Acne is among the most common skin conditions and is a serious medical problem that affects both the younger and the very old.
It is an inflammatory disease of the hair-oil follicle, affecting mainly the skin of the face, back, chest, and shoulders, the so-called seborrheic areas (areas where the sebaceous glands are in the greatest amount).
Sebaceous glands are under the influence of male sex hormones – androgens (testosterone), secreted in women in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands. The secretion of the glands, the so-called sebum, consists of fats, triglycerides, unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and its esters. Androgens (testosterone) stimulate fat secretion, and estrogens suppress it.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of acne – youth (teen) and adult. Youth acne occurs during puberty, spans the ages of 12 to 25, and is the subject of this article. Adult acne that occurs after this age will be covered in a future post.
Teen Acne (Acne vulgaris)
This type of acne (Acne vulgaris) affects many young people in the period of puberty and is associated with a hyperproduction of androgenic hormones, which increases the function of the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum.
What Causes Acne Vulgaris?
- genetically determined peculiarities in the functional activity of the sebaceous glands (seborrhea);
- increased content of androgen hormones in tissues;
- increased amount of resident microorganisms (Propionibacterium) in the hair-fat follicle.
Propionibacteria secrete the enzyme lipase, which breaks down skin fat (triglycerides) into free fatty acids. Fatty acids cause increased keratin formation at the entry of the hair-fat channel, which in turn leads to blockage, formation of comedones (black dots), and inflammation of the sebaceous glands with the appearance of purulent pimples (pus-filled pimples).
Choice of acne therapy
Timely treatment of acne is essential to prevent more severe consequences such as unpleasant scars, skin atrophy, and changes in pigmentation. The choice of methods for the treatment of acne depends on the level of the disease: mild, medium, or severe. Complex treatment with natural cosmetics, proper nutrition, and healthy habits produces a synergistic effect and acne therapy is more effective.
Appropriate diet for acne
A well-balanced diet limiting animal fats, sugar, pasta products, chocolate, dairy, and canned products is of utmost importance. These foods should be replaced by fresh fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, which provide the body with useful unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and microelements.
Which cosmetic products to avoid
Good hygiene is extremely important. It would be good when there are inflammations not to use makeup, which can complicate the skin condition. Cleanse regularly with an unscented, pH-balanced sulfate-free soap. All washing products, which dry and degrease, deprive the skin of its beneficial lipids, extremely important for it to be healthy and less reactive and sensitive.
Additional:
Limit the use of foundation, powders, and other pimple concealers, which further clog pores and create an environment for microorganisms to thrive.
We recommend that you also limit all washing gels with abrasive particles or acids because along with dirt, they also destroy all the lipids that protect the skin and are part of the hydro-lipid protective layer. It serves as a shield without which the skin becomes dry, sensitive, permeable to water and other substances, and an open door to infection.
Avoid toners with alcohol content, which dry out the skin and make it even more sensitive.
Natural skin care
STEP 1: Cleaning
Floral waters very gently remove impurities from the skin without leaving a feeling of excessive dryness and tightness. 100% organic floral waters Chamomile, Rose, and Lavender are suitable for daily acne cleansing and the mattifying tonic “Eleina”.
Lavender floral water
Use as a toner, to refresh and clean the skin of the face, neck, and décolleté or before applying fluid. Maintains natural moisture, regulates pH balance, and refreshes the skin.
Chamomile floral water
Suitable care for mixed and oily skin with a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Soothes irritated and inflamed skin and has a beneficial effect on acne-prone skin – it disinfects, dries, and shrinks pores.
Rose Floral Water
It heals and normalizes the lipid barrier of the skin. It has a toning, softening, and whitening effect. Stimulates cell regeneration and skin renewal.
Eleina – mattifying face tonic
Cleans pores and removes excess sebum. It has a light texture and aroma of Bulgarian rose. Refreshes and improves skin protection without drying. Use it for daily facial cleansing or as a stand-alone product for oily skin.
Learn more about acne cleansers:
Recipes from our cosmetician
For red and inflamed skin, make a compress with cotton gauze soaked in floral water. Place on the skin and wait for it to dry. This will help it recover faster.
You can also treat enlarged pores in the same way. Use Chamomile floral water, which has a strong astringent effect. It helps to reduce sebum secretion and reduces the size of pores.
100% natural homemade masks for cleaning the face and regulating oiliness
After applying the floral water compress, for more effective cleansing, apply one of the 100% natural homemade masks to regulate oiliness. They help to naturally restore and balance the skin in problematic conditions such as excessive sebum production and large pores.
Among the active ingredients in them are organic essential oils, floral waters and other natural ingredients such as white clay. Also known as huma, white clay is soft and fine-textured. Gently exfoliates the skin in order to renew the cells of the epidermis. Cleanses in depth, drawing out toxins and accumulated impurities. In addition, it stimulates blood circulation and cell regeneration. Removes excess sebum, cleans pores and normalizes sebum secretion.
See the recipes >
STEP 2: RECOVERY
Apply “Melissa” acne corrector on cleansed skin 3-4 times a day until the process subsides completely. When there is inflammation, it is important not to rub, but simply touch the inflammation with the concealer.
Melissa Acne Corrector
Use daily for faster skin recovery in pimple-affected areas.
The essential oils of Melissa, Lavender, St. John’s wort, Yarrow and CO2 extract of Calendula have a strong soothing, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, astringent (shrinking pores) and healing effect.
The complex of natural Argan, Evening Primrose and Jojoba oils improves the barrier properties of cell membranes and increases skin immunity.
Learn more about Melissa Acne Corrector:
Aromatherapy is the most gentle and gentle method of treating acne, which may take longer, but the end result will be healthy skin.
In case you have any questions about the products and how to use them – we will be happy to answer at hello@ecomaat.eu or on our FB page.
The article was prepared by our cosmetic expert Yordanka Kruchmarova.
