Acne treatment and how it works
The best acne treatment will focus on a few areas of the skin to ensure the best possible results. These include neutralising bacteria & eliminating inflammation, deeply cleansing pores, regulating sebum secretion, and promoting the skin’s natural ability to heal to minimise and address acne scarring.
Now, this may seem like a very long list of goals but when choosing the best skin care products for acne they need to be kicking all these goals.
It is estimated around 80% of the population has had acne at some stage in their life. This is not a shocking statistic as we all have had a blemish on occasion. The issue comes down to finding the best treatment for acne that also addresses and prevent acne scarring.
Let's break down these goals:
- Neutralising bacteria & eliminating inflammation: The inflammation in the skin will damage the tissue both localised to the acne lesion and its surrounding tissue as well. The bacteria in the skin will create an immune response which leads to the inflammation. Therefore, both elements need to be targeted to minimise acne lesions on the skin.
- Deeply cleanse pores: When dirt and sebum block the skin’s pores, bacteria can get trapped and cause acne. These blocked pores are called comedones and they lead to bacteria filled acne. Deeply cleansing the skin with a natural acne face wash, will minimise blocked pores and minimise acne breakouts.
- Regulating sebum secretion: The sebum in your skin keeps your skin hydrated. Acne prone skin is also prone to increased oiliness, so often acne sufferers will try and dry out the oil to minimise acne breakouts. However, the opposite is true. In fact, by drying out the acne you will cause more sebum to be released. The best skincare for acne includes a light lotion to gently moisturise the skin to stop the overproduction of sebum.
- Scarring: To minimise scars and to get rid of acne scars are essential in a skincare routine for acne. Use cosmeceutical skincare products to provide the skin with ingredients that penetrate the epidermis to the dermis. It is here we are encouraging the delivery of key ingredients to encourage the rejuvenation of the skin from the base of the epidermis to the top. Ingredients include green tea, salicylic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, papaya extract, sea buckthorn extract.
What is acne?
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that erupts in various forms which include comedones (blackheads, whiteheads), pustules, papules, cystic and nodules. Acne vulgaris is the most common type of acne that often affects the face but can affect any area of the body including the chest, back and even the buttocks. There is also acne rosacea which mostly affects the face.
Natural acne skincare is the best approach to treating acne in the long term. Using a skincare range that uses natural ingredients with all the necessary acne vitamins that nature has developed means the complete nutrient profile is delivered straight to the dermis and epidermis of the skin. These cosmeceutical ingredients are able to naturally heal and rejuvenate the skin from the base of the epidermis to the top.
This is the two-pronged approach Salubre takes to treat the presenting acne and rejuvenate the skin to minimise the scarring that often is caused by acne.
Salubre’s Flawless Skin Care Range encompasses all these treatment strategies in the following line of products:
Best Acne Cleanser - Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil
Anti-Blemish Toner - Purifying Facial Spritzer
Antimicrobial Acne Serum - Immaculacy Facial Serum
Blackhead Remover - Detoxifying Facial Masque
Acne Prevention Moisturising Lotion
Manage Acne Breakouts in 4 Easy Steps - Flawless Essentials Pack
Complete Acne Treatment Kit - Flawless Indulgence Pack
Sample the Best Natural Acne Skin Products - Flawless Essentials Trial Pack
Best Acne Cleanser - Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil
The best face wash for acne deeply cleanses the pores, neutralises bacteria and reduces inflammation in the skin, without disrupting the lipid layer. Over drying the skin will lead to the overproduction of sebum which will block the pores as soon as you’ve cleansed them.
Salubre’s best acne cleanser is formulated with anti-inflammatory oils honey myrtle and manuka, and papaya extract to reduce inflammation and neutralise bacteria in the skin. Bisabolol is used to hydrate dry, damaged skin. Healing oils cucumber and coconut gently cleanses the skin while keeping it hydrated to minimise over-secretion of sebum.
The Salicylic Acid Cleanser has added AHAs and BHAs for the mild exfoliation of dead surface cells to create clean fresh looking skin and to allow the active ingredients in the Spritzer, Serum and Lotion to reach the acne lesions to help reduce its severity.
The Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil is suitable for all types of acne which includes acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hormonal acne, cystic acne, pustular acne and comedonal acne.
To compliment the benefits of the Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil, apply the Purifying Facial Spritzer immediately afterwards followed by the Immaculacy Facial Serum and Acne-Prevention Moisturising Lotion.
Anti-Blemish Toner - Purifying Facial Spritzer
After cleansing your skin, apply a facial water containing the beautiful essential oil hydrosols which will further cleanse the skin by removing any residual impurities and prevent the pores from reclogging.
The Flawless’ anti-blemish toner, Purifying Facial Spritzer, has 4 anti-acne actions to help the skin rejuvenate from acne lesions.
- Acts as a double cleanse to further unclog pores, reduce inflammation, balance skin’s pH and reduce enlarged pores by acting as an astringent.
- Adds hydration in the skin, especially when the Immaculacy Facial Serum is applied immediately after its application.
- While using the Detoxifying Facial Masque, gently spray the face with the Purifying Facial Spritzer to add more hydration into the skin and increase the benefits of detoxifying the skin from impurities and inflammation.
- Apply throughout the day to keep skin hydrated. The anti-blemish toner can be sprayed over make-up during the day to combat the drying effects heating and cooling systems have on the skin.
The active ingredients include cosmeceuticals which are absorbed into the dermal layer where the sebaceous glands (release sebum), blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands reside.
By getting to this deeper layer in the skin, the rejuvenating effects of cosmeceuticals can create more benefits to the epidermis from the lower level to the top.
To maximise hydration, apply the Immaculacy Facial Serum followed by the Acne-Prevention Moisturising Lotion immediately after spraying the Purifying Spritzer.
To maximise detoxification of the skin, spray the Purifying Facial Spritzer while your Detoxifying Masque is drying.
To maximise the deep cleansing of your skin and reduce inflammation in the skin, gently spray over the skin after cleansing with the Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil and then wipe away any excess impurities and oils from the skin.
The Purifying Facial Spritzer is suitable for all types of acne which include acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hormonal acne, cystic acne, pustular acne and comedonal acne.
Antimicrobial Acne Serum - Immaculacy Facial Serum
One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to the best acne treatment is to avoid oils on the skin. The excess production of sebum in the skin typically comes from a damaged skin barrier that is dehydrated. So, to rectify this, the body releases sebum to hydrate the dryness in the skin.
Oils such as hemp, sea buckthorn and tamanu are anti-inflammatory and antibacterial oils that regulate sebum secretion and encourage wound healing, making them essential in treating acne.
The inclusion of natural vitamin E and botanical extracts create a powerful effect on acne prone skin by encouraging wound healing to minimise scarring, reducing inflammation, neutralising bacteria, and moisturising and calming irritated skin.
The Immaculacy Facial Serum is great for teenage acne, adult acne and all types of acne, including acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hormonal acne, cystic acne, pustular acne and comedonal acne.
The Immaculacy Facial Serum is light, cooling and hydrating to the skin. To enhance these effects on the skin, apply the Purifying Facial Spritzer prior to the application of the serum.
To maximise detoxification, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, apply the antimicrobial acne serum on the skin after removing the Detoxifying Facial Masque. This will encourage the skin to feel smooth, soft and calm.
To maximise hydration, wound healing, and rejuvenation in the skin, apply the Acne Prevention Moisturising Lotion after the serum.
Blackhead Remover - Detoxifying Facial Masque
One of the key reasons why acne forms on the skin is the build-up of dead skin cells combined with sebum which will block the pores and trap the bacteria in the skin.
As we have mentioned, cleansing the skin is essential to help cleanse the pores and remove impurities; using a detoxifying masque is crucial to removing the dead surface skin cells.
This will brighten the complexion and allow the active ingredients of the other products in the range to reach their full potential by allowing the ingredients to be absorbed into the epidermis and dermis.
The Detoxifying Facial Masque focuses on 2 key factors when rejuvenating acne prone skin, they are:
- Green clay, white willow bark, burdock, olive leaf, nettle, and witch hazel to exfoliate the build-up of dead surface cells, reduce inflammation, neutralise bacteria and tighten pores, and
- Shea butter, bisabolol and astragalus to soothe irritated skin and encourage hydration & wound healing.
