Teenage Skin

Acne is common among teens, however even though a large percentage of teens will struggle with their skin, it doesn’t make it any less frustrating to deal with. It can also affect their mental health. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that in the first year of being diagnosed with acne, patients were 63% increased risk of developing depression compared to patients who did not have acne.

Topical treatment for acne or breakouts is the most common initial treatment approach. There is a multitude of different lotions and potions on the market targeted at acne and breakouts, mostly targeting oil and bacteria by stripping the skins delicate barrier, over time often leading to inflammation due to the barrier becoming impaired and an over-production of oil – if we strip something away, the body has to work harder to replace it, go figure.  

The lowdown

Acne is a complex condition, and getting to the root of the cause for the individual is important for addressing it appropriately. This is why the skincare only, one-size-fits-all approach often doesn’t yield the desired results, especially not long-term.

Hormonal acne which often presents as raised lumps under the skin, and is especially seen around the jaw and neck area. These spots often don’t turn into a pustule, but are hard, red (inflamed) and sore. Hormonal skin can be caused by androgens such as testosterone. This can be in excess or we can be sensitive to it. This causes the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil. In females around mid-cycle or around the period, due to a drop in estrogen levels, breakouts can also occur.

Digestive related acne is also a common driving force. Leaky gut which is when undigested food particles (due to insufficient acids and enzymes to properly breakdown food is impaired). This caused an upset of the bacterial balance in the gut and causes inflammation. Impaired digestion also causes malabsorption of nutrients from our food which means we also don’t get the benefits of the vitamins and minerals from the food we are consuming, nutrients that the skin needs. Oats (2019) states that SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is ten times as prevalent in people with acne (P.34). This is a condition where there is increased amounts of bacteria in the small intestine leading to malabsorption, digestive issues and inflammation.

My Approach to Teen Skin

Due to the number of possible factors which can cause acne and breakouts, I work by considering all the possible factors which are the driving force behind the condition, I look at;

• The use of appropriate skin care
• Gut health
• Dietary factors
• Hormone imbalance
• Lifestyle factors such as stress

Skin Care

As mentioned above, there are numerous skin care products marketed towards acne and controlling oil and breakouts, but marketing is a great thing. Ensuring a non-toxic, quality brand is used which helps to gently cleanse and control excess oil production without stripping away the skins natural barrier is vitally important. I use professionally and prescribe Rosactive Phytoceutical skincare to my clients. The PURE line from the range helps to cleanse the skin while keeping the hydro-lipid layer intact, this is important for keeping inflammation at bay, the skin hydrated and protected from external pathogens.

Gut Health

Keeping the gut functionally optimally is vital for keeping inflammation at bay but also ensuring the balance of bacteria in the gut is in the correct ratio. Addressing impaired gut and digestive symptoms is key for this e.g. if you experience bloating, reflux, cramping, constipation/ diarrhea and gas, these are pretty key indicators your guts isn’t functionally optimally.

Dietary Factors

Sugar and cows dairy are commonly known to be skin aggravators when it comes to breakouts. Sugar causes an increase in oil production, feeds unbeneficial bacteria and creates inflammation, dairy also creates inflammation. The intake of refined and processed foods which are hard to digest can cause gut issues, sluggish oil production and inflammation.

Hormone Imbalance

As mentioned above, testosterone and estrogen can play a role in skin breakouts, assessing weather this is a factor is also key in helping to address acne. Gut heal also plays a role in weather excess hormones can be efficiently removed from the body via the bowel, otherwise reabsorbed causing imbalance.

Lifestyle Factors

Stress in particular plays a massive role in how our body as a whole functions which filters down to the skin. Excess cortisol (a key stress hormone produced by the body during times of stress) is inflammatory, but also upsets the balance of bacteria in the gut and lowers the immune function.

When addressing the skin, I look at the person as an individual, taking into account all possible driving forces behind what’s going on for them and create a treatment based on that. This may include ;

• Professional skin treatments
• Dietary & lifestyle alterations
• Supplement support