Here’s a list of herbs and flowers that are helpful in fighting acne:

Aloe Vera is cooling and soothing. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic. It helps heals acne scars.

Basil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and can help control oil and reduce acne.

Bergamot Oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce acne and scars. However, it is phototoxic so don’t use it on your face if you are going out in the sunlight.

German Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. It can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.

Calendula is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and is good for reducing redness, itching and topical inflammation. It helps to soothe and repair the skin and reduces injury recovery time. Infused oils with calendula have been used for many years for a variety of skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. 

Clary Sage Oil balances oil production and reduces inflammation. To balance oily or combination skin use a mix of clary sage, geranium, and mandarin to your skin nightly.

Dandelion contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which may help soothe and calm irritated skin. It can be beneficial for conditions such as acne, eczema, or dermatitis.

Echinacea is anti-inflammatory and can help speed up the healing of acne. According to WebMD, a recent study suggests that taking a supplement which includes echinacea may help reduce acne when used together with other treatments.

Eucalyptus oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and helps balance sebum and clear clogged pores.

Frankincense oil reduces inflammation and is antiseptic and astringent. It is one of the best essential oils to use for skincare as it promotes skin regeneration and helps prevent wrinkles.

Green Tea is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial qualities. While it can’t clear acne on its own, it may help when drank or used topically with other treatments. For more information, click here.

Geranium oil helps to balances sebum production and soothe inflamed skin.

Hibiscus is a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) which can help exfoliate and unclog pores.

Lavender is antibacterial and can help soothe inflammation and reduces acne-causing bacteria.

Lemongrass oil is astringent and antibacterial. It helps eliminate blackhead by unclogging pores. Make a scrub by mixing baking soda, honey, and lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass helps reduce excess oil and kill bacteria. Try a mask of 1 tablespoon colloidal oatmeal, 2 teaspoons honey, and a drop of lemongrass oil.

Neem is antibacterial and antifungal. It is effective in treating acne and preventing future breakouts. It contains quercetin that helps fade scars and tighten skin. It also contains salicylic acid which is a known ingredient to help acne.

Rosemary is antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and reduces excess oil and helps clear clogged pores.

Tea tree oil is a powerful antimicrobial and antifungal essential oil. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties reduce acne breakouts. For oily skin, skin with acne or combination skin, mix tea tree, lemon, and geranium in your skincare recipe.

Thyme has strong antibacterial properties and is effective against acne-causing bacteria.

Turmeric may help acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may reduce acne and prevents future breakouts.

Wild Violet is gentle on skin and works wonderfully to soothe dry, itchy skin.  It can also help acne and rashes as it contains salicylic acid. Violets are antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. You can get a wild violet essential oil, but it is often hard to find and expensive. I prefer to infuse my own oil.

Witch Hazel is a natural astringent. Use it to reduce inflammation and help with excess oil production.

Using Herbs and Flowers in Your Skincare Routine

How Can I use these plants in my skincare routine?

Herbal Steam

This is one of my favorite ways to use herbs and flowers. It’s so relaxing and warms me up when I’m cold. The steam will open up pores which allows the plant’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of herbs to penetrate the skin.

Directions:

Boil water and pour into a large bowl. Add a cup of cold water. Be careful not to burn yourself. Add a handful of dried herbs or flowers such as chamomile, calendula, lavender, rosemary, or thyme. Cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl for 5 to 10 minutes. When you are finished, apply your toner and moisturizer.

Herbal Toner

You can create your own toner by infusing herbs and flowers into water or witch hazel.

Directions:

Either – Boil 1 cup of water and steep 1 tablespoon of your choice of dried botanicals for 20 minutes.

Or – Fill a jar 3/4 of the way full of dried botanicals, cover with witch hazel and let it soak in a cool dark place for a week, shaking it every day.

• Strain the mixture and let it cool.
• Add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (optional if you used a base of water).
• Store in a spray bottle or use with a cotton pad after cleansing.

Herbal Facial Mask

Directions:

Mix 1 teaspoon of dried and powdered herbs or flowers with 1 tablespoon of honey or aloe vera. Add a little water if you need to and form a paste. Apply the mixture to your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Herbal Facial Oil

An herbal infused facial oil.

Directions:

Fill a jar at least half full of dried herbs and flowers. Cover the dried botanicals completely with a carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil. Let the jar sit in a sunny spot for 4 to 6 weeks, stirring occasionally. Strain the oil and store it in a dark glass bottle. To use, apply a few drops to your skin nightly.

Herbal Face Wash

Directions:

Boil 1 cup of water and steep 1 tablespoon of your choice of dried botanicals for 20 minutes. Strain the decoction and mix with 1 tablespoon of castile soap. Pour into a container with a pump.

Spot Treatment

Directions:

Mix powdered neem or turmeric with a little water and form a paste. Apply the paste to pimples and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

Herbal Ice Cubes

Help soothe your inflamed skin and reduce redness with these herbal-infused ice cubes.

