Acne is the scourge of most of today’s teenagers – our lifestyles have greatly contributed to the explosion of acne as a leading cause of teenage depression and despair. Up to 60 to 70 per cent of teenagers can be affected at various times.
In today’s world, every female teenager strives for fair clear skin and is constantly looking in the mirror and applying expensive lotions to achieve a blemish-free complexion. With the explosion of the metro male in the big cities of India, even men are becoming increasingly despondent when a spot appears on the chin, so you can imagine what it does to a woman who is in her first flush of youth and has to contend with a face full of spots.
Mothers, stop feeding your kids with fast food, increase their intake of fresh, organically grown vegetables, get them to drink more fresh water instead of fashionable coffee, fancy teas and sugar-filled fizzy drinks. Stop buying expensive creams, potions and pills until you have tried and tested the following aromatherapy remedy for acne. Why waste time and money when the solution could be just around the corner? Read what I have to say and give it a go as you have nothing to lose.
Acne is caused by abnormal activity of the sebaceous glands which results in over-production of sebum. This blocks the hair pores with a greasy plug. These sometimes show up as blackheads. Sebaceous glands appear to be affected by hormonal changes and stress, which can also trigger hormonal changes in the body. This is why acne is extremely common during puberty.
It is vital not to squeeze or damage the skin around affected areas as this can cause bacterial infection to become worse. This is when the scarring occurs.
{{/usCountry}}It is vital not to squeeze or damage the skin around affected areas as this can cause bacterial infection to become worse. This is when the scarring occurs.
{{/usCountry}}The following aromatherapy blend will help combat the bacterial infection and encourage the skin to heal. The diet suggestions are aimed at encouraging the body to achieve hormonal balance to stop the sebaceous glands over producing sebum.
It will take several months for the condition to improve, so patience and perseverance is needed. Do not use sun beds, and although sunlight will help, do not over-expose the skin as this can make the condition worse.
The blend
18 drops of Petitgrain (orange)
6 drops of Moroccan Chamomile
6 drops of Niaouli
12 drops of Virginia Cedar
Make your blend using the quantities above – store in a small dark glass bottle with a dropper.
Make a blend of acne treatment oil by adding 12 drops of the pre-prepared blend to 35 ml of jojoba vegetable carrier oil. Also make up a bottle of acne treatment oil lotion by adding 12 drops of blend to 30 ml of plain moisturising lotion or your usual moisturiser. Every night, sparingly apply the acne treatment oil to the affected areas. Each morning, sparingly apply the acne treatment lotion to the affected areas.
For treatment during the day, prepare cotton wool pads in the following way. Add five drops of blend to half a cup full of spring mineral water. Soak the cotton wool pads in the water, then gently squeeze them out and put into a small plastic bag. Gently wipe the affected area with these pads every two hours. If you follow these instructions, it will keep your skin protected from infection for a full 24 hours.
Bath
Add eight drops of blend to a cap full of jojoba oil and add to the bath. Soak in the bath for up to 20 minutes.
Diet
Eat plenty of vegetables, but only a modest amount of fruit. Avoid fatty foods, dairy products and red meat as much as possible. Drink seven glasses of water a day.
Supplements
Vitamin A dose as stated on container
Vitamin C 1,000 mgs
Zinc 30-40 mgs
Vitamin E 6,000 mgs
Essential oils can be purchased from Mystic Cures, New Delhi Ph: 011-51513462, 011-51513463.
Oil control
Make sure that the oil your glands are producing have an exit to flow out of. You can achieve this through exfoliation. This will prevent backlogs and decrease the chances of your oil glands being stopped up.
Cleanse & Tone
Oil is the reason your dead skin cells are sticking around. Start cleansing and toning on a daily basis. This proactive step will go a long way in clearing up your face.
Don’t be overly aggressive on your skin
Being too aggressive with cleansers and toners can cause irritation. This will stimulate your oil glands and make them produce mega oil. Also, avoid overusing moisturiser. This will clog your pores and cause you unnecessary problems.