Acne is truly a universal problem; men, women, and children of all ages suffer from the emotional effects of acne. It takes up space, visible on the skin and in our thoughts as we greet the world each day. If you have acne on your face, back, or body, you know how consuming it can be. Understandably, people want to get rid of their acne immediately and we’ve been indoctrinated to believe that only the harshest and most drying products will eliminate this scourge. We, at Kindred, feel this information could not be further from the truth. Acne is a sensitivity condition and we believe it should be treated with gentle, powerful, and effective ingredients.
To spread some hopeful light, we’re sharing responses and solutions to the most common comments/questions we receive about acne-prone skin:
This is a teenage problem. Why do I have acne at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70+??
Acne is not age restrictive and our changes of acne (and rosacea) increase as we get older. Hormones are a leading cause of adult acne. The stress hormone cortisol creates a side effect of an increase in oil production, which contributes to pore congestion, among other things. Types of stressors that release cortisol include major life events, the foods we eat, and environmental factors, such as air temperature, sun exposure, and pollen.
As we age, our skin gets drier and more susceptible to thinning, especially if we’ve been using overly harsh products. Mature skin also takes longer to heal, thus compounding the problem. Treating mature skin acne with the proper oils will result in better results and happier skin.
I have oily skin; I cannot use oils.
This is probably the most common statement we hear when speaking with people about oil-based skincare. Very often, oily skin is just surface oiliness that is a reaction to the use of super drying detergents and products. It’s possible the skin is dehydrated. Using drying and dehydrating products sends a signal to our sebaceous glands to produce two times the amount of oil. This reaction leads to congestion, larger pores, and more pustular acne.
Different skin types (normal, oily, dry, and combination) have less to do with acne production than dehydrated skin. The terms ‘dehydrated’ and ‘dry’ are used interchangeably, but their meanings are very different when it comes to skincare. Dry skin is a skin type that lacks oil because it produces less sebum. Dehydrated skin, a condition, lacks water and causes redness, irritation, and congestion.
Hydrating skin from within (by drinking plenty of water) and externally (using hydrating skincare products) will help to heal dehydrated skin. Daily use of oils will regulate the skin, and within a few weeks, you’ll start experiencing positive benefits. Clients have noticed that their skin feels less oily once they start oil cleansing and this is because the outer layers of skin no longer have to compensate for the excessive dehydration created by other products.
What can I use to clear up my skin?
Many of our oils combat issues contributing to acne. Blemish Cleanse, our cleanser specifically created for dermatitis (inflammatory conditions, including acne), contains tea tree oil that provides anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Inflammation is the leading cause of acne and aging in the skin, and the essential fatty acids from oils help to reduce the inflammation response. The unique combination of oils in this cleanser is very high in linoleic acid, which is a component of sebum, that significantly helps to combat all types of dermatitis.
In addition to daily use of Blemish Cleanse, our Intense Moisture features hydrating tamanu butter, which is an ancient weapon used against acne and acne scarring. We recommend using a gentle exfoliator to renew and refresh skin, such as Polish Cleanse, containing salicylic acid in willow bark oil. Salicylic acid helps to thin out our natural sebum, which allows the pores to stay clear. Polish Cleanse can be left on the skin for 5-10 minutes as a mask, which will allow your skin to reap the most rewards from the willow bark oil. Finish up your new anti-acne regimen with our Clay Mask, made with bentonite clay that deep cleans pores. After a few weeks of use, you will enjoy clear, healthy skin.
*Each of the products mentioned is vegan and all Kindred products are safe for use during pregnancy.