Directions:

Boil 1 cup of water and steep 1 tablespoon of your choice of dried botanicals for 20 minutes. Let your concoction cool and pour it into an ice cube tray. Freeze the herbal ice cubes and use them to gently massage your skin in the morning or after you cleanse.

Acne-Fighting Moisturizer Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel (soothes inflammation, hydrates)

1 tablespoon Jojoba Oil (balances sebum, non-comedogenic)

1 teaspoon Hemp Seed Oil (anti-inflammatory, balances oil)

1 teaspoon Rosehip Oil (heals scars, rich in antioxidants)

3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory)

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil (soothes skin, antibacterial)

1 teaspoon Green Tea Extract (reduces redness, antioxidant)

1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil (heals and protects the skin)

Directions:

Mix together all of the oils in a small bowl until well combined. Add in the essential oils, extract, and vitamin E oil. Pour the oil into an airtight jar.

To Use:

Apply a few drops after cleansing, toning and applying serums.

For more skincare tips and recipes, find me on substack or check out my podcast on Spotify or YouTube

Photo by Barbara Krysztofiak on Unsplash

The post Green Beauty – Acne-Fighting Power of Plants appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

The new pads are designed to Battle breakouts and specially formulated to remove dirt and excess oil while keeping your skin feeling soft and smooth.

With advanced keratolytic action to help decongest and unclog pores, 2% salicylic acid delivers targeted treatment for acne – helping to reduce recurring blackheads, pimples and redness.

Our formulation is alcohol free to stay kind to your skin, with added soothing aloe vera and witch hazel in each pad to keep your face hydrated at all times. With active ingredients including: Salicylic acid, Aqua, Propylene glycol, Sodium sulphate, Glycerine Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 20, Green tea extract, Witch hazel water, Aloe Vera leaf juice, Phenoxyethanol, Citric acid to ensure you keep that acne at bay.

This is just the latest addition to the Naturecan beauty range that also includes a range of moisturisers, masks, balms and hand creams. With years of experience in the industry, we know what actually works, and what doesn’t.

Scientifically proven to nourish, repair, protect and care, we’ve curated a collection of beauty essentials that fit the lives of real people with natural needs.

As close to nature as we can, our products harness the therapeutic properties of expertly sourced plant extracts and active ingredients – each individually lab-tested – for transparent beauty you can live by.

uk.naturecan.com

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Nutrition and the skin

Everyone wants a blemish-free, bright and healthy complexion, but various factors can influence the health and vitality of the skin. Diet, hormones, environmental toxins and infections can all impact the overall appearance of our skin. ‘Diets high in processed foods and sugar have shown to negatively impact skin health’ reveals Benbow. ‘Highly processed foods are predominantly rich in omega-6 and hydrogenated fats which when consumed in larger quantities, offset the omega3:6 balance. This leads to a pro-inflammatory environment which can impact the appearance, particularly the redness, of skin. A poor diet may also negatively affect skin via hormone disruption. Poor omega 3, magnesium and B vitamin intake can create hormone imbalances such as increased androgen levels which in turn triggers sebum production that can block skin pores leading to hormonal acne formation.’

The truth behind the impact of dairy, alcohol and sugar on Acne

There is a lot of speculation surrounding the impact of specific food groups and Acne. Whilst some are adamant that there is a link between nutrition and acne, others disagree. Here, Benbow busts the myths and sets the record straight.

Dairy

‘A meta-analysis reviewing 14 studies evaluating the effect of dairy intake on acne development did conclude that dairy increased the risk of acne. One thought process behind why this may occur is the breakdown of milk protein in our gut leading to IGF-1 release. This has a similar structure to insulin and can disrupt our hormones leading to outbreaks. Another potential cause maybe lactose intolerance whereby the sugar in milk is poorly broken down by the body which has little or no lactase enzyme available.’

Alcohol

‘Although there is no direct evidence to suggest that alcohol intake can worsen acne symptoms, it has been shown to influence hormone levels progesterone and oestrogen. This hormonal disruption can be considered as a potential trigger for acne.’

Sugar

‘Long term, high intakes of refined carbohydrates and simple sugars lead to persistently high blood glucose readings and potentially insulin insufficiency. Imbalanced blood glucose levels promote inflammation which as well as causing skin flareups is also damaging to collagen. Research has demonstrated when sugar intake is drastically reduced in individuals experiencing inflamed skin conditions such as eczema and acne, significant improvements are seen in skin breakouts.’

Ingredients that work to combat Acne

Zinc

According to Benbow, Zinc is the go-to ingredient to ease the symptoms of Acne. ‘Zinc plays a vital role in regulating oil sebaceous gland activity. Acne breakouts occur when sebum levels become unregulated and excessive which block hair follicles leading to inflammation and bacteria build up causing breakouts.
If the glands are producing sebum to excess, adequate zinc intake appears to reduce the amount of sebum secreted’.

