Acne is a very common skin disorder that most young people develop during early puberty and caused by a bacterial infection that develops inside a blocked hair follicle (pore).

A blockage occurs when the accumulation of cellular debris (dead skin cells) and sebum from the sebaceous glands combines to form a hard plug that obstructs the pore opening. This obstruction is called a comedo and manifests itself as non-inflamed bump or blackhead on the skin's surface. When a comedo completely blocks the pore opening, it creates an anaerobic environment, or a lack of oxygen within the follicle and creates a favourable environment where acne bacteria can thrive.

Propionibacterium Acnes is the bacterium responsible for inflamed acne outbreaks and are usually resident within a hair follicle in small numbers. Normally they're quite harmless, but in acne prone skin their population can grow out of control. As a follicle becomes filled with sebum, dead cells, and bacteria, it begins to swell. Eventually the follicle wall ruptures under the pressure and its content spills into the dermis. This causes white blood cells to rush in to fight the bacteria and produces redness, swelling, pus and the all too familiar spot or pimple on the skin.

Most spots tend to heal within a few days, if left alone, and severe cases may require medical treatment, but ultimately the best way to deal with acne is to try and deter future outbreaks. In general, acne sufferers who eat a healthy and well balanced diet, take regular exercise and have a good hygiene regime with the acne-prone areas of their skin tend to have fewer outbreaks and less severe symptoms during an outbreak.

We can't help with the healthy diet or force anyone to take regular exercise, but we can offer a range of natural soap products that utilise nature's own remedies to help control oily skin.

For Naturally You products that could help with acne-prone skin, please click here.