Acne is an indicator of internal imbalances, so it needs to be addressed from within too.
Hormones are one of the biggest causes of acne, which is why it’s common during puberty, pregnancy, post-natal and even when we change our contraception. These hormonal changes have an effect on our sebum production which can result in acne. Whilst we can’t control these fluctuations, we can minimise the effect it has on our skin through treatments and a suited skin routine (more on that below).
Diet can be a big factor too. Poor gut health can reflect in our skin and a lot of foods that can cause inflammation to the gut (all the good things- alcohol, dairy, caffeine and sugar) can add to compromised and irritated skin. A happier gut = happier skin, so make sure you are incorporating probiotics and nutritious food into your diet. Drink lots of water and increase your omegas. Water will help to balance oil production; omegas are fantastic at reducing inflammation.
External factors can aggravate acne, so it’s important to make a few tweaks to your lifestyle to help minimise breakouts and encourage speedy healing. Ensure everything that touches your face is clean. Whilst it might not be the root cause of acne, poor hygiene can lead to the spread of bacteria so it’s an important measure to take when treating acne. Towels, bedding, phones, make up brushes, and hands all harbour bacteria so book in a weekly cleaning session of them as your treat yourself to a decongesting mask.
It’s super important not to perform at home extractions. This can lead to further inflammation, the spread of bacteria and scarring. Incorrect extractions can actually push blocked debris deeper into the skin, leading to more painful, harder to treat breakouts.
And most importantly – treat your skin with love! Fighting against your skin is not the best path to take. Even if it’s not on its best behaviour, treat it with kindness and a gentle touch. Don’t try to scrub, strip, or squeeze as this will do more harm than good.