Synopsis of Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells, leading to inflammation, pimples, blackheads, or cysts. It typically appears on the face, chest, back, and shoulders, areas with high concentrations of sebaceous glands. Acne is most common during puberty due to hormonal changes but can occur at any age. The severity ranges from mild blackheads and whiteheads to painful cystic lesions that can cause scarring.
Types:
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Comedonal acne: Characterized by non-inflammatory blackheads and whiteheads.
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Inflammatory acne: Red, swollen pimples (papules) and pus-filled lesions (pustules).
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Cystic acne: Deep, painful nodules or cysts under the skin that may scar.
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Hormonal acne: Often appears along the jawline and chin, linked to hormonal fluctuations.
Common Causes:
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Excess oil production (sebum): Overactive sebaceous glands contribute to clogged pores.
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Clogged hair follicles: Dead skin cells and oil block follicles, trapping bacteria.
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Bacterial growth: Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) contributes to inflammation.
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Hormonal fluctuations: Androgens (male hormones) increase sebum production during puberty, menstruation, or hormonal disorders like PCOS.
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Diet: High glycemic index foods, dairy, and processed foods may contribute to breakouts in some individuals.
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Stress: Can trigger hormonal changes that exacerbate acne.
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Certain medications: Corticosteroids, lithium, and some birth control pills can worsen acne.
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Cosmetic products: Oily or comedogenic skincare and makeup products can clog pores.
More Severe Causes (Complications):
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Cystic or nodular acne: Causes deep skin inflammation, often leading to scarring.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Dark spots remain after acne lesions heal.
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Emotional distress: Severe acne can impact self-esteem, leading to anxiety or depression.
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Infection or abscess formation: If acne lesions become severely inflamed.
When to See a Doctor:
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Acne persists despite over-the-counter treatments
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Severe cystic acne develops
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Acne leads to scarring or dark spots
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Emotional well-being is impacted by acne
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Suspected hormonal imbalances (e.g., PCOS-related acne)
Natural remedies for Acne
Tea Tree Oil (Diluted): Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that target acne-causing bacteria. Apply diluted (5%) tea tree oil to affected areas once or twice daily.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera soothes inflammation and promotes healing of irritated skin. Apply pure aloe gel to the skin twice daily.
Honey Mask: Raw honey has antibacterial properties and helps reduce redness and irritation. Apply as a thin layer on the skin, leave for 15–20 minutes, and rinse off.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Toner: ACV has antimicrobial properties and helps restore skin’s natural pH. Dilute ACV with water (1:3 ratio) and apply lightly with a cotton pad.
Green Tea Compress: Green tea contains polyphenols that reduce inflammation and sebum production. Steep green tea, let cool, and apply to the skin using a cloth.
Zinc Supplementation: Zinc reduces inflammation and may decrease acne severity. Oral supplementation (under guidance) or topical zinc formulations can be used.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s help regulate inflammation and support skin health. Increase dietary sources like fish oil or flaxseed.
Dietary Adjustments: Reducing dairy, sugar, and processed foods may help lower acne flare-ups in some individuals. Increase anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Acne
Ajoene
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
berberine
berry flavor
biotin
bisabolol
black cumin
burdock
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
chlorophyll
colostrum
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
DIM (diindolylmethane)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
evening primrose oil
garlic bulb
ginseng
green tea
hemp oil
honeysuckle
L-cystine
L-methionine
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lavender
licorice root
melatonin
monolaurin
niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oregon grape
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
phenolic compounds
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
purified silver
scrophularia root
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
tomato
trypsin
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
seaweed
zinc
shen-chu
neem tree
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
chrysanthemum
morinda
oriental arborvitae
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
fulvic acid
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-HTP (test)
Ash
Amber
Apple Cider Vinegar
Acetic acid
Aloe Polysaccharide
American Basil
Argan tree
Aldimine
Alpha-terpineol
Azelaic acid
Aloe Polysaccharide
Aga
Allicin
Auricularia
Abrus
Andrographolide
Aloe vera
Almond Oil
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Allantoin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Algae
Amino Acid (unspecified)
African Basil
Asteracea
Aloe
Ajoene
Allyl Sulfide
