Keeping the skin hydrated is one of the most important ways to improve and maintain skin, especially when there is acne present.

Skin barrier integrity is very important as well.

The type of products used and their ingredients as well as the skincare routine all contribute to the quality of the skin and its barrier.

Methods like over-exfoliating, overwhelming the skin with too many products, the use of acids which could be too strong on the skin, and the use of cleansers that strip essential oils have been known to contribute to an impaired skin barrier which can lead to acne.

Keeping it simple is the most effective thing you can do for acne. Use a quality non-comedogenic moisturizer with acne supporting ingredients and a high-quality compatible cleanser (if you wear makeup) is all you need.

If you don’t wear makeup, try washing your face with just water. Try simplifying your routine and see if your symptoms improve.
 
Certain topicals have been shown to help support the skin during acne flare-ups

Tallow is full of nutrients that nourish and soothe acne-prone skin. It moisturizes the skin at a cellular level and supports skin barrier integrity.

Blue Tansy can help clear congested pores, soothe irritation, and is anti-bacterial making it one of the best ingredients for skin that is acne-prone.

Ylang Ylang has antifungal properties which can help clear certain types of acne. It also is incredibly moisturizing and regenerative.

Frankincense has strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps control oil production.

Chamomile is soothing for the skin, helps with acne scars, and is anti-inflammatory.

Two of the biggest contributors to acne are hormonal imbalance and gut health. There is a direct connection between acne and gut health, primarily regarding the microbiome. When the microbiome loses its balance between beneficial bacteria to opportunistic pathogens, it can result in inflammation. Inflammation in the gut can then lead to a condition called leaky gut. This is when the intestinal lining becomes porous allowing contents in the intestine to enter the body and potentially reach the bloodstream. This sets off an allergic/immune reaction which can reach the skin resulting in inflammation of the skin which can cause acne amongst other conditions.

For females, in regard to hormonal acne, the body relies on a specific balance between the various hormones responsible for the menstrual cycle. If testosterone is too high in relation to estrogen and progesterone OR if progesterone is too low in relation to estrogen, this can lead to acne. This has a lot to do with ovulation. If the body doesn't ovulate, it produces lower levels of progesterone during the luteal phase of the cycle (day 14-28). An elevated level of testosterone is typically due to excess insulin which can be from consumption of excess sugar or stress.

It takes about 3 months to get hormones back into balance because it takes 100 days for a follicle in the ovaries to develop. Follicle development depends on a safe and healthy environment in the body. If the body isn’t safe, then there is no security in producing a baby.

In order to build or maintain a healthy environment in the body, one should focus on consuming a diet rich in whole foods, reducing sugar and alcohol intake, eating quality amounts of protein and fat, managing stress levels, reducing the toxic load on the body from conventional products, and regulating their circadian rhythm. This will help with overall inflammation and help balance the microbiome as well. Happy gut, happy hormones, happy skin.

When the body perceives stress, it releases hormones like cortisol and androgens which have been shown to increase sebum production in the skin potentially leading to acne.

Stress also affects hormone balance, another contributor to acne. Even though stress can feel inevitable at times, there are ways to help keep stress levels down.
 
Some popular ways to manage stress include:

- Exercise: If you are looking for guidance or inspiration…one of the best apps out there for at home exercises is WeGLOW.

- Meditation: There are so many meditation tracks and podcasts out there. Check out the Podcast app and Spotify to see if any options resonate with you and give it a try. The best meditation routine is prioritizing at least 5 minutes a day in the morning to connect with yourself and shut out the noise from the world.

- Diaphragmatic breathing: This way of controlled breathing has been shown to cause physiological changes by lowering blood pressure and heart rate in addition to lowering levels of circulating stress hormones in the body. To start, sit or lay in a comfortable position while placing one hand on the heart and the other over the abdomen. Then you want to deeply inhale for 4 seconds through the nose towards your belly. You want the hand on your stomach to rise. Hold that breath for 4 seconds then slowly exhale completely for 6 seconds with pursed lips like you’re trying to blow out a candle. Repeat the cycle for 5-10 minutes.

 - Talk to a loved one: Sometimes we just need to let our thoughts out. When we keep challenging or negative thoughts in, they can build up and do more harm than good. Talking to someone can help you release stress. If you feel more comfortable writing your thoughts down, that can really benefit stress as well.