Acne is one of the most frustrating things you can deal with. It lowers your self-confidence, stops you from getting out of the house and can even be quite painful. There are many different things that can cause acne and it’s important to find the root cause. Having an idea of what is causing your acne can help you figure out how you should be trying to fix it. Your inner health is reflected by your outer health and skin can be an indicator of the issues you need to tackle within your body! Whether you’ve been suffering with acne for a while or it suddenly popped up out of nowhere, these next tips and tricks are going to help you conquer it! 

Identify Your Acne 

There are 6 main types of acne that you could be experiencing, which one best describes yours? 

Whiteheads and Blackheads 

These common pimples appear as inflamed, small white and black bumps on the skin. They occur when the pores are clogged by excess oil, bacteria or skin cells. They typically appear around the T zone, where you sweat and produce the most oil. They can also appear in the hairline, caused by products and oils you put into your hair. You probably find yourself squeezing blackheads all the time but try to refrain from this! Any pimple popping can cause scarring.  

Treatment: Because these pimples are a result of inflammation on the skin, they can be treated with over-the-counter topical treatments. Good news for those of you who enjoy naturals medicines, there are a few remedies you can make yourself at home! 

• Tea tree oil: This oil is both an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. You can apply it directly to the skin and leave it overnight.  
• Honey: Not only is it delicious but it’s a great antibacterial! Warm up the honey in the microwave and apply to the skin to let it sink in. 
• Apple cider vinegar: As it is very acidic, it can dry up and shrink the pores in the skin. It can reduce inflammation and has anti-microbial properties. Dilute the substance in warm water and apply to the affected area. 

Papules and Pustules 

These pimples are also caused by oil and skin cells clogging the pores. Before it turns into a pimple, you can feel the bumps underneath the skin. When it ruptures, it turns into the inflamed pimple you look at in the mirror. Then, when this fills with pus after a few days, it’s called a pustule. These can appear across the jawline and lower cheeks. These are common to experience in your teenage years, especially in women who have hormone fluctuations. These can occur due to excess activity of androgens (the male hormones).  

Treatments: 

Over the last decade, it’s become a common practice to place young women on birth control to manage this acne. However, it’s important to remember that this typically isn’t the cure, this is a temporary solution. Birth control can have many different side effects and symptoms so be sure to weigh up the pros and cons before taking birth control for your acne. 

• Antibiotics: It is common for doctors to prescribe topical antibiotics as they can help kill excess bacteria on the skin and reduce inflammation and redness.  
• Over the counter creams: Retinoids can help reduce inflammation and aid in regulating cell growth 
• Diet changes: The gut can play a huge part in your skin health. If you’re eating sugary and greasy foods all the time, your skin will definitely show it. Try becoming more mindful of your diet and introduce nutrient dense meals, packed with whole foods and veggies.  
• Supplements for women: If your acne flares up at certain phases of your menstrual cycle, you can try implementing a hormone support supplement. Natural and herbal medicines are commonly being incorporated into modern supplements, which can be of great benefit. 

Cysts and Nodules 

Cysts and nodules can be extremely painful and irritating. Cystic acne is severe and can be extremely persistent. They are large, inflamed, painful and pus-filled. They feel deeper in the skin and can appear on your back, shoulders and face. For anyone that experiences this type of acne, you understand just how much it can impact your daily routine. It can destroy your self-esteem and be very painful to manage. This acne can improve with age, however, if you suffer with hormone imbalances as an adult, you can still develop cystic acne.  

Treatments: There’s nothing wrong with seeking a bit of extra support. Reach out to your GP and you can be referred to a dermatologist. These skin specialists will examine your skin and put you on the best form of treatment for your specific conditions. Although these medications can have some pretty gnarly side effects, if you’ve been suffering with cystic acne, you’re probably keen to give anything a go. 

As a rule of thumb, before you begin a series of medical treatments, try your best to eat a healthy and balanced diet, maintain clean and fresh skin and keep a consistent skincare routine. You’d be surprised how much of a difference these small changes in your lifestyle can have! When you nourish your inner health, your outer appearance will show it.