Free UK shipping on orders over £50 & free samples with every purchase
Free UK shipping on orders over £50 & free samples with every purchase
květen 23, 2024 6 min read
If my teenagers had experienced mild to moderate acne, I wouldn’t have headed straight to the GP or dermatologist. Likewise, I wouldn’t have turned to high-street acne skincare products. Why? Both offer harsh, drying treatments to fix oily acne, but healthy skin should NEVER be dry. If you take away one thing from this, that's the important message.
But most people get acne skincare routines all wrong. It’s like go big or go home and that’s my issue. My approach 9 times out of 10 swerves the doctors and the dermatologists, or continues from that point, and is super effective, super essential, and super kind to your skin, a bit like me (?!!!).
It might be counterintuitive and contradict conventional acne treatment routines. But all the people I’ve been treating for acne say that it feels like a breath of fresh air in an overcomplicated tricky market, so I’m extra happy.
Acne sufferers want to dry up spots and have squeeky oil-free clean skin. Most skincare companies know this and create drying, stripping 'people-pleasing' products. They dry up spots and make you feel like you are winning the battle. This approach to skincare products for acne seems logical since oiliness is a big factor in spots. But if you have blocked pores, red, inflamed, maybe painful spots, it's no use getting to work on these. That ship has already sailed. You need to work on spot prevention. And that's where keeping sebum comes in. Sebum (natural skin oil) is essential for several reasons:
Stripping the skin of these key functions can lead to various skin conditions, including acne, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, sensitivity, dehydration, redness, soreness, inflammatory skin markings, and scars.
The reality is harsh chemical-laden, drying products damage the skin, creating a harmful cycle where more products are needed to address the resulting poor skin function. The more these products are used, the more the skin is damaged. This cycle harms both the skin and the environment and does nothing to treat the underlying causes. This approach might work for a short period but then the skin experiences a downward cascade.
I offer skincare and acne skin treatment plans that are often missing from typical skincare clinics: gorgeous, clean, medical-grade skincare and non-traumatic treatments that change your skin and empower you to look your best. It's about changing your mindset to change your skin.
Typical medical acne treatment solutions include tretinoin (retinoic acid), oral antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide spot serums, the contraceptive pill, and hydroquinone (often from the Dr Obagi or ZO range prescribed to suppress post inflammatory skin marks).
While these prescriptions are powerful and science-backed proven, they can be harsh and irritating. No question they work, it’s why non-prescription skincare companies mimic this approach and include a type of retinoid, antibacterial spot cream and skin lightening treatments in their skincare range.
The question isn’t do these work, rather is there a kinder, less irritating way that’s just as good or better and works for the long-term?
Here’s a brief look at these treatments:
Instead of waging war on oiliness, we recommend feeding the skin with healthy microbes and skin-identical oils and milder but effective retinoids and actives. Here's how you can adopt a kinder, more effective acne treatment plan:
Acne is driven by hypersensitivity of the sebaceous glands to androgens (hormones). Hormonal fluctuations during puberty or pregnancy or menopause often trigger acne. While diet and lifestyle (like reducing sugar, stress, and getting enough sleep) play a role, hormones are the primary drivers.
When you stop using conventional skincare products, your skin will go through a normalisation phase. Expect small breakouts, skin sensitivity, excess oil, or dryness as your skin repairs its protective barrier. This detox period can last from days to weeks, depending on your previous chemical load.
Adopting a gentle, thoughtful approach for your teenage skin routine and adult acne routine can break the harmful cycle of conventional skincare. By understanding your skin’s needs and supporting its natural functions, you can achieve healthier, clearer skin without the harsh side effects. Change your mindset, and you’ll change your skin.
If I can help answer any questions you may have about acne and teenage acne do contact me HERE. I'll create your bespoke acne skincare plan with pleasure.