What's a natural health lover to do when most of the acne treatments out there contain potentially harmful ingredients that are tested on animals? Rest assured—it is possible to treat acne without resorting to harsh chemicals and products tested on animals. In the third part of our natural care for acne series, we’ll look at cruelty-free holistic skincare products, both topical and oral, that work with the skin to clear pores and strengthen the skin barrier.
See natural care for acne parts 1 and 2 now:
Acne won’t go away? Let’s talk about gut health…
and
What to do about acne caused by stress-related gut issues
Detox your environment
But before we get to acne treatments, let’s take a step back—it’s not just skincare that comes into daily contact with your skin.
The toxins around you may not be the number one cause of acne, but they can certainly contribute to inflammation and breakouts.
Think about what you come into contact with on a daily basis: cleaning products, laundry detergent, handsoap, shampoo, body lotion...The conventional versions of these products contain chemicals that can disrupt the microbiome of the gut and the skin.
To fill your home with gentle, natural, skin-friendly (not to mention environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free) alternatives to conventional cleaning products and toiletries, have a look at our posts:
Are Your House Cleaning Products as Bad for You as Smoking?
and
Go Eco-Friendly with (mostly) Plastic-Free Bathroom Essentials
Natural skincare for acne
These are the skin-nourishing, cruelty-free products that are gentle enough to support the health of the microbiome while also reducing inflammation and clearing the clogged sebaceous glands that cause acne.
Viridian
Organic Clear Skin Omega Oil
*Oral
*Vegan
*Cruelty-Free
Viridian's Organic Clear Skin Omega Oil provides a reliable source of omegas 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids which mitigate inflammation and free radical damage and support digestion. The oil is dominant in hydrating anti-inflammatory omega 3 fat, and it also contains a range of skin-healing antioxidants including vitamin E, carotenoids, phytosterols, and flavonoids. This combination strengthens the cellular structure of the skin and regulates the healthy regeneration of skin cells.
Clear Skin Complex
*Oral
*Vegan
*Cruelty-Free
Viridan’s Clear Skin Complex capsules contain a specifically formulated blend of active botanicals, key minerals, fat-soluble antioxidant carotenoids, and digestion-boosting probiotics that support clear, fresh, blemish-free skin. Pair with Viridian’s Organic Clear Skin Omega Oil for optimum results.
Organic Repair 5 Serum
*Topical
*Vegan
*Cruelty-free
Organic Repair 5 Serum is a luxurious all-over skin serum that conveys the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties of hydrating black seed oil to the skin. Extracts of lavender and chamomile soothe the skin and reduce redness. Use a few drops daily to promote radiant, smooth, blemish-free skin.
Green People
Oy! foaming clear skin face wash
*Topical
*Vegan
*Cruelty-free
Designed for young, acne-prone skin, Green People's Oy! foaming clear skin face wash contains skin-healing ingredients including green tea, willow bark, witch hazel, sage, and tea tree oil. The formula promotes a blemish-free complexion while reducing inflammation.
Shop Oy! foaming clear skin face wash
Salcura
Antiac Daily Face Wash
*Topical
*Vegan
*Cruelty-free
Antiac Daily Face Wash is for oily, congested and acne-prone skin. Rich in Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 and vitamin E, the face wash gently and effectively cleanses the skin without drying it or stripping it of its natural oils. Alpha-bisabolol, sea buckthorn, witch hazel, and aloe vera help soothe the skin, and reduce inflammation, redness, and the build-up of bacteria, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.
Antiac ACTIV Liquid Spray
*Topical
*Vegan
*Cruelty-free
Antiac ACTIV Liquid Spray can be used on the face and body to treat moderate to severe acne. It sinks into the skin to cleanse on a deeper level.The vitamins and minerals in the natural ingredients feed the skin from the inside out, leaving it feeling deeply cleansed and nourished.
After cleansing with a face wash, spray onto skin then wipe with a cotton pad to lift away dirt and dead skin cells, then spray on again and leave to seep into and nourish the skin.
A. Vogel
Viola tricolor (Wild Pansy)
*Oral
*Vegan
*Cruelty-free
Viola Tricolor contains saponins that enhance blood flow to the kidneys and eliminate toxins. The tincture also contains flavonoids that stabilise capillary membranes and soothe inflammatory conditions, especially those of the skin. These attributes along with its general cleansing action make it ideal for fighting acne from the inside out.
Dr. Hauschka
Dr. Hauschka’s acne treatment system contains 3 steps: cleanse, tone and moisturise with an oil (which they offer in place of a traditional moisturiser). The addition of the Clarifying Clay Mask is for anyone who needs that extra boost to deeply cleanse and purify the skin.
Cleansing Cream
*Topical
*Vegetarian
*Cruelty-free
The Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream is a gentle daily cleanser that refines and revitalizes as it exfoliates, fortifies, and refreshes. It protects the skin’s natural barrier to promote radiant skin. Sweet almond meal gently exfoliates and absorbs excess oil and impurities. Anthyllis and calendula extracts calm and clarify the complexion. St. John's Wort and chamomile extracts soothe the skin and reduce redness.
Clarifying Toner
The Clarifying Toner balances excessive oiliness, soothes redness and irritation, and minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, blemishes, and blackheads. Anthyllis daisy, and nasturtium work together to improve the texture of the skin and reduce excessive oiliness.
Clarifying Day Oil
The Clarifying Day Oil is a daily moisturiser that balances excessive oiliness, refines the appearance of pores, and reduces the appearance of blemishes for a calm, balanced complexion, all while hydrating the skin. Apricot kernel, sweet almond, and wheat germ oils balance the skin's natural oil content, carrot extract calms the skin, neem and calendula extracts minimise redness.
Clarifying Clay Mask
For use 1-2 times each week, Dr. Hauschka's Clarifying Clay Mask penetrates the skin’s layers to invigorate and clarify the skin while minimising blemishes and enlarged pores. Loess clay, nasturtium, and witch hazel bind with then loosen dirt particles before lifting and drawing them away from the skin. The skin is left refreshed, soothed, and deeply cleansed.
The whole body & mind approach
As we’ve seen, there’s no ‘magic bullet’ or ‘quick fix’ for getting rid of acne. But there are lots of actions you can take in different areas of your life to reduce the systemic inflammation that leads to acne so you get long-term results.
To learn how acne starts with gut health, have a look at Acne won’t go away? Let’s talk about gut health… And to learn how stress and the state of the mind contribute to acne, see What to do about acne caused by stress-related gut issues.
With each positive action you take, you’ll not only promote a clear complexion, but you’ll also improve the quality of your health and your life. Especially when those actions are kind to your body and to the world around you.
