Oily skin and acne breakouts can be a frustrating and confidence depleting. While antibiotics and oral contraceptives can appear to improve such problems, they often have undesirable side effects and in some instances may even mask the underlying cause of breakouts.

We believe in treating acne and breakouts on the inside and out. This guide provides you with tips on how to give your skin the support it needs to tackle acne. You can expect clearer, smoother skin with fewer breakouts in as little as two weeks.

 When treating acne topically (from the outside), the goal is to decongest pores, remove surface bacteria and balance oil production. Here are the products that should be in your anti-acne arsenal.

• Cleanse and unclog: Cleansing is essential to combating acne and oily skin, however the quality of your formula is critical. A gentle milky cleanser that is "non-foaming" is imperative when it comes to controlling acne. This means that skin is not stripped of its acid-mantle, which acts as a protective barrier against microbes and toxins that can trigger breakouts. Antimicrobial coconut oil is the base for our No.1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk. It also contains salicylic acid, which helps to unclog pores and balance oil production. Citrus and fruit extracts help balance sebum levels, while Wattleseed refines pores and Camellia Seed Oil calms inflamed skin.
• Target congestion. Targeting congestion and reducing clogging of pores is the key to ensuring skin is kept clear of breakouts. Our Turmeric Brightening Serum is a booster serum designed to be used as a spot treatment, specifically on acne, cysts or congested areas to encourage clear and blemish-free skin. It is an overnight fix to congested and unhappy skin.
• Hydrate and soothe: Those with acne-prone complexions all too often skip moisturiser for fear that it will make skin greasy. However, it actually has the opposite effect. Proper hydration helps balance sebum production, ensuring that the skin doesn't overcompensate for dryness by producing excess oil. & Botanical Water Gel is the perfect hydrator. It contains calming Aloe along with soothing botanicals such as Cucumber, Chamomile and Calendula. The gel provides oil-free hydration while healing, calming irritation, decongesting pores, and reducing the appearance of redness and scarring.

With oil production is balanced and pores are refined, the treatment goals turn to reducing the incidence of breakouts, purifying and nourishing on the inside.

• Liver Love: A sluggish liver can mean poor clearance of hormones and toxins which can create what I describe as an overflow of toxins -the skin is often the first sign that a liver is needing some love. Our Beauty Detox Shot is a naturopath-created formula containing liver-loving nutrients and herbs including choline, turmeric and burdock. Design to address the causes of acne and breakouts on the inside this liquid works synergistically with topical treatments to have your skin looking clear and radiant.

For more tips on how to combat acne on the "inside" read our post here. 
Now that oil production is balanced and pores are refined, the treatment goals turn to reducing the incidence of breakouts, purifying and nourishing.

• Detoxify and control hormones: An imbalance of hormones can often be what perpetuates the cycle of breakouts and clogged pores. Our & Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse is a detoxifying sleep mask designed for use three times a week. Australian pink clay and volcanic zeolite draw out impurities and unclog pores. Avocado oil penetrates to the deeper epidermis layers to stop the conversion of testosterone into DHT (one of the hormones responsible for overactive sebaceous glands), balance sebum production and reduce greasiness.
• Exfoliate and purify: Regular exfoliation purifies and keeps pores clean. Using a natural formula like & Desert Lime Flawless Micro-Exfoliant ensures skin is not stripped of its natural (beneficial) oils. Rice Enzymes and Wattleseed slough away dead skin, refine pores and promote cellular turnover, while desert lime increases hydration and supports collagen production.

Ingredients to Avoid:
Sadly, in many cases, the products we use to combat our skin concerns can be the very cause of them. These are the acne-triggering topical ingredients you should avoid in your skincare routine:

• Sodium laureth sulfate: Sodium laureth sulfate (commonly added to face wash to make it foam) is what gives skin that squeaky clean feeling. Unfortunately, it strips skin of its natural oils, causing overproduction of sebum, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
• Synthetic fragrances: Synthetic fragrances are a major source of irritation for most skin types and are shown to trigger redness, irritation and inflammation.
• Mineral oil: Mineral oil is known to clog pores. It sits on top of the skin, creating a film that traps acne-causing dirt and bacteria beneath.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is an active ingredient in everything from cleansers and makeup removing wipes to acne treatments. The problem is that it's exceptionally drying and irritating. It breaks down skin's natural protective barrier and can actually exacerbate blemishes.
• Silicones: Silicones—found in many mattifying or smoothing products (e.g., primers, cosmetics and moisturisers)—can cause congestion and clogged pores.  
• Preservatives: The types of preservatives found in most beauty formulas, including parabens, ethylhexanol and even those claiming to be natural, are among the most common irritants. Instead, we use sodium anisate (derived from aniseed) and sodium levulinate (a cellulose starch) to keep our products stable.