Ever find yourself confused with the latest and greatest acne treatments?
Want to find alternatives to antibiotic treatments and drying creams, a
treatment that is more in line with treating the underlying causes and
conditions?
Let's look at what acne is:
There are four basic factors involved in the development of acne vulgaris:
- Acne arises due to the blockage of sebaceous follicles, which are found in
the face, neck, chest and back. The sebaceous glands attached to these follicles secrete excessive amounts
of sebum, an oily substance. While sebum is a normal secretion for healthy
skin, people with acne tend to produce more sebum than is normal.
- Second, the skin cells also known as epithelial cells in the sebaceous
follicles undergo changes, for reasons that are not real clear, changes that
make the skin cells denser. The combination of denser skin cells and too
much sebum causes a "plug" or "microcomedo," the start of both
non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions.
- Third, the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes proliferates in the oil-rich
environment of the microcomedo or "plug." The combination of sebum and dense
skin cells in a plugged follicle offers an ideal environment for P acne.
- Fourth, P acne produces pro-inflammatory factors that cause the "plug" or
microcomedo to inflame and evolve into an acne outbreak.
A natural way to challenge acne is by recognizing these factors and starting
to tackle each one. Neem is an herb that is recognized for its highly
effective antibacterial and antioxidant properties, particularly tackling
the P acne bacterium, both neem leaf and neem oil. It is effective in
fighting most epidermal dysfunctions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.
Turmeric, a deep yellow-orange herb is well known for its powerful yet safe
anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for resolving redness, irritation and
itchiness common to acne.
Beta hydroxy also known as salicylic acid, the same derivative in aspirin, is an
exfoliant, sloughs off dead skin cells to minimize the "plugging" effect.
As an exfoliant you need to allow the salicylic acid to absorb into the skin so
it gets the chance to slough the dead skin cells away. You would look for
products that have salicylic acid in the toner or facial lotion for best
results, otherwise you are basically washing the product off your face
before it has time to work.
So, to wrap it all up, to treat acne naturally look for herbs known for their
antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory properties and exfoliants to
minimize the "plugging" effect.
Read our MAdawas Skin Care product review!
