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Natural Care for Teenage Skin
By Janice Cox
Issue 85, Winter 1997
The teen years are fun, challenging, and exciting. They are also the time when it is important to establish a skin care regime. Gone are the days when all it took to keep young skin healthy and clean was a bar of soap and a bubble bath. As teens' bodies are growing and changing, so are their complexions. Blemishes, blackheads, pimples, rashes, and acne are common problems that many teens would rather not discuss. However, it is important to understand these breakouts and their causes. By knowing how to care for your teenager's troubled skin, you can alleviate much of the anxiety it creates.
The exact cause of skin problems such as acne is not known, but hormones appear to be a major factor. During the teenage years, the levels of androgen, or male sex hormones, markedly elevate in both boys and girls. This results in an increase in both the size of the oil glands and the quantity of oil produced. Washing the face at least twice a day (three times if the skin is extremely oily) with a gentle cleanser will help keep the complexion clean and clear.
Excitement and stress are other causes of breakouts. We have all awakened before a big event, such as a test or date, to find our skin has erupted during the night. Hormones are again the culprit. When we are under stress, our bodies secrete extra adrenal hormones, which promote the production of sebum, the skin's own natural moisturizer. This excess oil blocks the pores and can lead to breakouts. Learning to relax and understand troubled emotions may be the best defense. Encourage teens to express their feelings with a family member or friend to keep both their heads and skin clear. Relaxation exercises, such as yoga, walking, or meditation, can also be beneficial.
In addition to hormones and stress, another cause of teenage acne is heredity. This is not to say that just because you had complexion problems your teenager faces the same fate. But understanding your family history is useful in dealing with skin troubles, and may provide important background information to assist your physician when discussing your teenager's skin care.
Blemishes fall into two categories: comedones, or blackheads; and papules, or whiteheads. Both types of breakouts occur in the hair follicles. They develop when pores become clogged with sebum (oil) and other surface impurities, such as dead skin cells and bits of protein. Blackheads are not caused by dirt on the skin, but rather by excess oil left on the skin. If not removed within eight hours, this oil hardens into a plug. When the hardened oil is exposed to air, it is oxidized, giving it a black color. If bacteria comes into contact with this plugged pore, it can cause an inflammation, or a whitehead (the classic pimple).
Never squeeze a blemish. Squeezing a pimple can cause infection, damage the skin, and push bacteria deeper, making the inflammation last longer. Even worse, it could lead to permanent scarring. Keeping the skin clean and loosening clogged pores is the best preventative. A weekly gentle facial scrub and deep cleansing mask can accomplish this.
To determine other ways to prevent or treat skin problems, examine where your teenager's skin is breaking out. Everyone gets breakouts in different places, not always on the face. Breakouts around the hairline can be caused by excessive amounts of hairstyling gel or mousse. The hair should always be kept very clean, since the scalp can also produce excess oil. Pull hair back away from the face will also help.
Acne on the back or chest is common among young boys. Make sure they shower after exercising and wear natural fabrics that breathe, especially during hot weather.
If the chin or sides of the face always seem to be broken out, your teen may be touching the skin without realizing it, by resting the face in the hands during the day or while sleeping.
When their complexions are less than perfect, many teens panic and try harsh treatments that can actually make the condition worse. Instead, they should give their skin some tender loving care and relax. The following recipes and treatments will help clean, tone, and clear up troubled skin. (For severe cases of acne, see a doctor or skin care specialist.)
Treatments:
Honey Blemish treatment
Honey is great for drawing out impurities. It also contains a large amount
of potassium, giving it antibacterial properties. For serious cases,
try a complete facial mask of pure honey, rather than just a spot treatment.
Soak a cotton ball in warm salt water; press on the blemish for three minutes to help dissolve the top.
Dab a bit of honey on the affected area to deep-clean the pore and draw out any bacteria. Let sit for ten to 15 minutes.
Clean the face with normal cleanser; then rinse the skin well with warm water, then cool water.
Pat the skin dry.
Almond Meal Mask
This mask makes a good blackhead treatment. Almond meal is easy to make
at home: Simply grind whole almonds in your coffee grinder or blender
until they reach the consistency of cornmeal. You may also substitute
ground oatmeal.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. almond meal
1-2 tbsp. distilled water
Directions:
Mix the almond meal or oatmeal and water into a smooth paste, adding more water if necessary. Spread the mixture over the face and lightly massage the skin. Let the mask sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water, followed by cool water. Pat the skin dry.
