Pai is a leading formulator of certified organic skincare, believing that skin - no matter how sensitive - deserves the best ingredients. In this article, the sensitive skin experts share their favourite natural ingredients for tackling acne and blemishes…
Acne is a very common skin condition and one that many experience long beyond their teenage years. The causes are complex but it's possible to break up with your breakouts. The best approach? A gentle one.
Rather than stripping the skin with harsh ingredients, you need to work with it. Nature has some seriously impressive offerings that can bring balance and create a clearer, healthier complexion.
How does acne develop?
Whether it's a red spot, whitehead, or blackhead, acne occurs when the pores – the tiny openings in your skin – become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria.
Acne usually occurs when the skin is out of balance – either when it’s too oily or too dry. If you have oily skin, your skin overproduces sebum, which means there’s a greater chance it will become trapped in your pores and spots will form. In dry skin types, the opposite occurs and it underproduces oil, leaving the skin without its protective barrier and vulnerable to spots forming.
The causes of imbalances in the skin are varied. Genetics play a part and some of us are more prone to blemishes than others. That aside, hormones tend to be the biggest cause which is why you’re more prone to breakouts around the time of your period or in your teens. When hormone levels are out of whack, they can influence oil levels in the skin which in turn can cause acne to develop.
In other cases, acne is caused by stress (cortisol, the stress hormone, increases oil production), a skin product that you don’t agree with, a particular food or even the weather.
Whatever the underlying cause, the key is to find skincare that targets the blemishes while rebalancing the skin. Going in gung-ho with relentless products that aren’t kind to your skin is a recipe for disaster.
Which natural ingredients are good for acne-prone skin?
1. Zinc
An anti-inflammatory powerhouse, Zinc can help reduce the appearance of blemishes by visibly calming swelling. It’s also a dab hand at reducing shine, blackheads and congestion making it an acne-fighting hero. You’ll find Zinc in our face serum for blemish-prone skin, All Becomes Clear.
2. Black Cumin Seed Oil
It’s a common misconception that oily or oil-prone skin can’t tolerate oils. The right oils - like Black Cumin Seed Oil - can help restore balance and prevent the formation of spots. Known as ‘the oil of the pharaohs’ it’s been used for thousands of years for its healing properties. When it comes to acne, it really delivers with its antibacterial qualities.
3. Charcoal
Charcoal works wonders when it comes to drawing impurities out of the skin. Working like a pore-clearing sponge, it absorbs toxins and excess oil while gently exfoliating dead skin cells to reveal clearer skin. Our detoxifying face oil for blemish-prone skin, Carbon Star, works overnight using Vegetable Charcoal as a complexion clarifier.
4. Copaíba Oil
An Amazonian super fruit that’s essential in any anti-acne arsenal. The resin from this tree can help combat redness and shrink the size of spots leaving skin smooth and calm.
5. Camellia Oil
When tackling acne, good cleansing is key – but be careful that your chosen formula isn’t making matters worse. Using a gentle, foam-free cleanser will keep the skin clean without stripping the skin barrier. A natural oil like Camellia, which comes from the seeds of the Camellia flower and is rich in omega-6, can help to leave the skin calm, balanced and nourished.
6. Rosehip Oil
Containing a cocktail of skin-loving nutrients including antioxidants (vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E), linoleic acids, and oleic acids, Rosehip is an all-rounder for tackling blemish-prone skin. Non-greasy and non-pore blocking, it restores balance by reducing inflammation and preventing excess sebum production. Better yet, this multitasker is often applauded for swiftly dealing with the after-effects of blemishes, speeding up healing and repair to help fade acne scarring and pigmentation. No acne–prone skincare routine is complete without it.
In an independent user trial¹ of Pai customers with sensitive skin:
85% said the product made their skin feel smoother
87% said the product made their skin feel more hydrated
84% said the product made their skin feel softer
60% said they noticed an improvement after just one application
¹4 week independent consumer trial of 97 women
For personalised skincare advice book a free online skin consultation with Pai today.
