Acne Treatment that Works

Acne is the most common skin condition. 

What's the proper acne treatment for you? How should you treat those ugly pimples that consume your self-esteem? Is there a way to get rid of them forever? One that gives you healthy skin and restores your confidence?

The human body is so complex. Genetics, physical surroundings, stress, lifestyle, and stage of life all impact the skin. In this section of Approach Wellness, we share research and experience with you, whether you're 16 or 36.  We will tell you about acne products, treatments, and remedies...  And, if you want more, you can purchase our Ebook to create a personalized plan to design an effective solution and regain your confidence. It's about time!

Essential Oil Recipes for Skin Conditions

So What Is Acne?

Everyone develops pimples at some stage in their life. 

It affects both males and females but is predominant with males at puberty.

The causes are the male hormones which are increased at puberty and stimulate the sebaceous glands near the hair follicles to produce more oil.  The change in hormonal balance also impacts on the maturing skin cells and the combination leads to clogging of the pores.

If the clogged pore is covered by skin it appears as a whitehead.  If it is exposed to air it darkens and becomes a blackhead.  As the clogged pore becomes enlarged the skin may rupture, allowing bacteria to enter and cause inflammation and a pimple or possibly a cyst.

Sweat doesn’t cause pimples as it is produced by separate glands to the oil producing glands.  “Bad” food doesn’t cause pimples – but it won’t be good for the health of the growing teenager. Having said that, diet is important in this condition as too much junk food with their saturated fats will contribute to clogging of the pores.

Picking at the pimple will only make it last longer and possibly contribute to eventual scarring on the face, so try to leave the pimple alone and let it heal itself. 

Over use of make-up and not removing it and cleansing the face daily will exacerbate the problem.

Types of Acne-Related Skin Conditions

Acne Vulgaris is a superficial form involving hair follicles and oil secreting glands of the skin. It shows as blackheads, whiteheads and inflammation.

Conglobate acne is a more severe form with cyst formation and probable later scarring.

In both these forms the outbreak is mostly on the face but it also appears on the back, shoulders and chest.

Essential Oils for Acnes

You can use Chamomile for its anti-inflammatory properties, Tea Tree for its anti-bacterial properties  and Clary Sage as it regulates the secretion of oil in the skin.  These could be used in the Vapor Inhalation method for problems on the face.

Palmarosa is another great essential oil for acne conditions as it reduces inflammation.

The pure essential oils are also good in a blend, combined with Jojoba oil, for direct application to the skin. 

A Detox regime might be helpful here too, for cleansing out the toxins from the system.

Essential oils used in massage will help considerably with cleansing the pores and reducing inflammation.

Facial Steam Treatment

By Kate

This steam method will bring impurities to the surface.

Prep Time: A few days to blend
Yield: About 50 Treatments

Ingredients

• 100 drops Palmarosa essential oil
• 100 drops Lavender essential oil
• 50 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 20 drops Thyme essential oil
• 30 drops Geranium essential oil

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a small amber or blue bottle.

Seal well and shake.

Leave for a few days to blend.

Then, before use shake gently again and add about 6 drops to a bowl of boiling water and cover your head with a towel.

Your face is now about 30 cm over the bowl with the towel keeping the steam rising only as far as your face.

Remain there for about 5 minutes.

Pat dry your face at the end.

Facial Toner Recipe for Acne

By Kate

Use this toner each morning and at night before bed.

Prep Time: Two Weeks to Mature
Yield: About 50 Treatments

Ingredients

• 25ml apple cider vinegar
• 75ml rose water
• 5 drops Lemon essential oil
• 5 drops Geranium essential oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil

Instructions

Add all the ingredients together in a blue or amber bottle.

Shake well and allow to mature for 2 weeks then filter.

Apply to the skin twice daily.

Essential Oils Astringent for Face

By Kate

Astringents are useful for very oily spots of skin on the face. Use only on oily spots. Astringents cause contraction of the skin and cause pores to close and skin to dry out. Dry skin can cause irritation and will not solve a problem with acne.

Prep Time: Five Minutes
Yield: One Treatment

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons filtered water
• 2 teaspoons Witch Hazel
• 1 drop Palmarosa essential oil
• 2 drops Cypress essential oil
• 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a blue or amber bottle and shake well.

Splash your face with a small amount of this astringent to help clear up the inflammation caused by the infection.

Do not use to dry out your skin.

Warm Compress for Acne Relief

By Kate

While a cold compress is preferable to treat inflammation and swelling, a warm compress can increase circulation the area of acne and soften the sebum for faster processing by your body. Use a warm compress that is not too hot so that you do not scald and damage your skin.

Prep Time: Overnight
Yield: One Treatment

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons Lemon Balm, dried
• 2 teaspoons Chamomile, dried
• 2 teaspoons Marigold petals, dried
• 2 drops Lemon essential oil
• 600mls boiling water

Instructions

Put all plant ingredients into the boiling water, cover and steep overnight. Strain all plant material out.

To use reheat to warm and dip soft cloth into it.

Wring out excess and place the damp cloth over the acne.

Keep it there for about 15 minutes.

Keep it away from eyes and inflamed skin areas.

Consider following a warm compress with a cold compress to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Topical Treatment

Recipe One

By Kate

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Yield: About 10 Treatments

Ingredients

• 5 drops Lemon essential oil
• 5 drops Bergamot essential oil
• 5 drops Geranium essential oil
• 10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 30ml Jojoba carrier oil

Instructions

Mix these ingredients together and keep in amber/dark glass bottle.

Apply to affected areas.

Avoid the eye area.

Facial Scars Causes by Pimples

By Kate

Essential oils recipe for essential oils caused by pimples.

Prep Time: PrepTime
Yield: About 50 Treatments

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons Grapeseed oil
• 1 teaspoon Wheatgerm oil
• 1 teaspoon Jojoba oil
• 3 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 3 drops Lavender essential oil
• 3 drops Juniper essential oil
• 3 drops Geranium essential oil

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together and seal in a blue or amber bottle. Allow to blend for couple of days.

Then apply gently every night after your shower or face wash. Leave your face moist before applying this cleanser.

No matter what age you are if you suffer from acne/blackheads/pimples remember that what shows outside is reflected from what is inside.  In other words, you are what you eat...

Clear Skin Choices You Can Make

• Eat healthy food: raw or steamed
• Reduce or cut out junk food
• Get exercise every day to stimulate circulation and removal of toxins
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
• Reduce salt intake
• Take supplements which include B6, Vitamin E & C
• Avoid make-up or remove thoroughly every night before bed
• Do not squeeze the pimple - it will result in more inflammation and definitely scarring on your face.