Benefits of Bergamot Oil for Acne

Looking for a more natural skin treatment to get rid of acne and clear your skin? Essential Oils may be what you are after. There are many essential oils that fight acne and have anti-bacterial properties so your skin can stay healthy, clean and acne-free. In particular, Bergamot Oil has been found to prevent acne and have skin benefits. Not only that, the oil is commonly used to boost the liver, spleen and stomach, fight depression, relieve urinary tract infections and fight eczema, oily skin, cold sores and psoriasis.

For acne prone skin, Bergamot Oil is an ideal pimple treatment. It has antibacterial properties that help skin stay clean and fresh. This prevents pores blocking with dirt and bacteria to form pimples. It is also a great spot treatment for pimples and blemishes as its drying properties help reduce the puss-filled pimples we all hate!

 

Bergamot Oil is derived from the Citrus Bergamia tree, in South East Asia. The oil is extracted from the most fragrant part of the tree, accounting for is aromatic nature and citrus fragrance. The revitalizing aroma has the scent of fruity, sweet citrus and lavender oil and is a greenish-yellow colour. The soothing scent is good for the mind, body and soul, relieving stress and releasing a calming feel. This alone can help acne, as stress is not good for your skin or health!

The oil blends particularly well with other oils to create a treatment for your skin. Bergamot oil alone is very potent and can cause irritation on sensitive skin and in the sunlight. It should always be mixed with other essential oils or water to develop a light and gentle consistency for your skin. You should avoid sunlight directly after applying the oil and for sensitive skin, ensure you dilute the oil enough that there is no burning sensation when applied. The more sensitive your skin the more you should dilute the Bergamot Oil, so experiment with it and find a mixture that is right for your skin.

 

Bergamot oil can be found in many skin care creams and lotions. Some products we recommend are Skin B5’s Acne Control Cleanser, Moisturiser and Skin Purifying mask, all of which have Bergamot Oil as a major ingredient (www.skinb5.com). Its calming effect on inflamed skin and ability to heal topical infections makes it the perfect ingredient for skin care products.

The Secret to face washing

So you’ve heard the more often you wash your face the less breakouts you will have? Wrong! Well not completely wrong, keeping your face rid of dirt and bacteria is definitely an essential part of preventing acne but over washing can do more harm than good. It important to get the amount and technique of face washing just right.  

 

While face washing gets rid of dirt, make up and bacteria that build up throughout the day over washing can dry out your face, cause redness and make your skin sensitive and more prone to breakouts. Dryness and irritation of the skin make it less forgiving and more liable to pimples.

 

The main reason you shouldn’t over wash your face is washing away all of the good things your body naturally produces. We were born with skin that produces a natural layer of oil there to protect your skin. Your skin functions to protect itself and you need to not fight it too much! The layer of oil produced protects and hydrates your skin, keeping it well looked after. If you strip this layer of oil away you are exposing your skin to dirt, bacteria and dryness that all contribute to breakouts. Also because your skin is stripped of moisture you will need to use a moisturiser, which just means using more unnatural products, when your natural oils do a perfectly good job on their own. 

Now don’t get me wrong, washing your face is still important, but moderation and technique are the way to get it right. Try these face washing tips and see if your acne improves.

-Wash your face only once or at most twice a day. Just remember sometimes less is more.

-Be gentle. Lightly washing your face with a cloth will be a lot more effective the rigorously scrubbing your skin.

-Ensure you are using a gentle cleaner- Strong treatments can strip away natural oils and irritate the skin

-If you have dry skin you should only use a face washer and warm water. Cleansers can irritate dry skin and you are often better off without them.

 

You need to get rid of dirt and bacteria to prevent acne and maintain clean and healthy skin but this does not mean over scrubbing and ruining your skin in the process! The secret is simple; thoroughly but gently washing your face.

Benzoyl Peroxide – is it Safe?

Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most common acne treatments and found in many prescription and over the counter medications. Often considered the go-to acne medication this treatment has been around for decades. Though it is one of the most popular treatments many people aren’t aware of the risks and side effects Benzoyl Peroxide has. Benzoyl Peroxide acne treatments essentially work by burning the surface of the skin to eliminate acne, and side effects include excessive dryness, blistering and even bleaching your hair! Is this really something you want to be applying to your face?

So how does it work? Basically build up of debris and bacteria called Propionibacteria acnes (P acnes) under your skin cause acne. P acnes can’t survive in an oxygen rich environment so Benzoyl Peroxide works by introducing oxygen and chemicals into skin follicles killing bacteria and cleaning away debris and dead skin cells. This reduces blocked pores and acne breakouts but dries out your skin and can be an unpleasant experience.

Though you may be told of all of the great results Benzoyl Peroxide produces, be weary of the side effects and consider if you really want to use this treatment on your skin. Common side effects of the chemical include

·         Severe dryness

·         A burning sensation

·         Peeling

·         Itching

·         Redness and irritation

·         Swelling

These reactions are not what you are looking for in a skin treatment and will deteriorate the health of your skin often more so than the acne will. If you experience any of these side effects you should discontinue use and see a doctor or dermatologist to find a better skin care solution.

Not only does Benzoyl peroxide cause frequent side effects there are many other reasons to decide against the chemical treatment.

·         It bleaches your clothes and towels, hair and eyebrows

·         Skin becomes so dry it can cause premature aging

·         It slows the healing of your skin

·         It is rated in category 3 by the Food and Drug Administration meaning the safety is ‘unknown.’

·         It eliminates the top layer of skin making it more liable to sun damage.

·         It is tested on animals

If the mention of chemical didn’t put you off enough think clearly about whether you want a product that can bleach you hair and clothes applied to the sensitive skin on your face. While many people swear by Benzoyl Peroxide as an acne preventative keep in mind it literally burns your skin and doesn’t treat the problem at the source, but rather covers it up. More natural acne treatments such as SkinB5 are the way to go as they are a safer and healthier option and produce great results naturally.