An estimated 80% of people experience teen acne and this common skin condition is a totally normal part of growing up. Teenagers can experience acne to varying degrees, ranging from a few blackheads and pimples to painful cysts that can leave permanent scars.
Despite being such a common condition, teen acne can have a major impact on confidence levels and self-esteem. If you’ve experienced teenage acne, you’ll understand how upsetting it can be and how tempting it is to turn to drastic measures and harsh treatments to get rid of spots.
As well as looking at the best natural skin care ingredients for teens with acne, we also reveal some of the most common acne myths and misconceptions.
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Top natural ingredients for teen acne
Here are five natural anti-blemish powerhouse ingredients to look for when selecting the best skin care for teen acne:
1. Willow Bark
Willow Bark is a rich source of naturally occurring salicylic acid, which has long been used to enhance skin cell turnover, to smooth the skin and balance the skin’s natural sebum production.
Willow Bark extract offers the same benefits as salicylic acid, but unlike synthetic versions used in mainstream anti-blemish products, it does not irritate or dry out your skin.
It is naturally anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce redness and calm angry spots. It also has a powerful action against acne-forming bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes, which helps to prevent future breakouts.
2. Tea Tree
Tea Tree is a very effective natural anti-blemish ingredient and has long been used to treat acne and infection, thanks to its strong antibacterial properties.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, Tea Tree oil is just as effective as benzyl peroxide at treating acne, but has fewer side effects.
Using pure Tea Tree oil may be too harsh for people with sensitive skin, so we recommend choosing products that contain Tea Tree as part of an expert blend of natural actives.
3. Prebiotics
Compared to adult skin, teenage skin typically produces more sebum, the substance that acne bacteria feed on.
An overgrowth of acne bacteria upsets the delicate skin balance, restricts the growth of healthy, beneficial bacteria and can lead to a range of acne symptoms including blackheads, pustules and cysts.
To counteract acne-causing bacteria, you need to increase the number of beneficial bacteria on the skin. Prebiotics feed and support the growth of beneficial bacteria, restrict bad bacteria and help to restore a clear complexion with a healthy balance
4. Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel extract is produce by steam distillation of the twigs and leaves of the Witch Hazel tree and has very effective astringent properties, helping to refine your pores, control excess oil and help prevent new blemishes from forming.
Witch Hazel also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce the size of existing spots and calm angry breakouts.
5. Green Tea
Green Tea isn’t just for drinking, it’s also the ideal ingredient in skin care for teens with acne. Green Tea is rich in powerful antioxidants that protect the skin against oxidative damage and help to reduce inflammation of the skin.
When sebum undergoes oxidative damage, this can lead to clogged pores and blackheads, so by reducing oxidative stress, Green Tea can help to prevent blackheads and pimples from forming.
Natural products for teens with acne
Organic Young (Oy!) by Green People is a range of natural anti-blemish skin care products created for teens with acne. Using a synergistic blend of all five natural actives mentioned above, Oy! products help to break the cycle of spots and give teens clear skin confidence.
This complete range of natural skin care for teens with acne includes an organic cleanser, serum, moisturiser and concealer, as well as a natural deodorant with a powerful antibacterial action.
Acne myths and misconceptions
Myth 1 - ‘acne is caused by poor hygiene’
Having good hygiene is important for maintaining healthy skin, but acne can affect anyone, even those with a meticulous skin care regime.
The exact cause of teen acne is unknown, but we do know that it occurs when excess androgen hormones cause oil glands in your pores to overproduce oil or sebum. When there is too much sebum, pores become blocked, forming the ideal environment for acne-causing bacteria to grow and cause infection, leading to breakouts.
Myth 2 - ‘spots need to be dried out’
Conventional anti-blemish skin care products often contain harsh chemicals, such as alcohol, SLS and benzyl peroxide that dry out your skin. While this may help reduce existing breakouts, it can lead to a frustrating cycle of spots.
Drying your skin with harsh products strips away its natural, beneficial oils and damages your skin’s protective layer, called the acid mantle. This disruption causes your skin to overcompensate by producing even more oil as it tries to rebalance itself, which leads to clogged pores and more spots. Managing breakouts with nourishing, natural skin care products that help to restore a natural sebum balance is a more effective long-term solution against spots.
Myth 3 - ‘antibiotics cure acne’
Taking antibiotics may reduce acne symptoms in the short term, but they do not address the underlying internal imbalances and may actually worsen acne in the long-term.
Rather than taking antibiotics, you may find that a probiotic supplement does more to help with teen acne. Gut health is increasingly linked with skin health and probiotics support the healthy bacteria that live in the gut, restoring balance and helping the body to eliminate toxins effectively.
Do you or someone you know suffer with troublesome teenage acne? Break the cycle of spots for good with Green People’s Oy! range of certified organic, naturally effective skin care for teens.
