Treat and prevent acne naturally

Diagnosis - recognizing acne

Acne can have different forms. Typical for acne are oily skin with increased sebum production and chronic skin changes such as blackheads (comedones), pimples, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules as underlying causes.  Open blackheads are called whiteheads when they appear as small white dots. Closed blackheads are called blackheads when they appear as small black dots. Papules are small, raised pimples that may be inflamed and red. Pustules are similar to papules, but are filled with pus and often have a whitish or yellowish head. They may be red and inflamed. Pimples are large, painful, inflamed pimples that lie deep beneath the surface of the skin. They can take weeks or months to reach the surface.

The severity of acne ranges from mild forms with only comedones and pimples to more severe forms with papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. After healing, pimple marks or acne scars with hyperpigmentation may remain. The pores in acne skin are usually enlarged. The face is most affected where there are more sebaceous glands. This is the T-zone with forehead, nose and chin.  On the body, the chest, neck and back are particularly affected by acne.

Distinction from rosacea

In contrast to acne, with rosacea the skin's sebum production is not increased. Rosacea therefore does not produce blackheads (comedones). While acne often begins with puberty, rosacea usually only develops between the ages of 30 and 50.

Causes - How does acne occur?

• Excessive sebum production
  Acne occurs primarily in oily skin when the pores produce an excessive amount of sebum. Excess sebum can clog pores, causing sebum plugs to form. In connection with dead skin cells and  Under the influence of inflammatory acne bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, blackheads and pus-filled pimples, papules or pustules develop.

• Hormonal changes
  Acne is usually caused by hormones. In particular, excessive Levels of male sex hormones (androgens) can cause acne. Androgens such as testosterone are produced not only in the male body, but also to a small extent in the female body. Hormonal fluctuations occur primarily during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

• Genetic predisposition
  If parents, grandparents or close family members have already been affected by acne, there is a genetically increased risk of developing acne.

• Environmental factors
  If you are exposed to high levels of air pollution or harsh chemicals, it can irritate your skin and contribute to the development of acne.

• Improper diet
  A diet rich in sugary foods, meat and dairy products makes acne worse. Sugar stimulates insulin production. The hormone insulin, in turn, promotes sebum production. Sugar and meat promote silent inflammation in the body and weaken the immune system. High milk consumption can cause a hormonal imbalance in the body due to the growth hormones it contains.
  
  

In addition, there are some trigger factors that can worsen acne:

• Long-term psychological stress can imbalance the hormonal system or weaken the immune system and limit the body's ability to detoxify through the intestines. Foreign pollutants, bacteria or viruses can then be more difficult to fight off.

• Side effects of medications, cortisone, psychotropic drugs or anabolic steroids can change hormone levels. The healthy bacterial flora on the skin (microbiome) can also be destroyed by medications with their side effects.

• Nicotine constricts blood vessels, impairs blood circulation and wound healing in the skin.

• Regular alcohol consumption deprives the skin of moisture, enlarges pores and increases sebum production, which can worsen acne.

Forms of acne

There are different forms of acne:

• Pubertal acne (Acne Vulgaris): This most common form of acne typically occurs during puberty and heals spontaneously afterwards. The areas with many sebaceous glands on the face are particularly affected, but often also the neck, chest and back, where inflammatory pimples, comedones and pustules occur.

• Mallorca acne: Mallorca acne is caused by synthetic fats and emulsifiers in sunscreens. These substances, in conjunction with solar radiation, trigger inflammation in the sebaceous glands. These appear as an itchy rash with red pimples. The face, chest and upper body are particularly affected.

• Newborn acne: The cause of these completely harmless pimples lies in the completely normal hormonal changes after birth, although the breakdown of the mother's pregnancy hormones in the baby also contributes to newborn acne . The best therapy for a quick resolution of newborn acne is breastfeeding with breast milk, which itself also has an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Fungal acne: This acne skin disease, also called Malassezia folliculitis or fungal acne, is caused by yeast fungi such as Malassezia Furfur, which are part of the normal skin flora. When the skin's sebum production increases during puberty, the colonization of the skin with Malassezia yeasts, which feed on skin sebum, also increases.