To maximise detoxification, ensure the skin has been properly cleansed with the Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil before applying the Detoxifying Facial Masque.
After removing the Detoxifying Facial Masque, apply the Purifying Facial Spritzer and then follow on with the Immaculacy Facial Serum.
Prevent breakouts and minimize acne lesions by maximising hydration morning and night with the Acne-Prevention Moisturising Lotion.
The Detoxifying Facial Masque is suitable for the following skin types:
- Acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hormonal acne, cystic acne, pustular acne and comedonal acne.
- Sensitive skin.
- Mature and sun damaged skin.
Acne Prevention Moisturising Lotion
The most important resource in your anti-blemish skincare routine is your moisturising lotion. Hydrating the skin when you have cleansed and exfoliated the skin will balance pH levels, regulate sebum secretion, minimise scarring and prevent the breakout of acne lesions on the skin.
For acne prone skin, not all moisturises are created equal; the best acne moisturiser for your skin needs to be light in texture and filled with ingredients that are antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory as well as encourage wound healing.
It sounds like a mixed bag but in fact this is exactly what your skin needs and that is why Salubre has formulated the Acne-Prevention Moisturising Lotion.
When applied onto cleansed skin, the best acne moisturiser will deliver the cosmeceutical ingredients to your dermal layer to invoke its benefits to your skin.
These ingredients include watermelon oil, witch hazel extract, macadamia oil, kakadu plum, olive leaf, nettle, aloe vera gel, white willow bark and shea butter.
For maximum results, ensure you incorporate the Detoxifying Facial Masque to your anti-blemish skincare routine.
For the topical treatment and management of acne, it is advised to follow the anti-blemish skincare routine twice daily consistently for 3 months.
The Acne Prevention Moisturising Lotion is suitable for all types of acne, from the teenage years to adulthood.
Manage Acne Breakouts in 4 Easy Steps - Flawless Essentials Pack
To effectively treat any skin health issue, the best results will be achieved by a step-by-step process. When it comes to the best acne treatment using cosmeceutical based skincare, the step-by-step process prepares the skin and allows the active ingredients to reach the desired level in the skin, the dermal layer. Where we can invoke change in the health of the skin and allow the skin’s natural healing process to be optimised.
For novice skin care users, this 4-step process will get you seeing results and encourage you to care for your skin on a regular basis.
Step 1: Cleansing the Skin - The Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil will gently remove impurities and toxins in the skin to reduce inflammation and acne lesions as well as promoting circulation to encourage the skin’s natural lymphatic drainage.
Step 2: Cleanse & Astringe - The Purifying Facial Spritzer further cleanses the skin and constricts the pores to reduce the enlarged pores that often result from acne blemishes on the skin.
Step 3: Exfoliate & Detoxifying - The removal of sebum and dead surface cells on the skin is extremely important in the management and treatment of acne.
This not only improves the health of the skin but also creates a pathway for the active ingredients in the skincare to find its way to the deeper layers of the skin.
The Detoxifying Facial Masque is great for all skin types, as all skin needs a detox from all the impurities and toxins it encounters day in and day out.
Step 4: Hydrate & Nourish - After the removal of the masque, it is extremely important to hydrate the skin so that the sebaceous glands aren’t triggered into thinking the skin is dry and needs to be hydrated.
The non-comedogenic lotion, Acne-Prevention Moisturising Lotion, will hydrate the skin and deliver anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin to effectively resolve acne lesions in the skin.
To supplement the benefits of the acne-prone skin care routine, the Luminosi-tea has been formulated to include nettle and olive leaf (as also found in Flawless) together with calendula flowers, dandelion, and cleavers to rejuvenate leaky gut syndrome and minimize toxic build up in the skin.
This cleansing tea, when enjoyed regularly, can have a positive impact on the skin to help support the benefits of the anti-blemish Flawless range.
Complete Acne Treatment Kit - Flawless Indulgence Pack
If you are fed up and want the superior anti-blemish system for your skin, then you have it in this complete acne treatment kit, the Flawless Indulgence Pack. As the name suggests, this is pure indulgence for your skin. Delivering all essential vitamins and minerals your skin needs to rejuvenate from acne and more importantly minimise the onset of future breakouts.
