Submit your skincare questions to Dr. Agnes, CEO of Herborium and natural medicine expert
Do you want to learn the basic facts regarding women’s acne, treatments, natural remedies, diet, lifestyle, and hormonal influences? We put it at your fingertips. Just read our Q&A and make it the first step on your road for a clear, beautiful complexion.
Sponsored by www.acnease.com
Acne is a manifestation of the internal imbalance that results in skin sebaceous glands producing too much skin oil (sebum). In time mixing with dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria which results in clogged pores and inflammation. Acne may be facilitated by hormonal imbalance, lifestyle (stress and wrong makeup products or even genetics, some diseases and medications).
Hormonal changes increase androgens (male hormones) production. They overstimulate sebaceous glands boosting oil production and causing acne breakouts (hormonal acne usually manifests itself on the jawline and chin).
Is acne linked to internal hormonal imbalance, shifts and changes. Hormonal breakouts are often deep and cystic. Hormonal acne frequently appears around the lower parts of the face.
Yes! Stress raises cortisol, the “stress hormone” that not only makes our body ready to fight the causes of stress but unfortunately also overstimulates oil glands and worsens inflammation.
Absolutely, family history plays a role in acne susceptibility. However, there are many people who have no clear genetic predisposition to acne and yet still suffer from acne, 80% of all people will suffer from acne at the sometime of their lives.
High-glycemic (sugary) foods spike insulin and hormones, worsening acne. Choose low-GI meals! Bonus: sugar also ages the skin through the process called glycation.
Poor sleep, poor hygiene, smoking, alcohol, harsh skincare, and sugary diets can all aggravate acne.
It is an UNHEALTHY MITH to postpone acne treatment until it becomes severe or chronic. If you wait too long- your skin may already be permanently damaged by acne scars and marks. Start treatment RIGHT AWAY when you see breakouts. The faster you start – the faster you will be acne free and the easier the road to treat it will be.
Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and topical antibiotics may be effective as adjunct treatments, but they do not impact the causes of acne.
Most of oral medications for acne are so called “off label” which means they were developed to treat other diseases so they may have some adverse effects and do not provide a permanent result. Most common are Spironolactone, oral contraceptives, antibiotics, and isotretinoin. They all have some short-term and long-term safety issues and possible side effects so they should be used cautiously and under the guidance of a physician.
Yes—there are some over the counter topical and systemic ( www.acnease.com) products that help with acne. Products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acid and adapalene may help with symptoms of mild acne. For the moderate to severe acne however the systemic specially targeted oral solution may be better. https://www.acnease.com/produc...
Gentle cleansing, exfoliation, and non-comedogenic moisturizers help manage breakouts.
Chemical peels, light therapy, and steroid injections can complement acne treatments but are not cheap, sometimes painful and mostly not covered by insurance.
Balanced diet, stress control, and proper skincare boost results.
Most of prescriptive acne treatments are not safe before, during and even after pregnancy (if mother nurses the baby). Avoid retinoids and isotretinoin; antibiotics or any hormonal treatment. The systemic herbal treatment AcnEase (acnease.com) is safe since it doesn’t affect hormones. Topical azelaic acid and mild benzoyl peroxide are safe too but may be not so effective.
4–8 weeks for topicals (but acne usually returns after 4-10 weeks[ for oral meds the time depends on severity of acne but it may vary from m 3-10 weeks.
PCOS raises androgen blood levels and, as a result, increases probability, frequency and severity of acne.
Preventive, preferably - natural supplements that reduce oily skin and calm inflammation, combined with consistent skincare, healthy diet, stress management, and regular checkups.
AcnEase a proprietary blend of tested herbs treats existing acne and prevents new pimples from coming, Tea tree oil, aloe vera and honey mask, zinc based ointment, soothe and fight bacteria.
Low sugar foods, higher intake of omega-3s, non- saturated fats and probiotics, and limiting fried and greasy food - may help.
Intense and prolong workouts can spike testosterone (male hormone) and cortisol—that stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Cleanse post-exercise! Use MODERATION!