How to clear up the skin problem

Achieving and maintaining blemish-free and clear skin can seem like an ongoing battle for many. The good news is that with the right products, the right routine, and consistency, this uphill battle can be banished once and for all!

Adult acne is extremely common. In fact, it’s the eighth most prevalent condition worldwide and the most common skin condition. As with any skin condition, it’s usually a sign of systemic imbalance and more than skin deep. There are numerous underlying causes of acne and blemish prone skin, the most common being food intolerances, hormonal issues, a sluggish digestive system and the products you use to treat acne-prone and problematic skin. If you really want to rid yourself of acne once and for all, the best approach is to focus on the cause rather than the pimple. Many acne treatments or programs focus on a quick fix approach rather than a holistic once . If you want to maintain Great skin you have to use natural skin care products to keep your skin good. Really starts from within so you need to look towards cleaning up your diet, fixing any digestive issues and hormonal imbalances as well as changing your skincare regime.

GUT IMBALANCES

The adage that your skin is only ever as good as what you put in (your mouth), should be your daily mantra. One of the root causes of acne has to do with the gut microbiome and addressing gut imbalances that reflect in your skin. Your gut lining covers around two tennis courts and is only half the thickness of a human hair. This super thin, fine cellophane-like barrier is not a wall, but rather an intelligent gate keeper: allowing the good stuff in, and keeping the unwanted toxins, biome etc out. So take a moment to stop and analyse your diet. Eliminating and detoxing dairy, sugar, hydrogenated fats and processed foods from your diet is equally as important in your skin transformation and results. 

DAIRY PROTEIN INTOLERANCE

Conventional dairy products contain hormones due to the animals diets. Researchers have found a high correlation between dairy consumption, especially skim milk, and teenage acne.

HORMONE IMBALANCES

If your acne or blemishes occur monthly along the jawline, cheeks or chin and pustules are deep and inflamed, it is usually indicative of hormonal acne. Supplementing with Vitex agnes (Chaste Tree Berry) is great alternative to prescription drugs for balancing the hormones. Hormones are a complicated area, so it’s best to work with a functional medical practitioner or naturopath to get to the cause, which will then address the symptoms.

INSULIN RESISTANCE

Insulin sensitivity/resistance describes how efficiently your body converts energy from carbohydrates (sugar). If you eat a lot of sugar or foods that turn into sugar, it will increase your blood sugar levels which causes a spike in insulin. An increase in insulin triggers excess sebum production and androgen activity. If you have insulin resistance it means your cells are not converting energy to glucose so the sugar stays in your bloodstream and causes inflammation. Some indications of insulin resistance are excess weight, lethargy, increased thirst, mood swings and even vision impairment. Aside from insulin, too much sugar plays havoc with your overall gut health, which is all the more reason to kick processed sugar to the curb. 

TOXIC BURDEN

Your liver and kidneys, digestive, endocrine and urinary systems all play a significant role in how your body processes and deals with exposure to toxins. If one system becomes depleted or overburdened, it affects the delicate balance and extra toxins are excreted via the skin. These toxins usually contain excess hormones that disrupt and cause inflammation and damage to the surrounding cells resulting in acne, redness, rashes and other skin conditions.

HOW TO TREAT ACNE

The first step is to address external inflammation is to soothe and calm your skin. Most acne sufferers have a tendency to go nuclear on their skin and treat it like a science experiment. As a result, blemish-prone skin is usually sensitised and impaired from using harsh, irritating and potentially toxic chemicals including synthetic fragrances and preservatives found in conventional mainstream skincare. 

A lot of formulas tend to dry the skin and strip the naturally-occurring oils, creating an imbalance and sending your sebaceous (oil) glands into overdrive, so eliminating and banishing harsh ingredients and surfactants from your routine will make an instantaneous difference. Gentle formulas that are non-aggressive will gradually balance and repair your skin. All you need is a little patience thrown in.

The surface of your skin has its own ecosystem or microbiome. A balanced and healthy amount of naturally occurring sebum keeps your skin in check by producing what your skin requires. If your skin is oily, it produces less oil and if it’s on the dry side, it produces more. Harsh products, toxins, hormones and insulin can all disrupt this delicate balance and interfere with your skin's lipid barrier. Impairment of this function leads to breakouts, irritation and sensitivity.