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What is Acne?

Your skin is covered with pores (hair follicles). Pores contain oil glands (sebaceous glands) that make oil (sebum) to moisten your skin and hair.  A pimple (acne) is a small, red infection that develops when the walls of the pores are broken, and oil (sebum), bacteria, and dead skin cells get under the skin and clog your pores. 

Teens get acne because of the hormone changes that come with growing up.  As your body begins to develop, these hormones stimulate your sebaceous glands.  When the glands become overactive too much oil (sebum) is created, and the oil clogs the pores and that leads to acne.  Clogged pores also may cause whiteheads and blackheads. 

There are many different forms of acne, however, acne vulgaris is the most common form. It is estimated that as many as 80% of teens have some form of acne at one point. People who had nice skin in their teen years could develop acne later as adults.

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, which grows in the northeastern coastal region of New South Wales, Australia.
 
Studies have shown Tea Tree Oil to have good antifungal and antiseptic properties, good skin penetration and a minimum of allergic reactions. Tea Tree Oil is effective at killing most strains of Propionibacterium acnes (which cause vulgaris acne).

Washing Techniques

Keeping your face free of oil requires that you wash it with warm water several times per day.  We recommend  that you use our all natural Tea Tree soap.  Skin must maintain the proper pH levels to remain healthy.  You must be very careful to avoid commercial soaps.  They are really detergent bars and are very drying to your skin. If your skin gets too dry, it will produce more oil, and the oil is more likely to become trapped in your pores causing more breakouts.

Do not vigorously scrub your skin.  Wash cloths are not recommended as they may irritate the skin. Do not use granular facial scrubs either.  They can make acne worse by aggravating the skin.  Don't squeeze, pick, scratch, or rub your skin. Scars may form if you squeeze pimples.

Wash your face by gently rotating your soap lathered hands on your face.  Use our mild nonabrasive all natural Tea Tree soap. Rinse well with warm water. Using a clean soft towel, gently pat dry your face. 

Tea Tree Oil Treatment

After washing your face with our all natural Tea Tree soap, use cotton swabs or cotton balls to apply the Tea Tree oil to each blemish.  Avoid contact with eyes.  Apply the Tea Tree oil as often as necessary, but once a day is usually enough.  Discontinue use temporarily if your skin starts to become too dry.  Once blemishes start to clear away, you may continue to use the Tea Tree soap or you may want to switch to another all natural, detergent and chemical free soap.  We recommend our Calendula soap.  It is unscented and made for sensitive skin. 

Guidelines

Wash your hands more frequently.  Try to keep your  hands  off your  face as much as possible.  Don't  rest  your face on  your hands  while  you watch TV, read or study.
 
Keep hair clean and style it away from your face. Pull  your  hair  away  from  your  face when you sleep. 

Avoid getting sunburned.

Avoid extreme stress if possible. When you're stressed, your pores may make more oil (sebum). Practice stress reduction strategies such as exercise or meditation.

Get physical exercise regularly.  Always wash your face after you've been exercising and sweating a lot.

Sometimes hats can cause pimples along the hairline.  If this is the case, avoid wearing hats.

Foods

Acne isn't caused by eating greasy foods, chocolate, or soda drinks.

Cosmetics

If you wear cosmetics, look for ones that are oil-free and not just water-based. Choose products that are "non-comedogenic" (should not cause whiteheads or blackheads) or "non-acnegenic" (should not cause acne).  Remove your cosmetics every night with our recommended soap and water.

Shaving

Men, shave only when necessary.  Always use a sharp blade in your safety razor and shave lightly to avoid nicking the blemishes.  For some an electric shaver is more comfortable.