Fish Oil for Acne

             What do fish oil and cod liver oil have to do with acne, anyway? 

 

 In a nutshell, fish oil – or rather, omega-3 fatty acids – appears to help some people clear up their skin faster.  This is because omega-3s reduce inflammation in a few different ways. At our Acne Clinic we suggest clients get on a high quality Omega 3 fatty acid when treating their skin problems. You may wonder why and how fish oil can aid in clearing acne so let's take a closer look.

  

Inflammation is a major contributor to acne, so it’s tempting to think it’s a good idea to start taking fish oil.  Fish oil contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, which interact with omega-6 fatty acids to reduce or end your body’s inflammatory response. 

  

When you have a really skewed omega-3:6 ratio in your diet – as in, way too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3 – your inflammation levels skyrocket. 

 Not good! 

 And for some years now, people have been using large doses of fish oil to treat inflammation by balancing out those pesky omega-6s. 

 How does inflammation relate to acne? Well, It’s responsible for the redness and swelling that makes acne so embarrassing. Reduce inflammation, and your acne won’t swell up so much (or get so cherry-red). 

 Cod liver oil, on the other hand, works to heal acne mainly because it gives you a big boost of vitamins A and D. While it also contains some omega-3s, the dosage is far smaller than what you’d get in a dose of fish oil. 

 Fish oil is basically oil that’s extracted from fish bodies, while cod liver oil is taken from the livers of codfish. Pretty simple. 

And like we said above, fish oil is a powerful source of omega-3s, and omega-3s have anti-inflammatory effects. 

What’s the big deal with inflammation? 

You see, these days, most of the common Western diet is highly  

Inflammatory. 

  

What does that mean, exactly? 

  

Well, it means that most people are eating way too many foods loaded with omega-6 fats, sugar, trans fats, and gluten, all of which are pro-inflammatory. 

  

These inflammatory foods drive your immune system to do insane things, like causing swelling where you least want it – arthritis, for example, and of course, acne. 

  

When your immune system is on constant red alert, and it stumbles across a clogged pore on that lovely face of yours, it dives in for the attack! The clogged pore becomes inflamed, red, and swollen. 

  

You see, if your immune system were healthy and normal, a clogged pore wouldn’t cause a big fuss. Your body would heal the ruptured pore pretty quickly and then go on functioning normally. No big deal! But when your body is in a constant state of hyper-immune-activation and inflammation, any little thing sets off your immune system. 

  

How do omega-3s affect inflammation? 

  

Before we get to that, let us explain a few things about the essential fatty acids: omega-3s and omega-6s. While there are many different fatty acids in the omega-3 and omega-6 families, only a couple are actually really useful and needed in the body. These are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3, and arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6. 

  

Arachidonic acid is critical to the initiation of an inflammatory response, which is why it gets a bad rap. However, AA also turns on the cellular machinery that activates DHA, which helps to bring that inflammatory response to an end. 

  

Together, these two fatty acids are a part of an intricate chemical dance in the body that starts an inflammatory response when it’s needed and then stops it when it isn’t needed anymore. 

 (Another omega-3 found in fish and fish oils, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, reduces inflammation mostly by interfering with AA… and therefore with the whole process of inflammation and its resolution.  

  

As you can see, omega-3 fats – namely DHA – have an incredibly powerful role in quickly helping inflammation. 

 The key here is your ratio of these omega-3s to pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats. The rub is that if the inflammation-initiating omega-6 fats aren’t balanced by sufficient omega-3s, your immune system can get vigilant.  

 Now, if you were eating like a hunter-gatherer of yesteryear – e.g. wild game, nuts, vegetables, the odd beehive – you’d have an omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of around 1:1. 

  

But in this day and age, omega-6 fats are in everything – canola oil, safflower oil, vegetable oil, corn, soy, wheat – basically most of the JFBBs (Junk Food Building Blocks) in today’s fast-food world. Most cookies, crackers, snacks, breakfast cereals, and granola bars are made primarily with these JFBBs, which, again, are highly inflammatory. 

 That’s bad news for acne! 

 In short, you’ve got to optimize your omega-3 to -6 ratio if you want clearer healthier skin. 

  

The common wisdom goes like this: fish oil gives you a huge blast of omega-3s (EPA and DHA), which is good because it balances out your omega-6 intake, reducing inflammation. 