• Hormonal acne: The so-called hormonal pimples usually occur 7 – 10 days before your period and during your period, when the skin produces more sebum and the pores can become clogged more easily. After your period, the complexion of hormonal acne improves again. Important to know: When using hormonal contraception with the contraceptive pill, the period is not a “normal menstruation”, but rather a withdrawal bleeding caused by the hormones it contains. The hormones prevent ovulation and artificially ensure a largely stable hormone level. This means that hormonal acne occurs less often.

• Late acne (Acne Tarda): This form of acne, which is also hormonally caused, is also known as adult acne. It often occurs after the last menstrual period, with the onset of menopause, but also after stopping the contraceptive pill. You can find further information here.

Dermatological treatment for acne

In the case of severe acne, it is recommended to consult an experienced dermatologist. This is particularly advisable for a confirmed diagnosis, but current conventional medical acne therapies are often associated with undesirable side effects.

A dermatological and conventional medical acne treatment is carried out externally and locally, initially usually with azelaic acid,  later with adapalene, tazarotene or retinoids such as tretinoin, with side effects such as dry skin, redness, swelling, flaking. or itching can often be observed.

Internal antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives based on anti-androgens or isotretinoin (vitamin A acid) are usually prescribed, which have particularly serious side effects. Acne treatment with an antibiotic must be limited in time to avoid drug resistance.  

Dermatological therapies for acne scars include chemical peeling, laser treatments, UV radiation, microdermabrasion, cortisone injections or collagen injections.

Hygiene for acne and pimples

In the vast majority of cases, you can treat acne yourself. You should approach it holistically: with the right facial care, a healthy diet and consistent reduction of unnecessary stress factors. The right skin care, tailored to skin prone to impurities and acne, ensures a more even, cleaner complexion. Please note the following tips:

• Never squeeze blackheads and pimples yourself. This can result in new bacterial inflammations and permanent scars or pimple marks.  

• If possible, avoid touching your face with your fingers so as not to transfer additional bacteria to the skin.  

• Wash your pillowcases and towels frequently to minimize bacterial growth.

Facial care - routine for acne

• A gentle facial cleansing morning and evening is essential to remove dirt, make-up and excess sebum. The surfactant-free Grape Seed Cleansing Cream with clay cleanses extremely gently on the skin and provides a mattifying effect for oily skin. The Cleansing Gel with washing-active amino acids is particularly recommended for deep pore cleansing of oily skin, and for thoroughly removing make-up, also in combination with the Deep Cleansing Oil.

• The Magnolia Toner with organic licorice root extract helps to reduce signs of pimple marks and prevent new ones from appearing. It stabilizes the skin's neutral pH value and helps to refine the pores.

• The Anti-Pollution Facial Serum M with willow bark extract, grape seed oil and hyaluronic acid loosens dead  >, strengthens the skin barrier and stimulates the skin's natural regeneration.

• The Copaiba Blemish Serum helps to combat pimples and acne quickly and intensively. The targeted treatment for impurities supports the healing process, hydrates the skin deeply with yaluronary acid and counteracts pimple marks.

• The emulsifier-free Organic Grape Seed Day Cream is an anti-comedogenic moisturizer that rebuilds the weakened skin barrier, counteracts inflammation and sustainably improves the skin's own immune protection.

• The Balancing Face Oil contains ;lts a combination of anti-comedogenic and healing oils that work together to combat acne, oily skin and large pores. The oil reduces excessive sebum production, provides moisture and has a lasting anti-inflammatory effect. The oil is not a miracle cure with immediate effect, but with regular use the skin's appearance noticeably and visibly improves.