Acne care: 5 tips for a holistic approach

The different types of acne

Acne requires a global (holistic) and differentiated approach depending on the type of acne the person is facing. We can dissociate the so-called retentional acne from inflammatory acne. In 60% of cases, these two forms of acne will coexist. This is called mixed acne.
Retentional acne is due to an excess of sebum. It is seen by the appearance of small comedones, in the form of blackheads or whiteheads. And the other type of acne, inflammatory acne, is due to a bacterium that is naturally present in the skin, but which in this case proliferates. This overgrowth of the P. acnes bacteria leads to the production of inflammatory substances that spread to the lower layers of the epidermis. You may know that feeling of a pimple forming deep within the skin that heralds an acne pimple in the days to come.

To understand the conditions that lead to acne, it is helpful to first understand the role of sebum. This oily substance protects the skin from dryness and external aggressions, and when its pores are clogged, it can't do its job. This can lead to inflammation, which in turn leads to the growth of bacteria.

There are root causes that are difficult to act on: hormonal changes, which are natural after all, cannot be upset. The effects of stress, anxiety, and dietary imbalances can, however, be improved, as can the skin's direct environment. We mentioned bacterial inflammation, which is a first cause that you can act on.

Protect your skin from bacterial over-inflammation with silk

Acne related to inflammatory skin conditions is reinforced by a moist environment in which bacteria can proliferate. Where do you find this moist environment? In a cotton pillowcase. Indeed, cotton has a very high absorption coefficient. Cotton absorbs perspiration, and therefore creates a humid environment inside the pillow, which is conducive to the proliferation of bacteria. In contact with the skin, all night long, these bacteria will over-inflame the skin and aggravate the acne. It is therefore essential to avoid cotton pillowcases, and to replace them with pillowcases that are naturally antibacterial. This is where silk comes in. Silk is a natural antibacterial fiber. Made from the thread of the silk cocoon, the cocoon protects the butterfly in the making: it protects it from bacteria. The anti-bacterial activity of silk has been proven. By sleeping on a silk pillowcase, the over-inflammation due to bacteria proliferating in cotton is limited.
It should be noted that for a good use of silk, it must be washed regularly: approximately every week.

Regarding acne retention, silk is scientifically and medically recognized for its antimicrobial, antioxidant (related to inflammation) and regenerative properties for the skin. The silk pillowcase takes care of your skin all night long. Silk prevents the appearance of minor blemishes and helps regulate acne by reducing excess oil, leaving the skin resting and breathing on a more hygienic surface.

First tip: use a silk pillowcase for its antibacterial properties that will reduce the inflammatory effect of acne.

Soothe your stress, reduce your anxiety level with aromatherapy and aromachology

The second lever on which you can act is your stress level. There are many ways to do this: meditation, sophrology, etc. and we suggest aromatherapy and aromachology in particular.

Aromatherapy is a natural medicine that uses the therapeutic and fragrant properties of aromatic plants to treat or prevent illness. It deals with physical symptoms as well as psychological symptoms.

It is complementary toaromachology, which is defined as the science of studying the relationship between odors and the behavior, mood and psyche of individuals. Aromachology concerns the positive effects of aromas and olfaction on the psychology of individuals: emotions, mood, behavior, etc. Both approaches have been the subject of numerous medical and pharmaceutical studies, as well as Nobel prizes.

This research has demonstrated the calming and soothing effects of several essential oils, including sweet orange, bergamot, patchouli, chamomile, and vetiver. Smelling and smelling these aromatic ingredients sends a calming message to the brain that reduces stress levels.

While stress can lead to recurring acne breakouts, it can also cause the condition to persist. In addition to causing hormonal changes and acne breakouts, stress can also affect your immune system, which can make your skin more prone to infections and blemishes.

Second tip: Use pillow mists (preferably natural) containing soothing aromatic actives from aromatherapy and aromachology. This will lower your stress level before bed, potentially allowing you to give your skin a significant amount of time to regenerate without putting it under a lot of stress.

Eating right: the basis for balanced skin

It can't be said enough, but food has a very strong impact on our skin. Too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt, even too much alcohol, these are the four terrible conditions that promote acne. Chocolate spread in excess, cold cuts, wines, all this may make your taste buds tingle, but it is bad for your skin. A healthy and balanced diet will allow you, in the long term, to maintain the right conditions to limit acne.

A healthy diet is an essential part of reducing the effects of stress on the body and skin. Include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and plenty of water in your daily diet. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which lower your insulin and can exacerbate the effects of stress on the body and skin. Also, make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated and acne-free.
To have a diet rich in fiber, protein, vegetables and sugar, balance the food categories and get the right balance of all three. Legumes are also important, as they provide fiber, antioxidants and vitamins. The goal is to eat foods that not only taste good, but are also good for your health.

Tip #3: Eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and essential fatty acids, can help your skin get rid of acne in a few days.

Choose your cosmetics: avoid comedogenic ingredients

If you want to get rid of acne, you need to be careful with your skin care products. These products should not clog your pores. It is also advisable to avoid products that contain alcohol or gasoline.
The term comedogenic means that the product clogs the pores of the skin. Comedogenic ingredients can be found in many products. Some ingredients such as avocado, argan, camellia, acetylated lanolin, certain dyes and synthetic fragrances are particularly comedogenic. The accumulation of silicones would also be an aggravating factor of the comedogenic effect: dimethicone, and other examples Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone Polysiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethylpolysiloxane, Dimethiconol, Phenyldimethylpolysioxane, etc
Finally, sunscreens can also have an occlusive effect: the higher the sun protection, the greater the occlusive effect.

Fourth tip: try to avoid comedogenic cosmetic products that clog the skin's pores

Pollution, a source of skin problems

One of the causes of skin problems, including acne, is pollution. Accumulated pollutants can alter the skin's lipid film, which serves as a protective barrier. Lipids also affect the sebum secreted by the skin, which becomes unproductive as a protective agent. In this case, the sebum settles on the skin surface, where it becomes an aggravating factor in acne.

Various sources of pollution are responsible for the degeneration of the skin. Air pollutants come from a variety of sources, including agriculture and heating systems. These pollutants can be transported over great distances and even reach remote areas. They are found in the ice of Antarctica. These pollutants affect the overall quality of the skin. Skin pollution is therefore an important issue to address.
By implementing a beauty routine with a skin cleansing in the morning, and a skin cleansing in the evening, with an adapted cosmetic product, will allow to rid the skin of the polluting agents to which it will have been exposed during the day or night.