of anti-acne products:
Delicate Facial Cleanser Kashmiri Saffron & Neem
Facial Ubtan Roop Nikhar & Gulaab
Facial Ubtan Narangi & Nagkesar
Light Hydrating Facial Gel Pure Aloe Vera
FAQs
1. What is the best toner for acne-prone skin?
A toner is a skincare staple. From cleaning out the post-cleansing residue to minimising pores and nixing blemishes, the right toner can play a pivotal role in your acne treatment.
A toner enriched with a blend of astringent ingredients that tighten pores, clarifying ingredients that purify the skin, and soothing ingredients that calm redness and inflammation is the ideal anti-acne toner.
Our Shudhi Skin Clarifying Facial Spray is an advanced dermo-purifying blend that is packed full of these benefits and contains Neem for purification, Vitamin-rich Clove Oil to nourish and Aloe Vera extract to soothe.
Even a Pure Rosewater Toner has unparalleled benefits for acne-prone skin. It removes excess oil from your face, keeps the bacterial growth at par and maintains the skin’s pH balance. The fresh floral infusions of Rose not only soothe the skin but also lend a lightly sensual scent to it.
2. What is necessary for acne-prone skin?
Five healthy habits that will keep your acne at bay-
- Maintain a daily CTM routine- wash your face twice a day and don’t forget to moisturise.
- Clean everything that touches your face, or better yet- don’t touch it!
- Avoid harsh exfoliators and scrubs when you have active acne, that is only going to make it worse.
- Do not try too many anti-acne treatments at once! Give each treatment an adequate amount of time to decode what works best for you.
- 2 litres of water a day, keeps the dermat away!
References:
Hyde, P. (2014) ‘Tips For Taking Care Of Your Skin’ TeensHealth [online] Available at: <https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/skin-tips.html>
Kumar, K. (2021) ‘How Does Stress Cause Acne?’ MedicineNet [online] Available at: <https://www.medicinenet.com/how_does_stress_cause_acne/article.htm> [Accessed: 14 December 2021]
Lembo, A. (2019) ‘6 ingredients to look for and 5 to avoid when picking a moisturizer for acne-prone skin’, Insider [online] <https://www.insider.com/best-moisturizer-for-acne-2019-2> [Accessed: 14 December 2021]
Medical News Today (2021) What type of acne do I have? [online] Available at: <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322322> [Accessed: 14 December 2021]
NHS UK (2019) Acne [online] Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes/> [Accessed: 14 December 2021]
Sachar, A. (2020) ‘6 reasons why your skincare routine isn’t working anymore’, Vogue [online] Available at: <https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/6-reasons-why-your-skincare-routine-isnt-working-anymore> [Accessed: 14 December 2021]
Tan, A U et al. ‘A review of diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients’, International journal of women’s dermatology vol. 4,2 56-71. 23 Dec. 2017, doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.10.006
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