Vitamin A and Carotenoids

‘Vitamin A is a fat-soluble antioxidant which has shown to prevent oxidative damage in skin cells. Additionally, supplementation with vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene may able to reduce the severity of acne outbreaks.’

Omega 3

‘Supplementation with omega 3 offers anti-inflammatory actions within the body including skin. This essential fatty acid can therefore help reduce the redness associated with inflamed spots. Essential fatty acids are also known to improve cell membrane structure contributing to cellular flexibility and overall skin tone.’

Working with Hormonal Acne

Hormonal Acne can be very frustrating and impact self-confidence. There are many ways that you can work to combat its symptoms. ‘Firstly, it is important to ensure a good, healthy, balanced diet is being consumed’ advises Benbow. ‘This should include plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants and skin vital nutrients such as carotenoids and selenium. It should be rich in omega 3 from either fish or seed sources to help reduce inflammation of the skin. Significantly reduce or ideally cut out highly processed foods containing poor fats and refined sugars which can worsen flare-ups as well as limiting dairy intake. Keeping well hydrated by drinking plenty of water may also improve overall skin appearance by preventing dryness’.

‘Finally, carefully cleanse and remove all makeup at the end of each day to prevent dirt and bacteria building up in skin pores leading to spot formation.’

Aimee Benbow’s Top 6 tips to ease Acne

• Consume a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds and avoid highly processed foods and foods high in sugar.
• Wash and cleanse skin thoroughly at the end of each day.
• Have make-up free days to reduce the blocking of pores.
• Allow sunlight exposure for a limited time each day.
• Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Don’t pick spots! Bacteria from your hands can make infections and inflammation worse.

About Aimée Benbow, BSc (Hons), MSc, ANutr.

Aimee is passionate about nutritional product development and the impact and efficacy of nutraceutical ingredients. Working in the food and supplements industry for over 11 years, she has supported people’s health through product development, advice and education.

As Technical Services Director at Viridian Nutrition she is responsible for a team of Nutritionists, providing customer support and ensuring an understanding of the latest clinical research. Aimee has launched over 20 products into the market based on consumer need and clinical efficacy. With experience managing a product range she has an in depth understanding of the industry regulations as well as the process to achieve certified organic status. A keen supporter of health food stores, Aimee is a regular speaker at training events to share knowledge and best practice.

A health and fitness advocate, Aimee has specialist knowledge of sports nutrition and has completed sprint triathlons and endurance events. Other focus areas include ageing, skin health and beauty. Additionally, with a passion for ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, Aimee is also highly experienced in quality assurance and audit procedures.

Aimee graduated from the University of Surrey in 2008 with a BSc in Nutrition. In 2018 she completed a Masters degree in Nutritional Medicine and has also achieved a Diploma in Herbalism. This is supported by extensive experience in HACCP (food safety) and qualified supplier auditing.

Aimee believes that diet and lifestyle play a huge role in overall health and wellbeing, therefore it is vital to support people in achieving a healthy regime and optimum nutrition.

The post The Facts and Realities of Combatting Acne appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Cleanse Properly

Everyone knows that bacteria love to breed on the dirt, oil, and makeup residues left on your face. It could transform into a spot for acne growth. You can prevent this by regularly cleansing your face every morning and night. It will avoid all the impurities from clogging your pores.

If you have enough time, you can do a double cleanse each time you are in the bathroom. This extra step can make sure that you removed every last ounce of grime in your face. You may opt to use pure soap and water when washing the face. Yet you must also find right cleansing products that suit your skin. 

Exfoliate Regularly

Aside from proper cleansing, your acne skin care routine should also include thorough exfoliation several times a week. This step will let you get into the most stubborn dirt build-up on your skin. By doing this step, you can have the assurance that you can finally remove all the acne-causing bacteria that regular cleansing cannot do.

However, you need to avoid excessive scrubbing during exfoliation since it can irritate the skin and can cause more harm than good. You can use gentle exfoliating methods like using mechanical exfoliation tools and products to do the job. 

Use Gentle Toners

After cleansing, you can use toners and astringents to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Look for products that can strip away excess oil from the skin. You may also look for astringents made with blemish-busting ingredients such as salicylic acid. But before you decide to buy any toner or astringent, you need to consult your doctor first since some of these products can harm certain skin types.   

Moisturise Liberally

Most acne-prone skin has excessive oils. Yet you may still benefit from using moisturisers if you have oily skin. Find moisturisers that will not trigger acne breakouts. These products can aid in alleviating dryness, peeling, and flaking. The oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturisers can usually do the trick. 

Aside from doing these steps, you need to make sure that you will not expose yourself to the sun too much. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause other skin problems like wrinkles, dark spots, premature lines, and even skin cancer. Invest in excellent sunscreen protection that will not clog your pores and trigger acne breakouts. Most importantly, talk to your dermatologist to ask suggestions to help clear your face from acne.  

The post Acne Prevention Tips: Important Steps To Keep Your Skin Blemish-Free    appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.