Understanding the skin’s needs as Salubre does, means we have formulated these key 5 products your skin is craving for. Acne is a result of inflammation in the skin; the Flawless range not only targets this inflammation, but also resolves the build-up of bacteria in the skin, encourages wound healing to minimise the formation of scarring and address the scarring that has already formed.
The Complete Acne Treatment Kit Includes:
Step 1: Cleanse & Purify - To cleanse and purify the skin will help with preparing the skin for the next steps. If you add any product to uncleansed skin, that product no matter how much it's proven to work, won’t work as effectively. That is why we encourage a step-by-step process that has proven results.
The Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil acts to remove the skin’s impurities, unclog pores and deliver anti-inflammatory effects to the skin to manage acne lesions.
Step 2: Cleanse & Astringe - The Purifying Facial Spritzer contains no water, only 100% active ingredients. The alcohol-free anti-blemish toner hydrates, cleanses, and constricts the skin. It can be used in multiple ways such as cleansing, hydrating the skin and supporting the benefits of the detoxifying masque.
Step 3: Exfoliate & Detoxifying - After using the Detoxifying Facial Masque just once, you will already notice an obvious difference to your skin. It will be brighter, plumper and have a deeply cleansed look.
That is what happens when we remove all that build-up of dead cells on the skin that is combined with the excess sebum released.
Following through with step 4, will further support the brightening of your skin as well as delivering the ingredients into the skin that previously couldn’t by-pass the barrier of dead skin cells on the surface.
Step 4: Brighten & Reduce Acne - The Immaculacy Facial Serum is a light and highly concentrated facial serum. With the presence of the amazing healing oils of sea buckthorn, tamanu, and hemp, this anti-acne serum is also the best serum for acne scars.
The dual effect makes it an essential step in your skincare routine that will maximise results and support the benefits of the moisturiser that is applied on the skin immediately afterwards.
Step 5: Hydrate & Nourish - The final step will make your skin look hydrated and dewy. Acne prone skin is usually dry, sensitive and damaged. By repairing this damaged skin barrier, your skin will be looking more hydrated and healthier while most importantly preventing future acne breakouts.
Wellness Teas beneficial for acne.
Luminosi-Tea - Leaky gut syndrome has been linked to many skin conditions including acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. The herbs in this cleansing tea are focused on rejuvenating the gut lining in the small intestine by reducing inflammation in the body and helping with the healthy elimination of toxins through the kidneys, lymphatic system and bowel.
Sereni-Tea - Stress is one of the common causes of acne due to the release of cortisol increasing testosterone and making the skin oilier and acne prone. By regulating the release of cortisol, the body’s hormonal regulating system can be better managed.
Adaptogens are the key ingredients in the Sereni-tea and are also the most effective way to nurture a stressed out body which inadvertently will improve the health of the skin.
Digest & Detox Tea - Digestion is often a key issue with many people. When it comes to skin health, the food we eat has a direct impact on our skin and our digestive system.
If we have been making poor choices such as the overindulgence of meats, sugars, alcohol and other treats, our digestion and our elimination of toxins can become sluggish and ineffective.
The Digest & Detox Tea addresses both the digestion and encourages the healthy elimination of toxins through the lymphatic system, kidney and bowels.
This in turn will improve the health of the skin, making the Digest & Detox Tea very effective for the management of acne
Sample the Best Natural Acne Skin Products - Flawless Essentials Trial Pack
The Flawless Essentials Trial Pack is a great way to trial the flawless range or take advantage of their convenient size and put them in your handbag so you can use it if you go on a weekend away or staying overnight at a friend's house.
These trial pack sizes are a great way to trial the products before you buy the retail sizes. Although they are called a trial pack, the quantity of Flawless goodness is enough for your skin to fall in love with.
You will receive:
Clarifying Cleanser with Manuka Oil 50mls - Removes the impurities and toxins in your skin with a deep cleansing facial wash. Included in this formulation is the anti-inflammatory benefits of papaya extract and bisabolol.
Purifying Facial Spritzer 50mls - Alcohol-free & water-free facial spritzer that contains 100% active ingredients acts to astringe the pores that have enlarged due to the acne lesions as well as delivering anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits to the skin.
