DO YOU SUFFER FROM ACNE?

WHAT IS ACNE?

Acne is an infection of the hair follicles (pores) that present as bumps including: whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. These occur mostly on the face, and sometimes on the neck and
back. It is a common condition particularly in teenagers, and is often brought on by an increase in hormones. Sebaceous glands, that sit at the bottom of the hair shaft, produce sebum which is the natural oil that lubricates and protects our skin. When sebaceous glands are stimulated by hormonal changes, usually at the time of puberty, they produce more sebum.

Acne occurs when pores get clogged with dead skin and oil (sebum) trapping the oil and bacteria beneath. These blocked pores are known as blackheads or whiteheads (blackheads are oxidised oil, not dirt). As the trapped dirt and oils builds up, a pimple is formed. If the enlarged gland ruptures, this allows bacteria deeper into the layers of the skin which in turn can cause acne.

HOW DO I GET RID OF ACNE?

● Don’t touch your face or pick at spots! Bacteria from your hands and under your fingernails can make your acne worse.
● Keep your skin clean using a mild pH balanced cleanser and luke warm water. Over-cleansing and using abrasive scrubs will aggravate your acne. Using a mild, low-lathering and gently exfoliating daily wash will help to clean your skin and slough off any dead skin cells. Our Face Wash is a mild, 100% natural soap and alcohol free cleanser, with finely milled bamboo for gentle exfoliation. Use your hands instead of a flannel for a more gentle cleanse.
● Apply a detoxifying face mask for 10 minutes a day for 2 weeks. This will help to draw out impurities and gently exfoliate your skin. Orania’s Purifying Face Mask is loaded with clarifying clays, antibacterial Totarol & essential oils, refining extracts and soothing zinc oxide.

● After cleansing, you may like to apply a cooling and soothing Toning Mist with natural Witch Hazel extract to reduce inflammation and balance oily skin.
● Use an antibacterial spot treatment throughout the day and after cleansing. Orania’s Spot Treatment is loaded with everything you need to help fight acne and prevent further breakouts.
● Use a light moisturising lotion or serum to keep skin hydrated and help to reduce scarring. Our Face Lotion-Light has natural anti-oxidants and vitamins and will help to reduce redness and inflammation.
● If acne scarring is present, apply a few drops of Scar Oil to the affected area. Helichrysum essential, Olive Squalene and Rosehip Seed Oil are a great combination to help reduce inflammation and fade scars.
● Don’t try and cover your acne with heavy or pore clogging makeup or foundation. If you feel you need to cover it up, use a breathable loose mineral foundation. Orania’s Mineral Foundation Powder works with your skin, gives a natural medium to light coverage and will allow your skin to breathe. It has a high content of zinc oxide to calm and heal irritated skin and provide UV protection.
● After several weeks of persevering with these treatments, if your acne has worsened, you may want to visit your doctor for a more intense treatment to avoid permanent scarring. This should be a last resort, as many of the medications used for severe acne treatment have adverse side effects.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PREVENT ACNE?

● Again – Don’t touch your face or pick at spots!
● Drink freshly squeezed lemon juice in warm water every morning before breakfast and drink plenty of water during the day to help eliminate toxins.
● Keep your skin clean by daily gentle cleansing with a gentle pH balanced cleanser and apply spot treatment immediately at any sign of spots.
● Try to avoid eating too much dairy. Milk contains whey protein and certain hormones which increase the production of androgen hormones and sebum and can contribute to clogged pores. Sugar, and foods high in carbohydrates may also be a contributing factor.
● Change your pillowcase regularly. It also helps to wash your hair before bed if using tacky hair products. Products will transfer onto your pillowcase, stick to your skin and block pores, trapping in any dirt or dead skin.

Drinking the juice of 1⁄2 lemon before breakfast will help to alkalise your system, detox, and keep your skin clear.

SOME NATURAL INGREDIENTS WE LOVE

● Willow Bark Extract is the natural form of salicylic acid and is more gentle than the synthetic versions which can cause inflammation. Salicylic acid is an astringent, used to open pores and slough away dead skin cells.
● Peroxide is used as an antibacterial to kill bacteria, but can cause irritation and dryness. Totarol, extracted from the NZ Totara tree is a powerful antibacterial, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant that helps to fight acne causing bacteria. Some essential oils (Manuka, TTree and Lavender) also have effective antibacterial properties.
● Retinoids (a chemical compound derived from vitamin A) promotes sloughing off of the outer layer of skin to trick the body into producing new cells. It can dry out the skin, cause a burning sensation and leave the skin exposed and vulnerable. Rosehip Seed Oil is high in vitamin A and helps to gently regenerate the skin. Helichrysum Essential Oil promotes collagen production and boosts the skins’ protective layer.
● Witch Hazel Extract from the leaves and bark of the Witch Hazel shrub is a natural astringent alternative to alcohol that reduces pores, heals pimples and balances oily skin.
● Zinc Oxide kills acne causing bacteria, reduces inflammation and is a powerful anti-oxidant. Topical use is helpful for acne sufferers (try our Mineral Powder which has added zinc). It is also important to eat foods rich in zinc. These include: Red meat (unprocessed), Shellfish, legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils), Potatoes and Kumara, Seeds (Hemp, Pumpkin and Sesame), Nuts (cashews), Eggs and Dark chocolate (70-85%).

HOW TO POP A PIMPLE

No one wants to walk around with whitehead pimples, but popping them should be a last resort. This only works for blemishes with large, obvious white heads that are close to the surface. Never try to pop a deep, inflammed pimple as this may cause the pus to burst deep below the surface and cause further infection.
● Wash your face with warm water to gently open your pores.
● With clean hands, sanitise a needle (a needle is better than a pin) with peroxide or alcohol (use Spot Treatment or TTree essential oil if you don’t have these).
● Gently prick the top of the white part of the pimple to just pierce the surface.
● Place your fingers either side of the pimple and gently pull the skin away. If this does not drain the spot, gently squeeze. Apply Spot Treatment immediately to the affected area.

HOW TO EXTRACT A BLACKHEAD

● Wash your face with warm water to gently open your pores.
● With clean hands, apply pressure on either side of the blackhead. Gently squeeze from different angles and underneath until the blackhead pops out.
● If it does not come away, it is not ready, so don’t keep digging.
● Apply an astringent toner followed by an antibacterial Spot Treatment

If none of these extractions are successful, book yourself into your local day spa to have them extracted professionally.