  

And if you’re not convinced already, here’s a roundup of the key benefits to improving your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio (by reducing omega-6 consumption): 

Improving this fatty acid ratio can help… 

• Reduce redness and puffiness of acne lesions. 
• Moisturize your skin naturally, making your skin softer. 
• Reduce stress, preventing excess acne-causing sebum production. 
• Slow down skin cell over-production, keeping your pores open and free. 

• Balance hormone production, making your skin less oily. 

In addition to helping clear your skin, a healthier omega-3 to -6 ratio can also provide the following benefits: 

• Reduced joint pain. 
• Improved mood.  
• Improved brain performance.  
• Stronger hair. 
• More energy. 
• Improved cholesterol levels.

Taking fish oil can definitely help with inflammation in the body and skin. However, just taking a high quality Omega 3 fish oil will not cure your acne.  If you need help with getting your acne under control our Clinic can do just that. Visit us a UtahAcneclinic.com to see how.

Acne Excoriee- What are the Signs and Symptoms

Acne excoriée is a type of acne that is sometimes called picker's acne because it occurs when the affected individual picks at the acne lesions. The picking exacerbates the acne and causes scars; the scarring leads to more acne and, ultimately, more picking.

The general public has a tendency to minimize the significance of the medical condition commonly called acne. It surprises many people to learn that it is, in fact, a very complicated medical condition that comes in different forms and is caused by different situations. Common acne is often diagnosed as acne vulgaris, with the word acne meaning the outbreak of pimples, of course, and the word vulgaris means common. There is another very disturbing form of acne that gets the name acne excoriee.

Acne excoriee is commonly called “picker’s acne”. The condition usually starts out like other acne outbreaks. A pimple erupts, first one, then another. For most people, this begins during the adolescent years, when the body is undergoing major hormonal changes, some of which trigger the onset of acne vulgaris. For most people, this eruption of blemishes comes at a time in life when even the little things seem big. It’s almost impossible not to poke, scratch and squeeze a bit. The problem with picking acne blemishes is that it’s unsanitary and infection can set in, causing a bigger blemish. When the acne blemishes occur on the face of someone experiencing episodes of self-doubt, and low self-esteem, however, picking the blemishes can lead to a disturbing obsession that is self-perpetuating. A vicious cycle of eruptions and picking and open sores begins that can be very difficult to stop. Excoriated acne is often accompanied by other medical maladies that are more serious, even life threatening. Major medical conditions such as depression, attention-deficit disorders, and other anxiety- and mood-related may be hiding beneath the ravaged surface.

Picking acne - why does it happen?
Acne excoriee usually begins during adolescence, when ideas of self-image are in upheaval and undergoing change, matching the changes going on with the physical body. A fragile self-image may create an atmosphere where every imperfection perceived, real or not, is distorted in significance. By picking away at the blemishes on the face, no matter how small, many people find satisfaction, as if they are picking away at their troubles or their
emotional pain. The underlying emotional trauma manifested in picking acne lesions may also be a coping mechanism. Trauma may be happening at the time the picking begins or it may be a timely outlet for previous trauma.

Popping pimples seems like a good idea at the time. It’s quick, it’s satisfying, and it leaves you with a smooth surface. Problem solved, right? It might seem like it, but every day our acne specialists see the fallout from acne that’s been overzealously picked and popped. Most commonly, popping pimples will leave you with very dark or red spots, even scabs, in the area where you picked. These marks, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, can take months and even years to go away without chemical peels and the right product for acne scars. Picking too deep can even leave you with permanent pitted, “ice pick” scars that only laser treatments or plastic surgery can improve.

But the real problem with popping your pimples is not the appearance of the surface of your skin, but its affect on your acne overall. Squeezing a pimple damages the follicle wall deep inside your skin, encouraging further inflammation and breakouts in the picked area. You could get a cluster of pimples in the area where you popped, or the popped pimple could come back to haunt you again and again in the same place because the wall of that follicle has been compromised.

To get rid of a pimple, we recommend applying ice to the lesion for a few minutes twice a day in order to reduce redness and swelling, healing your pimple from the inside out. Or, schedule an acne treatment with us. Our acne specialists at Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic can remove dead skin cells and oil from the follicle without breaking the follicle wall and spreading acne bacteria. Better yet, they can recommend the best acne products for you so that you won’t break out in the first place.

If you tend to pick at your skin while watching TV, put gloves on.  If you do it in front of the mirror, put a picture of a picked scar on the mirror as a reminder.  If you use a magnifying mirror, get rid of it!  Whatever you can do to break the cycle.

