Our ultimate guide for treating acne at home

Let’s be honest – acne is one of life’s most inexplicably embarrassing afflictions. It’s not like you asked to have it happen to you, but somehow it’s still absolutely mortifying to walk around with uncontrollable breakouts. And it’s not just limited to us ordinary folks either; celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Katy Perry, local muso Lady Zamar and Vuzu presenter Lalla Hirayama have all had their fair share of acne-related woes. 

We checked in with Jani Visser, a holistic skincare therapist from Lyftaal Beauty Spa in Paarl, to find out what you should do if you want to treat acne at home.

Understand what causes acne

“Hormonal imbalance is the main cause of all types of acne. This happens when there is an imbalance in your progesterone/oestrogen ratio in the body,” explains Jani.

“In some cases, it can be caused by the use of skincare products that contain comedogenic ingredients (i.e. ingredients that tend to clog pores). This includes ingredients like coconut oil, so it's not always the chemical components that are at fault. It varies from one person to another – some people can use coconut oil on their skin without any issues, while others will immediately break out.”

According to Jani, another mistake is using products that are not suitable to treat your skin type. For instance, the product might be too harsh or it could contain a type of Vitamin C that triggers breakouts. If a person has a predisposition towards congestion, these external factors can also play a role over and above the hormonal influences.

Get to grips with the pathways of elimination 

Understanding the pathways of bodily elimination is another important step towards treating acne in a holistic way. “There are four important pathways of elimination, i.e. the way the body gets rid of toxins, namely the liver, the large intestine, the lymphatic system and the skin,” says Jani. 

“Usually it starts with the first three, with the skin representing the last and largest organ of elimination. If for some reason (normally genetic, or lifestyle-related), the main three pathways are not functioning optimally, it will show on your skin because the excess progesterone and oestrogen are not being broken down sufficiently and the skin is struggling to pick up the slack. This will be visible in the form of a breakout.” 

Address hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances are caused by things happening within the body. According to Jani, this could be one of many different things, including: 

●    Micronutrient deficiency. Your liver needs certain micronutrients to function properly and therefore process toxins in order to detox the skin and body in general. 
●    Compromised barrier function. The skin's barrier function can be disturbed for a number of reasons, including a deficiency in essential fatty acids due to an improper diet; or the use of skincare products or treatments that strip the skin of its barrier or alter the pH by impacting the skin's microbiome. Overexposure to the sun is another cause.
●    Inflammation. Inflammation is always linked to acne. Even if you only have Level 1 acne (comedones and a few papules) there is a certain level of inflammation present. 
●    Compromised gut health. If your internal bacteria are out of balance it affects the overall immunity of your body, which predisposes you to inflammation, which leads to acne. 
What can you do at home? 
“Give the body building blocks to balance itself. Support your body holistically by improving your lifestyle,” says Jani. This includes: 
●    Focussing on your gut health. Invest in a good probiotic and eat plenty of raw fruit and veggies. Bone broth contains glutamines and L-cysteine that help to repair the gut. 
●    Upping your intake of essential fatty acids. Omega 3 and 6 are key if you want to improve the condition of your skin. You can find it naturally in oily fish, flaxseed oil etc., or choose a good supplement. Cod liver oil is another good source. 
●    Supporting the liver. You can do so by ensuring that you ingest sufficient Vitamin C, zinc, selenium, Vitamin B complex. Tip: Leafy greens are the liver's best friend! Add it to salads, smoothies, etc. 
●    Choosing your skin products with care. Consult with a therapist to find a skincare range that addresses your particular skin concern and is gentle enough not to strip your skin of its natural microbiome. 
●    Improving your water intake. This supports the organs of elimination. Steer clear of alcohol and caffeine, which place strain on the liver. 
●    Lessening your intake of processed foods. This includes refined carbs and sugars that cause fluctuation of your insulin levels, which is bad for your body in general and is also known to cause acne flareups specifically. 
●    Decreasing your intake of animal proteins. The digestion of red meat places a lot of strain on the body, which leads to inflammation. Commercially farmed proteins (including fish, eggs, chicken, pork, beef, etc.) contain a lot of antibiotics that are used to keep feedlot animals healthy in cramped conditions; which in turn impacts on your internal flora. When you do consume animal products, ensure that they are organic and sustainably sourced. 
●    Curbing your intake of dairy. Dairy products contain growth hormones even when they’re from an organic source. Because of this, they can throw our own hormones out of whack. 

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