Acne is one of the most commonly occurring skin disorders known to man. Negatively affecting both the hair follicles and oil glands of the skin, acne results in the production of large painful pimples and irritated sections of skin [1].
Considering that this particular skin disease will affect most of the population at one time or another, it is no surprise that acne related skincare products are one of the most heavily sold health products on the market today.
Unfortunately, due to their popularity, the market has become somewhat saturated with ineffective products – some of which that contain chemicals that actually damage the skin, even despite being advertised to help it.
But, fortunately, we are here to help.
What Makes a Good Acne Product?
With the HUGE number of products available on the market, it can be really difficult to know exactly what to look for in a quality acne treatment. As such, the first recommendation we make is to look for something that contains nothing but organic and natural ingredients.
While many chemicals have been shown to help reduce the impact of acne, they do come at a cost.
Due to their abrasive (and dare I say, ‘destructive’, nature), these same chemicals that help remove acne can also cause physcial damage to the cells of the skin. This can lead to dry and irritated skin, scarring, and even increase our likelihood of developing skin diseases such as eczema.
With this in mind, it is best we avoid products containing any synthetic compounds, toxins, mineral oils, or parabens.
Further building on this, it is imperative that we opt for products that contain purely organic and natural compounds. As a result, those few products that get a big tick of approval from us are often built around a few primary ingredients that have been used to treat acne and improve skin health for centuries.
These ingredients include:
- Tea tree oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Willow bark extract
- Green tea
- Kaolin Clay
- Sage Extract
It is also important that we let you know that those products offering the best acne treatment rarely feel harsh on the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology actually suggest that gentle cleansers are the best option to treat acne prone skin [2].
These cleansers clean the pores of the skin, removing any accumulated toxins from the oil glands and hair follicles of the skin. In doing so, they greatly reduce the risk of those same areas becoming inflamed and infected (which can lead to acne).
This leads not only aids in the removal and treatment of acne, but also increases the overall health of the skin, also reducing the likelihood of developing acne in the future.
How Should I Use Acne Products?
Alluding to it in the above section, our best option to treat acne should always consist of a gentle cleansing. This starts by dampening the skin gently with warm water (the water can’t be too hot or it will result in sweating, making the cleansing process less effective), and proceeding to massage the cleanser gently into the face and neck.
Once the cleanser has been applied to the skin, it is time to rinse the skin thoroughly and then pat the skin dry. We would typically recommend performing this process once in the morning and once in the evening (before bed seems to work best) every day.
It is also worth mentioning that it may be necessary to also cleanse the skin after a solid workout, as heavy sweating has the potential to transfer bacteria across the skin to other skin pores - and if left unaddressed this may actually make it more challenging to treat the acne.
Are There Any Safety Precautions I Need to Be Aware of?
While there isn’t any inherent risks associated with many natural skincare products, there are a few precautions that are worth touching on briefly.
While regular skin cleaning is definitely recommended, this cleansing process can actually be performed too often. In this scenario, the skin can become irritated and quite oily, which can negatively impact the health of our skin.
With this in mind, if you do find your skin becoming oily on a consistent basis, you may be cleansing the skin too often – in which case we recommend you drop the cleanse too once per day and assess the results.
Best Organic Acne Products
Taking into consideration the above points, it should quickly become apparent that not all acne products are created equal. As a result, we have outlined our favourite organic products that offer both a fantastic way to treat acne, without causing any skin damage or irritation.
Pronounce Face Wash
Click through to see the before and after pics of users and the amazing quality of the ingredients. All organic, non-GMO...even the water they use is filtered and flouride-free. It's not the cheapest option, but if you're a fanatic like I am and want results, this is your huckleberry.
Cardea Luxe Gentle Foaming Acne Cleanser
This Cardea Luxe acne cleanser is an excellent option as it is completely organic and contains nothing but naturally occurring ingredients.
Built around three primary ingredients (tea tree oil, aloe vera, and olive oil), and containing a number of helpful vitamins, minerals, and essential oils, this particular cleanser is well renowned for its applicability to even the most irritable skin.
I should also note that many of these compounds are both anti-bacterial and antifungal, and as such can go a long way to reduce the spread of acne.
Era Organics Oil Acne Cleanser
Era organics have built a very solid reputation for producing high quality organic skin care products – and this face cleanser is no different. Comprised of aloe vera, coconut oil, and tea tree oil, this cleanser is gentle on the skin while also providing an excellent means to treat acne.
Considering its oil base, this particular cleanser is ideal for those acne prone individuals who suffer from dry skin.
Chic Republic Activated Charcoal Acne Cleanser
The Chic Republic facial wash is a great option for those after a gentle cleanser that promotes the reduction of acne while also promoting improved skin health.
Created with organic coconut oil, aloe vera, and tea tree extract, and combined with vitamins B5 and C, this is a great option that has the capacity to improve the quality of your skin.
As an added bonus, this particular cleanser also contains activated charcoal, which has been suggested to aid in the removal of harmful toxins from the skin, further contributing to the treatment of acne.
Summary
Picking the right acne treatment for you can be quite a challenge. Considering that the market is absolutely saturated with poor quality (and potential harmful) products, it is best to opt for something that is both organic, and designed around natural ingredients.
This can go a very long way to limit the impact of acne while also improving the quality of our skin.
If you have had any experiences with products mentioned in this article (or any others for that matter), we would love to hear from you, so drop us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP.