Troubleshooting Acne

These days it seems like everyone is fighting acne to one degree or another. Perhaps it's stress or our fast-food, modern lifestyles, but so many of my clients (more than ever) are feeling the anxiety of dealing with adult acne. Fine lines and pimples?! It's just not fair!

Unfortunately, there is no one-stop easy cure for acne. But there are several great, natural products out there that will improve the condition greatly. Here are some pointers for those suffering with adult acne. Remember, everyone is different, so it may take some trial and error to find a regimen that works for you.

Cleanse - This one seems obvious, but so many of us are guilty of going to bed before cleansing. Especially at night, acne-prone skin needs a good thorough cleanse--two to three minutes (not 30 seconds!) of gentle massaging.

Exfoliate - When dead skin cells trap dirt, oil, and debris, acne bacteria forms and--voila!--a pimple arrives. Regular, gentle exfoliation is a MUST for acne prone skin. If you have more than 2 or 3 whiteheads at one time, skip manual exfoliants (those are exfoliants with granules or beads) and opt for a gentle, weekly peel instead. For those who can handle it, a nightly cream with retinol can also do the job.

Kill Acne Bacteria - Oxygen kills acne bacteria. That's why benzoyl peroxide has dominated the anti-acne skincare market for so long. Benzoyl peroxide transports oxygen into the deep recesses of the follicle where bacteria thrives. Today, however, we understand that there are some negative side-effects to benzoyl peroxide. Luckily, there are organic alternatives, like tea tree oil, that can kill acne bacteria just as well. Look for spot treatments, masks, cleansers, or toners with this natural, acne-fighting ingredient.

Treat Inflammation - Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder (think about how red and inflamed a pimple can be.) Soothing and calming ingredients like aloe or willow bark extract take down redness and inflammation naturally.

Relax - Stress is a BIG acne trigger. When we are stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode and the adrenal glands start pumping. This can lead to overall oiliness, acne, and other skin disorders.

Stop Picking! - I know it's hard to keep your hands away, but picking will only make it worse. I tell my clients to follow the "two-nudge" rule: Wrap your fingers in tissue and give the blemish two firm squeezes. If it doesn't come out, leave it. Pushing harder and harder may damage or infect nearby follicles, only making things worse. Remember to treat the area with a spot treatment or toner after your nudges. (Oh, and get rid of the magnifying mirrors. No one ever looks that close!)

Here's one great example of a skincare routine for an adult with normal to oily skin suffering from acne using the pointers above:

Morning:

Cleanse - Cleanse once with Naturopathica's Aloe Cleansing Gel (deeply cleanses and aloe calms inflamed skin)

Tone - Use Suki's Balancing Toner (its willow bark extract calms skin and fights acne)

Moisturize - Apply Eminence's Rosehip Whip Moisturizer while skin is damp to seal in moisture

Protect - Brush Eminence's SunDefense Minerals on skin for SPF 30 protection

Evening:

Cleanse - Cleanse twice with Naturopathica's Aloe Cleansing Gel to ensure a deep cleanse before bed

Tone - Use Suki's Balancing Toner again for its anti-inflammatory ingredients

Treat - Instead of moisturizer, use Image's Total Retinol-A Creme. Retinol exfoliates and renews skin, fighting both acne and the signs of aging.

Weekly:

Treat - Twice a week apply a tea tree oil mask to kill acne bacteria.

The HOTTEST Treatments!

A couple of months ago, I was watching an episode of Oprah about the beauty practices of women all over the world. It featured a segment on the Indian practice of incorporating fruit, herbs, and spices into facials. A few of my loyal, Indian clients have told me about these amazing food-based treatments offered in India and I find it totally inspiring.

At Studio Organics we've been using spices, particularly paprika, to bring a glow to the skin for years. One of my favorite facial treatments is our AHA/Paprika facial, which is a two-layer peel that exfoliates the skin with natural alpha-hydroxy fruit acid and stimulates the skin with an herbal mixture of paprika, rosemary, sage, and thyme. This treatment produces the most beautiful, rosy look to the complexion. And the gorgeous effects last for days.

My hottest new obsession is Eminence's Almond and Mineral Treatment, a weekly, at-home treatment for all skin types. The crushed almonds in this product revitalize the skin while the minerals nourish, enrich, and heal. But my favorite ingredient, of course, is the paprika. In just a few minutes, the heat from the spice brings a flushed look to the skin. Once removed, the skin calms and only a beautiful, healthy glow remains.

It seems like our obsession here in America is to peel, peel, peel away the layers of skin until we achieve a youthful glow. But all of that exfoliation can take its toll. Hot spices like paprika are a safer and quicker way to get a pretty complexion. Just take it easy at first. Your first experience with spice can be a shocking one. Be prepared for a bit of discomfort (you can even dilute your paprika treatments with water, toner, or tea to make it easier) but the beautiful results are totally worth it!