What is acne?

People have different opinions as to just what qualifies as acne and just what acne really is. Acne is medically defined as an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands; typically we see comedones and pimples. In severe cases of acne where cysts are formed, their subsequent bursting can cause scarring. What everyone agrees on is that acne can be miserable for the person dealing with it. Acne is not just for teenagers though and can affect the skin at any age.

What causes acne?

There is no one factor or cause of people getting acne. Acne typically happens when the adrenal glands in both men and women produce a male hormone and the sebaceous or glands that are responsible for oil production spring to life. We need oil production to keep our skin supple and smooth – the oil lubricates and protects our skins. Sometimes the skin cells near the surface can block the openings of these glands and the oil keeps being produced and building up underneath.

Bacteria we naturally have on our skin multiply and cause the redness and inflammation we can typically see around the pimple.

Types of acne include:

• If the oil comes to the surface it is commonly called a whitehead.

• If the oil becomes oxidised because of contact with air and therefore oxygen – it turns into a blackhead.

• Congestion and inflammation near the surface can cause a pustule or what we refer to as a pimple.

• If you get a pimple that is more below than on top of the surface it is called a papule.

• Go deeper into the skin and you have a cyst.

It is important to use a skincare regime that has a moisturiser that is non-comodegenic and does not block the pores. A cleanser needs to clean the face effectively but also be gentle on skin that is already sensitive and inflamed. Treat your skin gently.

Oily skin care products…

What should I use on my oily skin?

Oily skin is just really the skin doing the job it was meant to  – but producing more oil than your skin needs and more oil than you want. The result of this over production of oil is a greasy, shiny oily skin that can be difficult to deal with. Oily skin can be both difficult to manage and embarrassing. Oil reducing skin care needs to be able to gently but effectively clean away surface oil, skin cells that have been shed and daily grime and moisturise where the skin needs it without blocking  the pores.

What should I look for in oily skin products?

Gentle but effective is the key here to avoid stimulating the oil glands. Alcohols and astringents may cut through the oil temporarily but it is better for the skin and causes less drying out than if you can use a cleanser that effectively lifts the oil and grime and rinses cleanly away. This leaves the skin clean but not dried out.

If you strip away too much oil the skin will try to correct this and produce more – that it’s job…

Look for…

• Moisturisers that block the pores of the skin – look instead for a moisturiser that is non comodegenic.
• Cleansers that have harsh soaps, detergents and exfoliators.
• Avoid those with silicone that fill the pores.
• Avoid those that have heavy fragrances – some of these you might enjoy but your skin wont.
• Skincare products that have colourings in them.
• A moisturiser with Vitamin A that will help with the oiliness without drying and being as hard on the skin as the prescription Retin A.
• Use a gentle skin care regime and products to avoid stimulating the oil glands further.

What can I do to help oily skin?

Can we help our oily skin?

There is a lot we can do to help our skin look and feel its best. The good news is all we do to help our skin will also improve our general health as well, so we look and feel better in ourselves.  Some changes can have an immediate effect. However, we may have not been supporting our skin for some time so the changes we make can take a while to show on our skins. If the problem you have with your skin is of a more serious nature such as acne, dry skin that has cracked or bled or eczema or psoriasis, even moles or skin discolouration you may be unsure about it is best to seek professional advice.

What we can do to help…

By reading the guidelines below and working out a plan for how you could improve your health and therefore the health of your skin.  If there are a number of changes to be made, start off slowly and make small steps towards changing your lifestyle. Making too big a promises to yourself and taking on too much change at once can set yourself up to fail. For example, if you think alcohol consumption is a problem –rather than saying you’ll never drink again – try having alcohol free days or having a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you drink. Choose mocktails over cocktails, experiment with drinks at the bar that look the part but have no alcohol. Enlist the support of a friend that wants to improve their skin too.

Every small step in the list below will help you on the way to having skin that is less of a problem.

• A well balanced diet with fresh, unrefined foods, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid greasy, fried and fatty foods.
• Avoid overly processed and refined foods including sugar.
• Choose water over fizzy drinks and keep well hydrated.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, smoking and drugs.
• Get plenty of sleep at night.
• Avoid sun tanning and use sunscreen to avoid skin damage.
• Avoid heavy makeup.
• Exercise regularly, walking is fine to increase blood circulation.
• Use effective skin care products with a gentle but effective cleanser.
• both morning and night to remove daily grime build up that clogs pores.