Just when you that the days of fussing over a spot on your face were over, your acne makes a come back, out of the blue with no announcement and seemingly no good reason! This is a phenomenon affecting as many as one in three women. Adult acne can be a frustrating and confidence sapping condition in particular when it appears so hard to treat. Antibiotics fail to correct it approximately 80 percent of the time and the oral contraceptive pill which is often used as a medical solution is linked to several side effects which make it an undesirable treatment option.

When a client sees me about adult acne, I can often trace their skin breakouts to four main triggers.

1. Hormone Imbalance. High levels of testosterone and related androgen hormones can lead to increased oil/sebum production in the skin which can lead to skin pores becoming blocked, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and oil to build up.  This is common in women who have a predisposition towards Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or women - acne in this case tends to be clustered around the mouth and chin area. Pregnancy can also lead to break outs due to a surge in the hormone progesterone, in particular during the first trimester. Do not despair, there are still things that you can do to combat hormonal acne- I provide a few tips in the following article: Five Rules to Follow for Gorgeous Skin
2. Diet. Whilst diet is not often medically recognised as a trigger for acne, there is no doubt that there is a strong link between saturated fat, sugar and dairy consumption and acne outbreaks. Pimples associated with food consumption, the health of the liver and poor digestive function, tend to cluster around the forehead and between the eye brows. In a recent review of 50 years of clinical studies, eating high Glycaemic Index (GI) Foods and drinking milk were shown to not only aggravate acne but also trigger it. Eating high GI foods and dairy are associated with a surge in insulin which is linked to increased sebum production and hence acne.
3. Stress. Stress is associated with a rise in cortisol and adrenaline hormones. It is actually thought that cells that produce sebum have receptors for stress hormones, which can trigger outbreaks.
4. Products. Sometimes the products we are using to combat our skin concerns can be the very cause of them. Over cleansing or using products which are rich in sulfates and overly foamy can strip the skin of its natural oils, promoting the over production of oil which can be a trigger for acne. Using products which have irritants such as alcohol or fragrances can irritate the skin which is also a trigger for excess oil production.

The secret to addressing acne through food and your beauty routine is understanding that the condition stems from hormonal imbalance, excess sebum production and to some extent lifestyle and your skincare regime. Balancing excess hormones, assisting the body in easily removing these hormones from the body and addressing excess oil production from the inside and out with the right products and foods, creates a fail proof way to eliminate acne.

OUTSIDE SECRET

On the outside we have two Edible Beauty products which work in reducing hormonal and stress acne every time. They are found in our Acne Away Set and include our No. 1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk, Turmeric Brightening Serum and & Botanical Water Gel.

No. 1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk is a gentle coconut milk based cleanser which is perfect for inflamed and irritated skin. Coconut Oil is anti-microbial which is critical in the control of acne. It is also "non-foaming" which is important when it comes to controlling acne. It means that the skin is not stripped of its "acid-mantle" which acts as a barrier, protecting the skin from microbes and toxins that can flare acne. It also contains salicylic acid (still edible) which removes the build-up of oil within pores to control acne breakouts.

Turmeric Brigthening Serum is a superfood serum designed to visibly brighten and enhance skin radiance to leave the skin feeling more balanced. Containing Hyaluronic Acid, Kakadu Plum, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Rumex, Snow Mushroom and Turmeric to reduce inflammation and balance excess sebum (oil) production. 

& Botanical Water Gel is the ultimate restoring gel for unhappy acne prone skin. It is ultra-soothing containing botanical extracts and oils with potent healing, regenerating and anti-microbial properties. This gel will reduce the redness, inflammation and irritation associated with acne, provide antimicrobial support to prevent flare-ups and starts the skin's healing and restoration process.  

INSIDE SECRET

The liver is one of the most important players in dictating the health of our skin. A liver under excess load will results in excess hormone build up and an over load of toxins being released through the skin which manifests as acne. We find the easiest way to support the liver is through our Inner Essential: Skin + Liver Cleanse Tablets. This supplement contains an abundance of liver-loving herbs including Turmeric Root, Echinacea, Burdock Root, Astaxanthin, Vitamin C and Zinc which work to detoxify and repair your liver, getting to the root cause of acne woes.

For more inside beauty tips, read my Five Rules to Follow for Gorgeous Skin