When adolescence hit (in all its glory!), for me, acne was one of the most troubling symptoms. In fact, I was so bothered by my acne, that not only did I basically bath in Clearasil, I was medicated for it! Yep, I was put on the oral contraceptive pill as a young teen and stayed on it until I knew better and was in my early-20s. Although the pill cleared up my acne, it masked some bigger problems and in the long-run, did more harm than good, especially regarding fertility and ovarian function (but that rant is for another day!).
Acne is considered a ‘western’ condition, and although it is estimated to affect 79-95% of people aged 16-18 years, I see people of all ages presenting with acne.
Acne is predominantly thought of as being a result of increased androgens (male hormones), which stimulate sebaceous gland activity, which result in sebum (oil) production triggering something called hyperkeratosis, which blocks the follicles and results in characteristic cysts. Acne can however also be brought on by certain foods (hello dairy and sugar!), hormonal imbalances, the use of certain drugs, oily creams and heat/humidity.
Acne has also been linked to a bacterial imbalance of the skin. In fact, many skin conditions likely affect the skin microbiome and some (including acne) have been described as being ‘dysbiosis’ of the skin.
Given the close relationship between skin conditions and our skin microbiome, I wanted to share some strategies to help restore the integrity of your skin microbiome…
These are just a few practical ways to support your skin’s microbial life and restore the integrity of your skin. If you want to learn more tips for skin health, check out my latest tutorial which goes for 30 mins and dives into common skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis; and discusses what you can do to improve the skin you’re in!
Healthy skin is reflective of a healthy system… but remember, it can take up to two months for the outer layers of skin to be replaced, so patience is required. Also, be sure to see a specialist or GP for the correct diagnosis of a skin compliant before you turn to doctor google!
Play the long game, know what you’re dealing with, address the cause/s, and support your skin in multiple ways.
Until next time,
Stacey.