Yield: 2 ounces
Fresh Strawberry Mask
Strawberries are rich in salicylic acid, a key ingredient in many commercial
blemish control products that rids the skin of dead cells and deep-cleans
the pores. In addition to helping heal blemishes, strawberries also have
a mild bleaching effect on the skin.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup flesh strawberries
1 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. cornstarch
Directions:
Mix the ingredients together to make a smooth paste. Spread over the face and neck and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse first with warm water, then cool water. Follow with a mild astringent such as witch hazel, and apply a light moisturizer. Refrigerate any leftover mask and discard after one week.
Yield: 4 ounces
Nonsoap Cleanser
This is a good all-purpose cleanser for use over the entire body. It helps
loosen any surface impurities from the pores while cleaning the skin.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. oatmeal
1 tbsp. honey
1 egg white
Directions:
Stir the ingredients together and pour the mixture into a clean container. Pour a small amount into your hand and massage the skin for a few minutes. Rinse well with warm (not hot) water and pat the skin dry. Refrigerate any leftover cleanser and discard after a week.
Yield: 2 ounces
Clear Skin Cleanser
Keep a small jar of this mixture next to the bathroom sink. It helps to
dislodge embedded dirt and oil that can turn
into blemishes. Keeping the skin clean and flee of excess oil is important in preventing breakouts.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup grated mild soap (I use Castile soap)
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup oatmeal
Directions:
Mix the ingredients together and pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. Scoop out a small amount and mix together with water to form a smooth paste. Massage the cleanser into the face and neck; then rinse well with warm water, followed by cool water. Pat the skin dry and follow with a toner.
Vinegar Toner
This is a wonderful final rinse for troubled skin. After cleansing the
skin and rinsing well with warm water, then cool water, use this product
to restore the skin's natural acid level. It will also help the skin
function more effectively and fight off harmful bacteria. (Never use
straight vinegar on the skin or hair--it should always be diluted with
water.)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 cup distilled water
Directions:
Mix vinegar and water together.
Pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid or spray attachment. Splash or spritz on the face after cleansing. Do not rinse off; let the skin air dry (the vinegar smell will quickly fade).
Yield: 8 ounces
Fresh Parsley Splasher
Fresh parsley is perfect for soothing teenage skin. It has skin-softening
properties that help to clean and calm the complexion. Wet a cotton washcloth
with this mixture and use it as a cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 large handful fresh parsley, about 1 cup
2 cups boiling water
Directions:
Place the parsley in a glass or ceramic bowl. Pour the boiling water over it and allow the mixture to cool completely. Strain out all solids and pour the fresh, green liquid into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. Splash on the face after cleansing or apply to the skin with clean cotton pads. Keep in the refrigerator and discard after a few weeks.
Yield: 12 ounces
Natural Pimple Cream
Use this cream at night as a spot treatment on blemishes. Like honey, it
will draw out any impurities and clear up the skin. Lanolin and glycerine
can be found in the skin care section of any drugstore.
Ingredients:
1 tsp. castor oil
1 tsp. glycerine
1 tsp. lanolin
Directions:
Melt the ingredients together in a glass bowl placed in a microwave or over a double boiler. Cool completely and store in a clean glass jar. Apply a small amount to blemishes at night before bed.
Yield: 1/2 ounce
Simple Skin Saving Tips
Use these pointers to keep the complexion glowing with natural health:
Fight acne from the inside out by eating a balanced diet full of fiber, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
Drink plenty of liquids to flush any impurities from the system--at least 12 glasses of water or water-based beverages, such as herbal tea or diluted fruit juices daily.
Chocolate and cola are fine, but avoid seafood and salty snacks. They are both sources of iodine, which can aggravate acne in some people.
Take a well-balanced vitamin and mineral supplement. Vitamins A and B-6, zinc, and chromium help to clear up acne.
Keep your fingers out of cosmetic products. Pour creams, lotions, and makeup into clean hands or use a small spoon to scoop them out. This will prevent you from introducing germs and bacteria into the products.
Keep your hands off your face. Touching the face during the day will only irritate blemishes, plus expose the skin to harmful bacteria.
Keep your hands out of your hair. Oils from hair can be transferred to the fingertips and end up on the face. To fix your hair, use a brush or comb.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep skin clean. Wash your face before going to bed at night and use a weekly scrub, such as almond meal or cornmeal, to keep the pores clear.
If your skin is broken out, do not steam your face in an effort to open up the pores. This can aggravate the condition by stimulating blood vessels and activating oil glands. Instead, apply hot towels to your face for no more than one minute.
Get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep can cause stress and lead to unexpected breakouts.
For more information about skin care, see the following article in a past issue of Mothering: "Teenage Skin Care," no. 48.
Janice Cox is a homemaker living in Medford, Oregon, and mother of Lauren (7) and Marie (5). She is the author of Natural Beauty for All Seasons--250 Simple Recipes and Gift-Giving Ideas, published by Henry Holt and Company.
