Myths Surrounding Acne Part 3

For years, several factors were commonly accepted as causes of acne.  However, research in recent

years has either disproven the correlation between these factors and acne, or failed to prove a link.  Among the more prevalent "Myths" relative to the causes of acne are:

Cleanliness
Acne is not caused by poor hygiene and cannot be remedied by excessive scrubbing or washing.  In fact, doing so could actually worsen acne symptoms.  Furthermore, there is no correlation between acne severity and skin bacteria numbers.

Chocolate / Greasy Foods
The notion that eating chocolate or greasy foods will cause acne has been passed down for decades; yet, no evidence exists to support this claim.  The caveat to this statement is that those with milk allergies (lactose intolerance) may react to the milk found in chocolate.  In this case, chocolate has the potential to cause acne as the body interprets the presence of milk as a toxin.

Stress
The relationship between acne and stress remains controversial.  Most studies do not support a direct correlation.  However, during times of stress the body produces cortisol, which can stimulate sebum production,, a factor involved in the development of acne.  Additionally, stress may interfere with sleep quality and general health, which may indirectly influence the development of acne symptoms.

Make Up
While makeup does not have the capacity to directly cause acne, some makeup products may dry out the skin, which increases its susceptibility to the condition.  For this reason, it is recommended that only non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic makeup products be used.

Facial Steaming
Repeated exposure to steam may worsen acne by increasing inflammation, but it does not cause it.  Occasional steaming to remove comedones is acceptable.

Acne Treatment

What follows are some of the over-the-counter substances, including some homeopathic ingredients, which are beneficial in the fight against acne.  While none of them address all four causes of acne alone, ingredients such as these may be combined in a single formulation or within product families to offer a complete solution to not only control symptoms but to also help regulate the factors that cause the disease. 

Ingredients to address follicular keratinization (sticky dead skin cells)

 Retinyl Propionate

Retinoids, a form of Vitamin A, have long been used successfully in acne treatments.  In fact, tretinoin, an acid form of Vitamin A, is one of the most prescribed acne remedies today.  In over-the-counter skincare products, retinol, the alcohol form of Vitamin A, is often used.  However, in some individuals it is irritating to the skin.

Retinyl propionate, a storage form of Vitamin A that concentrates in the epidermis, is less irritating, and it's been found beneficial in improving acne.  For example, a recent study intended to show retinyl propionate's effects or sun-damaged skin instead demonstrated a near complete reduction in acne among the study participants who suffered from the disease.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is the smallest, molecularity, of all the alpha hydroxy acids and can, therefore penetrate easily between cells to loosen dead skin, remove cell buildup inside the hair follicle, and open clogged poors, comedones, and other reactions in oily areas.  Continued use helps keep dead skin cells from accumulating on the follicle wall, thus preventing inflammatory acne lesions.  A recent study showed products with glycolic acid significantly reduced conedones, papules, and pustules and reduced the size of pores while rejuvenating skin texture.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, works to soften and exfoliate the dead skin of the dermis layer.  By opening clogged pores, salicylic acid helps to reestablish the normal skin cell renewal cycle.  Comparative studies of salicylic acid have shown it to be superior even to benzoyl peroxide in reducing the total number of acne lesions.

Salicylic acid is further beneficial in the treatment of acne due to its antimicrobial properties, which kill acne bacteria. 

Ingredients to address excess sebum production

Zinc Pyrithione

An antibacterial and antifungal agent developed in the 1930s, zinc pyrithione works to stop the growth of certain bacteria on the skin, including P.acnes.  Due to its ability to regulate sebum production, it is beneficial in the treatment of acne and is further used to treat scalp disorders, such as dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

Sulfur

One of only a handful of over-the-counter acne treatments is secure FDA approval, sulfur is among the oldest medicines still in use.  In the treatment of acne, it reduces oil gland activity and dissolves the skin's surface layer of dry, dead cells.  Additionally, it inhibits the growth of P.acnes.

Among the research related to sulfur's use in the treatment of acne, one study demonstrated that sulfur lotion reduced acne symptoms by 83% after 12 weeks of treatment.

Niacinamide

Also known as Vitamin B3, niaccinamide decreases the production of a fatty acid (triglyceride) in the sebaceous glands.  Therefore, it is capable of reducing sebum excretion rates and overall sebum levels.  Additionally, niacinamide acts as a potent anti-inflammatory.

Vitamin D

Acquired by the body both from the diet, and by exposure to sunlight (hence it's nickname of "Vitamin of the sun"), vitamin D reduces the size of sabacious glands, thereby reducing the sebum that becomes trapped in clogged pores.  Evidence has suggested that acne may be caused by a Vitamin D deficiency. 

Ingredients to Address Colonization of P. Acnes

Benzoyl Peroxide

A potent antiseptic, benzoyl peroxide is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the treatment of acne.  It is effective at eliminating P. acnes and reduces the quantity of comedones.  An added bonus -- benzoyl peroxide doesn't promote antibacterial resistance, as can happen with the use of prescription antibiotics.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Clinical grade suggested only)

The most versatile essential oil found  in nature, eucalyptus oil has been used for sinus relief, sore throats, as a topical antiseptic for skin injuries, and as an inhalant for asthma and other respiratory conditions.  It has proven effective in the treatment of acne due to its antiseptic properties, as well as its ability to inhibit the growth of P. acnes.  However, in all good consciousness, I can only recommend an essential oil that follows the highest grade level of Research quality, that is tested more than other brands to prove it's purity, and is the only one able to be recognized by the world Researchers as a true clinical grade essential oil.  This is found through Ameo under the Zija International company.  http://ClinicalGradeEssentialOils.myameo.com  

Tea Tree Essential Oil (Clinical grade suggested only)

Extracted from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternafolia tree, topical application of tea tree oil helps to reduce bacteria on the skin, lessens inflammation, and generally improves the symptoms of acne.  In fact, a study comparing tea tree oil to the use of benzoyl peroxide demonstrated improvements among patients in both groups, while those using tea tree oil reported fewer side effects (stinging, itching, burning, and dryness - NOT found using tea tree).  In all good consciousness, I can only recommend an essential oil that follows the highest grade level of Research quality, that is tested more than other brands to prove it's purity, and is the only one able to be recognized by the world Researchers as a true clinical grade essential oil.  This is found through Ameo under the Zija International company.  

http://ClinicalGradeEssentialOils.myameo.com  

Ingredients to Address Inflammation

Aloe Vera

 A plethora of research exists to demonstrate aloe vera's potent anti-inflammatory abilities.  Of the more than two hundred active components in aloe, it contains salicylic acid and sterols, both of which work to inhibit inflammation.  Aloe also has antimicrobial properties and is, therefore, beneficial in helping control P. acnes.  Once again, there is a skincare product line that uses only a clinical medical grade of aloe vera as the base, not water, in all their products.  This is grown in the USA, is Organic, and is the same aloe vera used in healing skin from burns and skin graphs.  You can find this through TreSkinRX products at 

http://my.treskinrx.com/AmazingAloe

To also aid your body, you're able to get a highest grade of aloe vera juice through NeoLife at
http://neolife.com/en-us/home/
Sponsor #32-260985

Arnica
Commonly referred to as "leopard's bane," the arnica flower has been used in homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years.  Arnica features anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and aids in healing of topical skin wounds.  

Bisabolol
A colorless viscous oil derived from chamomile, biabolol has anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in reducing the potential for scar formation caused by acne.

I'll be following with a final blog part 4, about Acne.