Detoxifying Facial Masque 10g - A green clay base masque that deeply exfoliates the skin to remove the build-up of dead skin cells on the skin. By clearing this build-up, the active ingredients in the lotion will be absorbed and enter the dermal and epidermal layers in the skin to elicit their effects.
Acne-Prevention Moisturising Lotion 10g - Hydrating acne prone skin is an absolute essential step in any anti-blemish routine. This step will stop the release of sebum and will keep the skin hydrated and nourished. Actives such as nettle, olive leaf and burdock fight the inflammation and bacteria in the skin.
Acne - Which foods to avoid
The food we eat has a direct impact on the health of our skin. The dermal layer contains blood vessels. Everything we eat enters the bloodstream from the small intestine and gets delivered throughout the entire body through the vascular system (blood vessels).
The food we eat is broken down into nutrients and are circulated in the blood. Some foods increase inflammation in the body and when we are prone to specific health issues, the inflammation fires up this disease and makes the symptoms associated with this disease worse.
Anyone struggling to manage their acne effectively, I would encourage you to remove all inflammatory food from your diet. These include sugar, dairy, gluten, red meat and alcohol.
As I mentioned, the blood delivers everything to the skin, including hormones. If hormones are affected by stress, the food we eat, the lack of sleep we have, the emotions we have and so on; these effects will be displayed on your skin.
So, keep in mind what you notice impacts your acne and try to either manage it or avoid it.
Foods to avoid include:
- greasy, fatty foods and foods high in sugar. Also avoiding caffeinated drinks and alcohol as that will increase inflammation in the skin.
Foods to enjoy more often:
- A healthy diet rich in green leafy veggies and detoxifying veggies such as beetroot.
- Foods high in Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, minerals such as iron and zinc. If that can’t be the case, then look into supplementation of these vitamins and minerals.
Other ways to prevent Acne Breakouts
As with many skin health issues, acne requires a multifaceted approach when addressing the lesions. Here are my top tips for managing future acne breakouts:
- Avoid late nights, occasionally it is fine if you have gone out for a night out, but not a regular occurrence. Stay away from electronic devices late at night as this can often lead to a poor night's sleep.
- Get exercising - this will help regulate insulin resistance to reduce inflammation in the body and help blood circulation to encourage the skin’s natural ability to heal. Plus getting fresh air on your skin is amazing and I would encourage meditating while sitting outside and enjoying the beauty of nature.
- Smoking and other toxic vices are obviously going to create poor health. In fact, smoking will create more damage to the skin barrier and even make the skin leach out toxins through the pores. If you are trying to cleanse the pores, smoking will not help your cause.
- Managing stress levels and reducing overwhelm and angst. This can be achieved by nurturing your adrenals with adaptogens. Meditating daily and embarking on journal writing that include positive visualisations and affirmations. Don’t forget to read a positive, uplifting book to help you put life into perspective and give you the tools to deal with life’s challenges.
- Drinking 2-3 litres of filtered water per day. Such an easy thing to do, but often overlooked. Why not set yourself a challenge, drink 2-3 litres of water a day for 2 weeks and see the results for yourself.
You may feel frustrated that dealing with acne has been stressful and taken a lot of your energy and resources to find a solution. The truth is your skin is showing you where your attention should be. Your skin represents your health, and I can attest that having a skin condition truly sucks.
But as soon as you address and resolve your health from the inside out and use great quality skincare that treats the concerns you have on your skin, you will have amazing looking skin.
Even over time (and not a long time, just a few months) I have seen people’s skin transform from being full of congested acne to looking clear and healthy.
The only piece of advice I would really encourage you to take is try and avoid the temptation of a quick fix as there is nothing in health that leads to a quick fix. Give your skin the time and TLC it needs to heal as your skin is in a constant state of healing.
When skin issues such as acne present, it’s just a way in which your skin is needing more support to be healthy.
Related content you may be interested in:
Acne and Exercise: The pros and cons to healing acne.
Adult Acne: Unravel the secrets your body has behind why acne spots appear.
How to clear up acne: A complete guide to improving acneic skin
