Address acne, but don’t be rough on your skin.
Always look at the ingredient list to find out what a product can (or cannot) do for you. What’s available? Add Tremella fuciformis, a.k.a. snow mushroom, and Zinc PCA. Follow the links to posts describing their benefits.
The secret to controlling acne without damaging your skin is in the ingredients. Fight the bacteria and the skin condition, not your body. Don’t supress your skin’s immune system or the barrier.
This, for example, is a good product .
Water, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Seakelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Hydrosol Water, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Nobiletin, Zinc PCA, Tremella fuciformis (Snow Mushroom) Extract, Porphyridium Polysaccharide, Fucoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid.
Make sure you use a non-occlusive cream, like this:
Water, Seakelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Propanediol, Salix alba (white willow) bark, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Diosgenin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Retinyl Acetate, Beta Glucan (Yeast), sr-Honey Bee Defensin-1, sh-Polypeptide-108 (granulysin), Calendula Officinalis Flower Water, Nobiletin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fucoidan, Oleanolic Acid, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Tocotrienols, Tocopherols, Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Xanthophyll, Thioctic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid.
What not to do
Don’t go for fast and furious solutions advertised on TV and elsewhere. Benzoyl peroxide is not your friend, either. It is a strong oxidant that promotes the formation of free radicals and inflammation, just like UV. Because it is a strong oxidant, it will also cause fabric bleaching and can dry and irritate the skin. You may be able to buy new clothes, but what about your skin? It has to last for many decades.
Beware of products containing strong essential oils, as they may cause allergy and irritation. Don’t use products that contain fragrances, which will irritate without providing any benefits. Beware of products containing alcohol as a main ingredient, as the skin will be dry and unable to fend off infection by the acne bacterium Cutibacterium acnes.
If a product increases irritation, produces a burning sensation, or otherwise upsets the skin, stop using it. Ask your doctor if there are alternatives.
What can you do for your skin? You must help control acne without damaging your skin in the long term, it’s imperative that you thnk long term (I know, it’s hard, but what if you live to be 120?). Don’t use products that contain strong oxidants or irritants. Choose actives that decrease sebum production without drying the skin. Target all aspects of acne, starting with inflammation, and don’t forget that acne has a strong hormonal component.
To maintain a leading edge in the skincare industry – I’m constantly evaluating products and ingredients marketed as “new” and “innovative.” I have three main sources of information regarding ingredients. The ingredient lists for thousands of products on the market (while reading them is boring, it’s also reassuring because it shows that we’re still the best). I also consult scientific publications on how synthetic or natural chemicals affect acne-related processes. The nice people who write to me suggesting new actives are a great source. Nobiletin was brought to my attention in this way.
Some ingredients that work for acne
Fucoidan, wild yam, and niacinamide have anti-inflammatory properties.
Wild Yam Diosgenin may help stabilize the hormonal microenvironment.
Niacinamide also helps decrease skin sensitivity.
Salicylic acid, salicin, and retinyl acetate normalize keratinization.
Retinyl acetate (vitamin A) will also accelerate skin renewal to help keep pores clear.
Willow bark extract (salicin) is also anti-inflammatory.
Nobiletin, coleus, galangal, and granulysin diminish acne bacteria.
Granulysin is a unique active developed by Skin Actives to target blemish-prone skin. It is a member of lysosomal proteins, and it will help keep at bay the bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes by creating holes in the target cell membrane.
Zinc, nobiletin and EGCG help decrease sebum secretion.
Green tea extract (EGCG) also helps keep pores open and is an antioxidant.
Yeast beta glucan is an immune response enhancer.
Saw palmetto, zinc, and EGCG act as inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase activity.
Whether you are headed back to school, starting a new job, or are just tired of dealing with those annoying and sometimes painful breakouts, Skin Actives has got you covered. We will help you beat your acne without beating up your skin.
Two more products that could help:
Ingredients: Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract (Salicin), Water, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), Kaempferia Galanga (Galangal) Root Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Galactoarabinan, Fucoidan, Beta Glucan (Yeast), Beta Glucan (Oat), Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Pectin, Arthrospira Extract, Porphyridium Polysaccharide, Coleus Forskohlii Oil, Granulysin, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid.
Ingredients: Seakelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Water, PEG-10 Sunflower Glycerides, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Propylene Glycol (and) Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben.
Read more about acne here.
DISCLAIMER: These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.