Acne
Acne is most often linked to hormonal fluctuation or imbalance. It can also be the result of digestive issues or environmental factors. Spots and blackheads occur when a pore becomes blocked with a combination of excess oil and dead skin cells. Blackheads are pores open to the air, which is why they turn black, and spots form underneath the skin. Spots can become infected. Propionibacterium acnes is a bacteria that exists naturally in the sebaceous glands, but when the pores are plugged, its presence may become problematic and inflammation results. If these spots are squeezed or scratched, it can spread infection and also lead to scarring.
The products that we use on our skin can also affect our skin; the wrong products can actually aggravate conditions. Oily skin can also be very sensitive. Harsh stripping and exfoliating products can actually lead to more inflammation and soreness as the skin produces extra oil and bacteria is spread.
We can help our skin to find an equilibrium and calmness by recognising what it actually needs from a skin care routine.
The skin needs to be cleansed twice a day: in the morning to clean off the dirt and dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface of the skin during the night, and at night to remove the day's accumulated dirt, excess oils and secretions.
Introduce warm and cool compressing as part of your cleansing routine; begin by applying a warm loosely wrung out facecloth or compress to your face for several seconds. The warmth relaxes the skin, which softens the pore walls, so allowing deep cleansing to be achieved. After applying the product, thoroughly rinse your skin with water. Not rinsing properly can be just as bad for the skin as not cleansing in the first place. Finish by applying a cool wrung out compress to your face and hold for several seconds. This causes the arrector pili muscles at the base of the hair follicles to contract, which loosens any material that has accumulated deep in the pores. This keeps the pores active right down to the bottom of the follicle and ensures that stagnation and build-up of sebum (oil) does not occur.
Cleansing Cream cleanses deeply and exfoliates gently, removing excess dirt and oil without stripping the skin of its natural defenses. Rubbing and scrubbing will irritate existing spots and inflammation and increases the risk of spreading infection.
What is added to your face washing water can also help to support the skin. Sage Bath draws out impurities and can help to calm acne and spotty skin conditions due to its inflammation inhibiting properties. Lemon Bath rejuvenates and tones as well as having antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Muslins should be changed every time you wash your face if you have inflamed spots, to avoid cross-infection.
Clarifying Toner helps moderate the skin's oil production and helps reduce blemishes and blackheads while soothing redness and inflammation.
Rhythmic Night Conditioner also helps balance oil production as it refines pores. Use it at night after cleansing for 28-days, 2 - 6 times a year, in place of Clarifying Toner.
Normalising Day Oil as a daily moisturiser which helps calm oil production and reduce blemishes. It may seem unusual that an oil based product is applied to an oily skin, but by applying the oil to the skin's surface the skin is reassured that it doesn't need to over-produce sebum. By this action the sebaceous glands are regulated and oil production normalised. In addition, the powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of Neem and Calendula support the healing processes in the skin.
A Facial Steam Bath and Cleansing Clay Mask applied once a week (or twice a week in extreme cases), can be very beneficial. These products encourage the skin's detoxification processes by absorbing the skin's excess secretions and drawing out deep-seated impurities, aiding healing and helping to prevent future breakouts.
Occasionally the spot has gone down but you are left with a flat red mark which seems to take ages to go away. This is a sign of slow healing skin. Rejuvenating Mask is an excellent treatment for this as the Borage and Anthyllis extracts help to stimulate the skin's regenerative processes. This product also contains the soothing and anti-inflammatory extracts of Carrot and Quince seed, thereby being of great assistance in both the treatment and prevention of more severe acne scarring.
Apply a thin layer of the mask daily under Normalising Day Oil for a 4-6 week intensive treatment period.
Despite the very best of care and conscientiousness, sometimes you just can't stop a spot, it is going to appear - usually before an important meeting or date! The only thing to do is to try and cover it up. Dr.Hauschka's Pure Care Cover Stick is much more than just a concealer. With specially selected ingredients the product works to heal the spot as well as hide it.
Intensive Care
Advanced options are available for teens and adults which help to clarify and balance acne skin. These products can be used four times a year to complement your daily skin care regimen.
Intensive Treatment 01 helps calm and clarify the skin of young people under the age of 25 suffering from acne. It acts quickly to help reduce inflammation, refine pores and clear the complexion and help to prevent the condition from returning. Intensive Treatment 01 is used morning and night after cleansing, 4 times a year, in place of Clarifying Toner.
Intensive Treatment 02 helps calm and clarify the skin of people over 25 years of age suffering from acne. It acts quickly to help reduce inflammation, refine pores and clear the complexion and help to prevent the condition from returning. Intensive Treatment 02 is used morning and night after cleansing, 4 times a year, in place of Clarifying Toner.
