Skincare products are often laden with chemicals and designed to combat acne by inhibiting the skin’s natural functions. Typically, these products reduce acne for a short while and then you end up with worse skin than before due to the oils being stripped and your skin having to process chemicals in the products.
Your skin is always trying to return to its normal function, so it will overproduce oil to combat the excessive stripping. Your skin is meant to have some oil that easily seeps out of the pore and bathes your skin, keeping it hydrated, supple and healthy.
The best topical treatments encourage this normal function of the skin whilst inhibiting the build-up of dead skin cells that block pores, and limit overgrowth of acne bacteria (infection).
Step 1 – Cleanse
Cleanse morning and evening with therapeutic strength manuka honey (16+ UMF or 400+ MGO).
HOW:
- Take a small amount of manuka honey (just enough to cover your face thinly)
- Rub the honey together in your fingertips and apply all over face, under chin and onto your neck if you get acne there
- Leave the honey on for up to 20 minutes if possible. For example, apply it as soon as you get out of bed, and leave it on while preparing some breakfast or doing another task. If you can’t do this every day, it doesn’t matter, still wash your face with the Manuka and leave on for a few minutes or whatever you can.
WHY:
The unique manuka factor (UMF) found in manuka honey is a powerful antibacterial that helps to clean up any excess proliferation of bacteria in your pores.
The hydrogen peroxide found in manuka honey helps to clear dead skin cells from pores, so that they don’t become clogged. It also modulates scarring and promotes oxygen and blood flow, which accelerates the healing process. Additionally, manuka honey is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants.
Step 2 – Tone
Tone morning and evening with vitamin B3 powder dissolved in purified water. The vitamin B3 should make up 2.5 per cent of the solution.
HOW:
- Place B3 powder and water in a spray bottle
- Spray face and neck once or twice so that all areas are covered
- Gently rub in with a cotton pad or your fingertips
- Let soak in for a minute or so before the next step
WHY:
Vitamin B3 dissolves sebum and dead skin cells in pores, eliminating blackheads and preventing pores from clogging. Bonus: it also decelerates the ageing process.
Step 3 – Moisturise
Moisturise morning and evening with pure, organic jojoba oil.
HOW:
- Take a few drops of jojoba oil in your palm and rub together with other palm
- Apply to face and neck and massage gently into your pores
- It usually soaks in quite fast (just don’t use too much, 3-6 drops is plenty)
- If you feel it is too oily, rinse your face with water and gently pat dry with a clean towel – your face should still feel moisturised but not oily
WHY:
Jojoba oil is actually a wax, not an oil, and it gets down inside the pores where it dissolves sebum and prevents clogging. It is also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, helping to prevent acne infection.
What if I wear make-up?
If you wear make-up, manuka won’t get this off, so you need to remove it with something. Make-up can be removed using jojoba oil or another non-toxic make-up remover. Simply change the order that you do things in the evenings if you wear make-up.
HOW:
- Take a 5-10 drops of jojoba oil (or other make-up remover) and apply to face and neck
- Massage gently
- Wipe off with a cotton pad
- Rinse with warm water and continue with toning (Step 2)
- Apply 3-5 drops of jojoba if your skin feels dry at this point
- Apply manuka honey as a spot treatment on pimples and leave on for up to 20 minutes, or overnight
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