Alpha-pinene
Apple Acid (unspecified)
Alliin
Avian (unspecified)
Argan nut oil
Anemarrhena
Allium tuberosum
Ash (unspecified)
Aster (unspecified)
Alantolactone
Anti-aromatase
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bentonite
Brassica oleracea (unspecified)
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Brassica
Burdock
Blackboard tree
Blue-Green Algae
Bisabolene
Bisabolol
Bee hive
berry
Birch (unspecified)
Blue Wiss
Blue-Green Algae
Banyan
Brewer's Yeast
Black Seed Oil
Bee products
Berries (unspecified)
Brassica (unspecified)
Blend (combination)
blend (herb/botanical)
Blue-Green Alage
Biotin
benzyl isothiocyanate
Blue Green Algae
Bassia scoparia
Balsam pear
Blend (combination)
Coconut
Caryophyllene
Calendula
Colostrum
Copaiba balsam
Colostrum
Colloidal Silver
Chlorophyllin
Chickweed
coconut oil
Colloid
Carvacrol
Calcium Ascorbate
Cocoa Butter
Curcuminoid
Chlorophyll
Curcuma aromatica
Commiphora gileadensis
Chinese Raisintree
Cannabigerolic acid
Chlorophyll
Curcumen
cloves
Curcuminoid (unspecified)
Curcuminoids
Citral
Carrot
Centipeda
Chrysanthemum (unspecified)
Common madia
Curcuma
coconut oil
Carrot oil
chrysanthemum
Carotene (unspecified)
Copper
Chinatree
Citrus (mixed)
Cytokines
Coconut
Castile Soap
Chlorophyllin
Chinese Cucumber
Cystine
Capsules
Ceramides
Carthamus
Copaiba Oil
Chinese Ash
Clerodendrum indicum
Color
Crioceras
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Chrysophanics
Dianthus
Docosanoic acid
Dendroxine
David's Milkberry
Diterpenes
Epidermal Growth Factor
Emulsion
Eclipta
EGCG
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
Epidermal Growth Factor
EGCG
Essential oil (unspecified)
Essential Oil Blend
Evening Primrose Oil
Ethyl Linoleate
evening primrose oil
Esein
esters (unspecified)
Eugenol
Elastase
Evening Primrose oil
Estrogen
Fruit
Flavonoid
Flavonoid (mixture)
Flosin B
Fatty acids
Flavonoid (unspecified)
Fruit (unspecified)
Ficin
fibroblast growth factors
Flavonoid (mixture)
Fruit acid (mixed)
Fruit acid (unspecified)
Flavor/Color (Natural & Artificial)
fibroblast growth factor
Gallic Acid
Geraniol
Glycolic acid
Glyceryl monolaurate
gamma-terpinene
Growth factors
Gallate
Globulins
Glyceryl monolaurate
Geranial
Glycerol monolaureate
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Glabridin
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Hedyotis (unspecified)
Hedyotis diffusa
Honey
Heal-All
Honey
Hydrocolloid
Herbal Blend
Henna
Hemp oil
Himalaya Berry
Hyaluronic Acid
Hemp
Huang Hua
Isothiocyanate
Indian Gooseberry
Isatis
Immortelle
Ilex asprella
Indian Chrysanthemum
Indian Fagonia
Jojoba Oil
jojoba
Japanese Honeysuckle
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
Kurtha zopfil
Lactobacillus plantarum
Litsea
L-Cystine
Linoleic Acid
L-Methionine
Licorice
Lichen
Lichen Oil
Lactoperoxidase
Lauric acid
L-Cysteine
Limonene
Lactic Acid
Lipids (unspecified)
Lauric acid
Lysozyme
Lactobacillus
Lactoperoxidase
Labdanum
Mangosteen
mineral (unspecified)
Moringa
Macadamia Oil
Marine Protein
Melia
Monoterpenes
Morinda (unspecified)
Mangostin
Momordica
Mahonia
Marine colloids
Marking Nut Tree
Niacinamide ascorbate
Neoandrographolides
Neem
Naphthoquinones
Nigella Seed
Nicotinamide
Naphthoquinone (unspecified)
oregano
Olive Oil
Oat Oil
Oregon Grape
Octyl Glycerate
Propolis
Propionibacterium shermanii
peptides (unspecified)
Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Phenylpropanoids
Propionibacterium shermani
Pentacyclic alkaloids
Peptide (unspecified)
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Peptides (unspecified)
Phenolics (unspecified)
Phlorotannins
Proanthocyanidins
Papaya
Protein
Pink Root
Probiotics
Peptide
Pomegranate Oil
Pansit-pansitan
Provence Rose
Polyphenols (unspecified)
Phellodendron Bark
polyphenols (various)
Peptide (unspecified)
Papayotin
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Phenolic (unspecified)
phenolics (various)
Phodymprhenia pertusa
Peptides
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Red Sandalwood
Resin
Rose water
Squalene
Sichuan Pagoda Tree
Sophora
Streptomyces
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Serralysin
Sphaerotrichia
Shikonin
Self-Heal
Spirulina
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Silk protein
Streptococcus (mixed)
Streptococcus (unspecified)
Soapberry
Sesquiterpene
Sea Buckthorn
Sphaeranthus indicus
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Seaweed (unspecified)
Sodium Ascorbate
Stellaria dichotoma
Silver
Sulfur
Sandy Everlasting
Smoketree
Sulfur compounds (unspecified)
Sulphur
Thyme
Terpenoids
Terpene
Thymoquinone
Terpinen-4-ol
Tyrosinase
Tree Turmeric
Thuja
Thiosulfanate
Triterpenes
Thymol
Terpenoid (unspecified)
Tea Tree
Tomato
Tea Oil Plant
Tea Polyphenol
Terpene (unspecified)
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Ursane-type triterpenoid
Vitamin B5
Vitamin C (Ascorbate)
Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
Vitamin A (retinol acetate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A cetate)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate)
Vitamin A (retinol)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin B5 (mixed)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl)
Vitamin A (retinyl not specified)
Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate)
Vitamin C (unspecified)
Vitamin C (mixed)
Vitamin C (ascorbic palmitate)
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (not specified)
Vitamin A (vitamin A Palmitate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A acetate)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate)
Vitamin B3 (unspecified)
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
Vitamin A (mixed)
Violet
Vitamin B3
Vitamin E (vitamin E acetate)
Vitamin A (unspecified)
Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate)
Vitamin C
Violet (unspecified)
Viola
Vitricin
White Tea
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Xanthorrhizol
Zinc L-Carnosine
Zinc lipoic acid
Zinc Ascorbate
Zinc Picolinate
Zinc osporotate
Zinc Yeast
Zinc
Zinc
Zinc alpha-ketoglutarate
Zinc carnosine
Zinc magnesium aspartate
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