You may remember that the blog played host to my acne series last autumn. Since then, I’ve heard from so many customers who are seeking further advice about cystic acne.
So today I’m putting these dreaded spots under the spotlight and addressing how best to tackle them.
What is cystic acne?
Cystic acne is most commonly linked to hormonal imbalance, rather than poor cleansing or a nasty reaction to a skincare product.
It is characterised by deep spots that often look more like bumps under the skin, as they tend not to have a “head”.
Like hormonal acne, cystic acne is difficult to manage and is typically quite painful, and I know firsthand just how confidence shattering its sudden appearance can be.
How best to treat it?
Let me start by saying – there is no overnight, magical cure for cystic acne.
If you’re really struggling, I would recommend visting a naturopath who can help to assess wider health and wellbeing issues which may be contributing to your troublesome skin.
Whilst have a good skin care routine in place can help reduce inflammation and improve skin tone, restoring clarity to your skin can be a long and frustrating process.
It is so tempting to throw every available product at acne in the hope that something will work, but try to avoid overloading your skin with products.
Instead, scale back on the number of topical products you use – overdoing it will cause oil and pH imbalances in the skin, leading to further breakouts.
Establishing a simple routine is the key to tackling problematic skin, helping to keep it hydrated, calm and balanced.
It’s a well-worn cliché, but touching your blemishes really can make acne significantly worse.
It’s so tempting to prod, poke or pick at a blemish – but resist! It will only drive infection and inflammation deeper into the pore, making scarring much more likely.
Instead, apply a thin layer of our Copaiba & Zinc Blemish Serum to the affected area or blemish.
It contains natural anti-inflammatories, which immediately reduce any pain or discomfort, while active botanicals and Zinc work to clear skin. O
ur serum is effective as an all-over solution or a targeted on-the-spot treatment.
Another product that people have great results with is our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil.
The high levels of regenerating sterols and carotenoids can help to draws spots to a head or disappear altogether, whilst repairing damaged skin and reducing dark marks or scarring.
For the best results, try applying 2-3 drops to slightly damp skin 3-4 nights a week.
If you’re new to using Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, or your acne is particularly active, limit it to just 1-2 nights a week.
Tedious as it sounds, perseverance is the key to clearing cystic acne long term.
It can take a while for the right skincare products, diet and wellbeing changes to slot into place, so try not to get disheartened, even if you don’t see the effects immediately.
If you’d like some more in depth advice about dealing with tricky blemishes, then drop our team of skin experts a line.
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