Natural treatments can be in the form of lotions, creams, home made products or even herbal formulations. Below listed are some ingredients, which can be procured from a herbalist and made to use for treating acne.

Echinacea and tea tree oil are the very common natural herbal remedies known for treating acne and is available widely. Echinacea and Oregon grape can help in increasing the immune system of the body. While tea tree oil consists of terpenoids, which is known for its antifungal and antiseptic property.

Green tea is used in the defense of bacteria lowering the hormone activity, thus acne can be controlled. Almond oil is very good in removing acne scars.

Apricot and citrus juices alleviate the presence of cysts and acts as a natural exfoliate, getting rid of the dead skin cells making the pores free from clogs.

Distilled white vinegar can be applied as a topical solution on the affected area to cleanse the pores. Honey mask helps in the healing process of the skin affected by acne due to its anti bacterial quality.

Green tea, chamomile and oatmeal are excellent herbs for treating inflammation due to its anti inflammatory properties. It helps to soothe the affected part and aids in the release of heat and making the skin to heal properly. When the affected part is washed with oatmeal, the itching sensation is reduced. Ginger helps to reduce redness and inflammation and can be consume in any form.

Licorice is a very important herb used in the treatment of acne since the Middle Ages. Licorice increases mucous secretion, stimulating the adrenal gland function making the natural defense system of the body into overdrive to remove bacteria and germs responsible for acne and pus.

Hydration: This causes your digestion to slow down and in turn leaves your body filled with impurities for longer than it should. You should try to drink 4 litres of water per day, at least. In order to make sure you meet this target have a bottle of water with you at all times throughout the day and you will find it’s easy to get through this amount without thinking about it. Don’t like drinking plain water? Consider adding flavoring to your water.

Fibre: Fibre will improve your diet and your skin at the same time. Most people know that this will make their skin glow, but few know how to realistically eat their RDA of fibre every day. Here’s some tips to make sure you manage:

1. Brown is better than white. Pasta and bread both have up to ten times as much fibre in them when you opt for brown rather than white. This is an easy dietary change for most people, so at least give it a try and see if you can make the shift.
2. Eat apples, and lots of them! Apples are sweet and tasty. More importantly their skins are jam packed with fibre. Try to eat a couple of apples a day as a contribution towards your 5 fruit and vegetables.

Get exercise: If you fail to get exercise then you’ll notice your muscle tone turning to flab. This has been said to lead to cellulite, acne and bloating. None of which will do your complexion any favours! That’s why you have to consider incorporating an exercise plan into your lifestyle. This shouldn’t be a chore, and is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

Sugar: Sugar may be sweet, but it doesn’t do your skin any favours. This is said to be one of the major causes of ageing in the skin. You can easily tackle this problem through ensuring your not having any more sugar in your diet than you have to. This means that a sprinkle of sugar on your cereal shouldn’t be an option. When it comes to tea and coffee, it’s easy to gradually reduce whether or not you take sugar. If you currently take 2 spoonfuls, come down to zero half a spoonful at a time.

There are two ways in which is essential oils can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

1) Through the skin

Essential oils are absorbed into the body through the skin, by means of diffusion. As the skin is semi-permeable, the essential oils can be absorbed through the sweat pores and the hair follicle. Being fat soluble, the oil dissolves in sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands and passes into the dermis through the capillary network. They are then carried by the blood and lymphatic system throughout the body. This action is enhanced by massage.

Along with having positive effects on all internal systems, essential oils have amazing qualities to address many external conditions, such as skin imbalances. The therapeutic values of essential oils vary greatly from one oil to the next, while at the same time many share qualities. This is why essential oils are used widely in skincare products. These precious oils are often used to treat rosacea, acne, eczema and psoriasis. A skin condition by definition doesn’t need to be present to appreciate the exquisite value of essential oils. They are also valuable additions to skincare products for those with oily skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, mature skin and even normal skin. Essential oils are now commonly found in good skincare products, including cleansers and facial washes, toners, moisturisers and masks.

2) Through Respiration.

Being Volatile, the Essential Oils quickly and easily become gaseous in nature. These molecules are inhaled and pass through the respiratory system until reaching the alveoli. This is where gaseous exchange takes place. The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries and a membrane of simple epithelial cells. The inhaled essential oil molecules diffuse through this membrane and are transported in tissue fluids. The essential oil molecules can also dissolve in mucous in the inner nasal cavity or be transported to the olfactory nerves by electrochemical message.

Essential oils have three distinct modes of action:

• Pharmacological action- the reaction with hormones and enzymes.
• Physiological effect – the physical effect on all systems of the body, including its largest organ, the skin.
• Psychological effect – how it affects the mind, i.e. sense of well-being, calms the mind.

Purity of Essential Oils

The most common method used to check the purity of essential oils is gas liquid chromatography (GLC). Chromatography is a method of separating substances in a mixture, showing its chemical make-up. A small quantity of essential oil is injected and to a fine, coiled, tubular column and is filled with an absorbent material. The coil has gas flowing through it and is fitted within a temperature- controlled oven. The heat causes the lighter components to be carried along the column more quickly. The time it takes for each component to pass along the column is called retention time. The reading for each batch is compared with an original copy and any variances may indicate that the essential oil has been adulterated. Each essential oil is then given a certificate stating its authenticity and batch number confirming its purity.

This is of huge importance when selecting skin care products. The quality and therapeutic value of the each essential oil is based on the integrity of those using them in products. At www.synergyskincare.ie , every effort is made to source only the highest quality and purest of essential oils from around the world.

Rose Hannigan