Tinted Moisturizers and BB Creams....Are They Acne Safe?

 

As times are changing and everything around us moves forward, makeup has followed suit. Moisturizers, concealers, and SPF have joined forces to create many different types of tinted moisturizers. These are often called CC and BB Creams and most of these new products are really exciting for women because they eliminate steps in your daily routine, as well as save you money. But, are these products safe for those of us that suffer from acne? 

 Most of the rules that apply for other products and acne sufferers also apply to these new products. If you suffer from acne, you need to check all the ingredients in your makeup before you put any type of tinted moisturizer or cream on your face. Most of the new creams are actually not okay for those of us that suffer from acne. Below are some examples of some popular tinted moisturizers that are not safe for acne prone skin.  See our pore clogging list on our website at UtahAcneClinic.com

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30: This is a very popular tinted moisturizer, but it contains Algae Extract - so acne sufferers need to stay away. 

Cover Girl CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer: Cover Girl products have long been loved because of the cost and coverage, but those of us who suffer from acne can not enjoy the benefits of this CG smoother because it contains Isopropyl Palmitate. This pore clogging ingredient will make you break out. 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer: This is another popular drugstore beauty product that most women really benefit from, but it also causes breakouts. The Isopropyl Isostearate in this product is not safe for acne sufferers. 

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 2: If you suffer from acne, stay away from this cream. It contains Ethyhexyl Palmitate and that is a pore clogging ingredient. 

So, is there any 2 in 1 or 3 in 1 product that acne sufferers can use on their face? 
Unfortunately, there are not many products like this for those of us that suffer from acne. We have most of our clients achieve the tinted moisturizer look by mixing the Priia loose powder foundation with our safe moisturizer/sunscreen. This is defiantly a great technique for acne suffers and will not cause any breakouts. 

To learn more tips and tricks about makeup and acne, call the Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic located in Salt Lake City today! We can't wait to see you for a consultation and start clearing your skin!

Pore Clogging Ingredients: Foundations

Foundation is an everyday thing for most women and with a million different types of creams, powders and liquid foundations on the market - you can usually find the most perfect shade and coverage for your skin. Finding your everyday product is a tricky thing because foundations come in all shapes and sizes - but it is especially hard if you have acne prone skin, because you have to check every ingredient in your products on top of everything else.  

If you have been keeping up with our blog posts, you should already know that using products with pore-clogging ingredients will cause you to break out. This is why we urge anybody with acne prone skin to check and double check all ingredients in their products. Since foundation is in direct contact with your entire face, everyday - it is especially important to make sure you are using a product that is safe for your skin.

 Unfortunately, some of the most popular foundations right now are unsafe for acne prone skin. Read on to learn about some products that you shouldn’t be using and why.  

Laura Mercier: Many of Laura Mercier’s foundations contain pore-clogging ingredients such as hydrogenated coco-glycerides which is Coconut Oil. It would be a great decision for acne sufferers to stay away from these products. We have seen breakouts with the tinted moisturizer among other foundations. Even the mineral powder is not safe for acne prone people.

 Tart-Amazinian Clay: This product contains potassium chloride, which is on the pore-clogging list. This foundation will cause you to breakout.

 Urban Decay: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup contains sodium chloride, this ingredient is rated high on the pore clogging list. It is not safe for those of us who are acne prone.

 Nars: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 is made with algae extract, another pore-clogging ingredient. It’s hard to stay away from the shades that Nars has in foundations, blushes and bronzers because they really are beautiful--but if you’re acne prone these products will cause you to breakout.

MAC: MAC Studio Fix, MAC Mineralize Foundation, and MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder, just to name a few all contain different pore-clogging ingredients from Sodium Chloride to Wheat Germ Oil.  Although all of us love MAC products, these types of foundations are not suitable for those of us who suffer from acne.

If you want a foundation that is not only safe for your skin, but also beneficial in fighting your acne, use Priia Minerale-Derm.  Priia has a loose powder foundation as well as a cream stick which provides amazing coverage and wouldn’t clog your pores. Along with foundations, Priia also makes a beautiful bronzer “Vacation in a Jar” and many wonderful shades of blush, lipsticks and concealers.  The entire line of Priia Minerale-Derm makeup is 100% acne safe and will never contain pore-clogging ingredients.

If you would like to learn more about clearing your acne and using the best products for your skin, gives us a call or visit our website at UtahAcneClinic.com were located in Salt Lake City, Utah.