Acne: Control Sebum Production

In acne-prone skin, increased sebum and P. acnes bacteria build up behind the plug, which can trigger an inflammatory response. It is imperative to understand that over-drying a patient’s skin, even if they are oily, will cause the skin to compensate by producing an excessive amount of sebum. This will cause even more breakouts, as opposed to addressing the problem. Use of natural astringents that also moisturize will avoid the over-production of sebum. Professional treatments containing a combination of the following will most effectively help control sebum production: salicylic acid, ginger root, green burnet root, licorice root, cucumber extract, and cinnamon bark. In addition, there are several beneficial oils important in the treatment of acne, as they contain beneficial, naturally-derived fatty acids. These include, but are not limited to, borage seed oil, grape seed oil, and essential wheat germ oil, which all help balance oily and acneic skin.