Blemishes are a common issue for people of all ages. They can be occasional, omnipresent, or crop up at the least convenient times. It can feel frustrating, even embarrassing — but it doesn't have to. Before we go any further, we want to share Sageborn's perspective that your skin is beautiful and worthy of love, no matter what condition it's in. We encourage you not to use the word "imperfection" to describe a pimple, a blemish, or any part of your body — there's no such thing as "perfect" skin, but there are infinite ways for our unique skin to shine. At Sageborn, our focus is on caring for and appreciating the whole self, inside and out. Faces with blemishes are no less lovely. Skin with a little red bump here and there is just as beautiful. It works just as hard to protect us from the outer world and expresses our emotions and feelings with depth and nuance.
Despite being thought of as an issue consigned to the teenage years, blemishes and acne are something most people deal with either occasionally or regularly throughout their lifetime. They're a reminder that we're all human.
With that mindset, we can see blemishes as an opportunity to tune in to what our body needs, and show our skin a little extra love.
Blemished skin is not flawed — it's a complex and resilient system doing its best to keep us safe and well. We can support clear skin by focusing on a healthy lifestyle.
Common acne triggers and solutions
Adult acne, also called post-adolescent acne, occurs after the age of 25 and mostly shares its causes with adolescent acne. Because there can be multiple underlying factors behind a blemish, it's not always easy to pinpoint one trigger in particular. Sometimes, blemishes are the results of something rubbing against the skin to cause friction. That may be your face mask or hat, in the case of facial acne, or the fabric of your clothing or laundry detergent, if you have blemishes on your body. In these situations, your skin may not be able to breathe properly, which can cause bacteria and dirt to be trapped on the skin.
More commonly, blemishes are triggered by things that are deeper-than-skin-deep — typically related to what we put into our body rather than on it.
But more commonly, blemishes are triggered by things that are deeper-than-skin-deep — typically related to what we put into our body rather than on it. Our diet can be a cause of inner inflammation, and the skin — our body's largest organ — expresses what's happening within through blemishes, rashes, eczema, and other skin reactions. Blemishes can actually serve as a red flag in this way for certain foods, including processed sugars, dairy products, gluten, and eggs. If you notice more blemishes and are simultaneously experiencing digestive troubles, it may be time to experiment with cutting out one or more of these foods, replacing them with more organic fruits, veggies, and fiber, as well as plentiful filtered water each day.
Hormonal breakouts are a familiar experience for many people, women in particular. Our hormones fluctuate naturally during our menstrual cycle. As our immune system bears a heavier load just before and during menstruation and our derma layer becomes more susceptible to toxins, we tend to break out around the chin or jawline. To help support clear facial skin, try boosting your immune system the week before you expect your cycle to arrive, through clean eating, healthy physical movement, and getting good rest each night. It's common to experience a craving for sweets either at the end of a woman's cycle, or just before menstruation starts. As we mentioned above, refined sugar can cause an inflammatory response, increasing the likelihood of a breakout. Instead of reaching for processed sweets, indulge in healthy treats like coconut oil, avocado, nuts, or cacao nibs to nix a sweet tooth craving.
Hormonal breakouts can also be caused by an imbalance in estrogen, progesterone, and androgen hormones. If you're a woman experiencing consistent jawline or chin breakouts throughout the month, it might help to work with a naturopath or other alternative medicine doctor who has experience in naturally supporting hormonal balance. Several herbal remedies and lifestyle shifts can be beneficial as a part of a guided regimen and are much gentler on the body than hormonal birth control. Hormonal balances are also deeply tied to our gut health, and the guidance of a healing expert can help us see the connections between different systems and work wonders for our inner and outer health.
Healing blemishes
So, you've woken up with a blemish, or perhaps multiple blemishes — now what? Although it's tempting, try not to pick, scratch, or pop them, which can lead to scarring, and spread bacteria to other pores, possibly causing more acne. Instead, trust your skin to heal on its own and support it gently in the process. This will actually decrease the healing time.
Trust your skin to heal on its own and support it gently in the process. This will actually decrease the healing time.
If you can avoid using makeup on the blemish, don't cover it up, especially with chemical-based products. Most acne products found in drugstores and supermarkets are made with a long list of chemicals that tend to be very drying to the skin, causing more harm than good. These products can disrupt the natural pH balance of your skin and create damage and issues down the road.
We recommend cleansing the skin with our Purifying Facial Cleansing Oil, which is great for all skin types, and warm water. Then, use our Healing Blemish Treatment as a spot treatment for blemishes. If you are experiencing consistent acne, use our Montana Clay Masque mixed with a few drops of our Healing Blemish Treatment to help detox. This facial protocol will help nourish the skin and heal blemishes. The redness and inflammation will dissipate, and your skin will be properly hydrated.
Many prescription medications can relieve acne symptoms. However, these often don't address the root cause. Skin issues are almost always caused by what we eat, drink, and how we care for our body. In a way, blemishes are the body's little requests for extra care.
Despite being thought of as an issue consigned to the teenage years, blemishes and acne are something most people deal with either occasionally or regularly throughout their lifetime. They're a reminder that we're all human. Blemished skin is not flawed — it's a complex and resilient system doing its best to keep us safe and well. We can support clear skin by focusing on a healthy lifestyle. So let that lovely face of yours shine, in all its unique beauty!