We're all familiar with those pesky red splotches on our faces. The dreaded acne. So many of us fall victim to its effects in our teens. Along with it, we also fall victim of marketing traps as we try product after product to try and fix the issue. We, as a culture, are familiar with the idea of acne but few of us really understand the mechanics of why our faces under go this transformation, and even fewer of us understand the chemicals we are using on our skin to try and cure it. So let's jump right into it.

What is Acne?

    Acne can be caused by several different things: hormone changes (including puberty and starting or stopping hormonal birth control), stress, bad eating habits, bad hygiene... All of these things will ultimately trigger the mechanism that is the actual physical cause of the acne. 

The sebaceous gland 

The center of your acne problems!

Whatever the reason for your acne, it all comes down to those little glands and the amount of sebum they're putting out. Sebum is the secretion that the gland creates to help naturally moisturize your skin. Before the invention of modern soaps, creams, and ointments for our skin and for that matter before the invention of taking baths, your sebaceous glands were responsible for protecting your skin from the elements. The sebum secreted out of your pores and helps to keep out bacteria by pushing the bacteria away from the opening of your pores.  This creates a barrier of sebum on your skin. This layer helps to lock in moisture and protects your skin from sun damage, allergens and toxins in the air. Without an even coating of sebum, your face can dry out breaking down your top layer of skin and leaving the skin prone to irritation.

Soap: The Double Edged Sword

So, then maybe we should just let nature do the work and not wash our faces ever again? Although the idea is tempting, we still have to deal with loads of other issues that the modern world presents. There is more pollution, dust and germs in the air around us than before. Not cleaning off our skin can leave it open to the possibility of infection in the event of a small scratch or something more serious. 

So how do we deal with the bacteria on our skin? 

Just like our intestines, our skin is one big bacterial colony. Using anti-bacterial soaps like Dial on our bodies achieves similar effects to taking an oral antibiotic does inside of your gut. Both oral antibiotics and anti-bacterial soaps completely wipe out our natural bacterial ecosystems.  Every time you take a bath with anti-bacterial soap, you are stripping away all of the bad bacteria, but also some of the good bacteria that protects your skin! Extremely hot water can also kill the bacterial colonies on your body, and further irritate your skin so make sure the water isn't too hot! 

So, now that you know how our skin works, lets talk about why we get acne. 

Your pores all over your body are actually tiny little hair follicles. And each one of these hair follicles has a sebaceous gland attached to them. As mentioned earlier, these glands excrete a substance called sebum that helps to push out any bacterias or allergens that may have found their way into the pores. 

Sometimes, when we are not keeping our faces clean, these pores can become blocked by dead skin cells that are not being cleaned away with soap and water. 

It is important to note that when dealing with acne, not all soaps are created equal. The less sudsy the soap you are using, the better. The best acne soap is one that will create a rich milky lather with very small bubbles. The problem with large bubbles of soap is that they have relatively high tension along their edges. This forces the soap into the top layers of the skin, and that is a bad thing. When soap gets into pores, it does help to dissolve oily sebum, but also narrows pores by drying out and tightening the skin around them. The soap bubbles, along with any dead skin cells and bacterias they picked up may get stuck below the skin's surface, triggering another clog and infection. A desirable acne cleanser makes a creamy lather of very small bubbles. Small bubbles do not force soap into pores, and make the cleanser easier to rinse off the skin.

When the pore gets clogged, sebum starts to accumulate below the skin, this will eventually result in a white head. If the blockage manages to break out of the pore, it will oxidize and be visible above the skin as a black head. A pimple is a result of bacteria growing underneath the blockage otherwise known as an infection. At this stage, inflammation will begin. If the infection is not treated the follicle will rupture and out will come the fluid associated with the bacterial infection. Often times, this will leave the pore enlarged and can lead to acne scarring. 

 Acne Medication

Most acne medications use the same chemicals to help you deal with the outbreaks. Here is a list of the 4 most common effective chemicals used in Acne products today, and their pros and cons. 

Benzoyl peroxide 
THE PROS 
Clears acne fast 
The main advantage of benzoyl peroxide is that it clears blemishes fast by killing the acne-causing bacteria. "Initially it was used just on affected areas because it would dry up the pimples very quickly," says Oakland, CA, dermatologist Katie Rodan, MD. Over time, new formulations and concentrations have been introduced, and today, products that contain lower concentrations are thought to be just as effective as those with higher concentrations. "This means you can get the same results without the dryness," she says. 

Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent 
According to a study published in Cosmetic Dermatology, benzoyl peroxide acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing oxygen in the skin. Because it reduces bacteria in the pore, it also works to reduce inflammation within the blemish. 

THE CONS 
Causes dehydration and could cause premature aging 
Benzoyl peroxide has been associated with premature aging and dehydrated skin since it causes irritation to occur-anything irritating is usually dehydrating. The dryer the skin, the older it appears. "Although the skin may look prematurely aged, we don't know if the effects are long-term. Once moisturizer is consistently used, the skin bounces back to normal," says Washington D.C., dermatologist

Can lead to hyperpigmentation 
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a characteristic of acne, and benzoyl peroxide does little to help it. "It can create significantly more hyperpigmentation, especially in medium to darker skin because of the irritation that it can cause," says Venice, CA, celebrity aesthetician Nacole Raphalian. 

Induces sun damage 
Benzoyl peroxide cleans the pore, but some say as it does this, it thins and decreases its ability to protect itself from the sun. "Benzoyl peroxide can cancel out the effects of your SPF and make the skin more sensitive to the sun," says Beverly Hills, CA, dermatologist Debra Luftman, MD. The less protection, the quicker photoaging can set in. 



Salicylic acid. 
​THE PROS - Salicylic acid helps kill the bacteria that create acne, and also helps encourage exfoliation, which opens up clogged pores and kills the bacteria inside. It can also constrict the pore diameter, helping to reduce the risk of future clogging.
THE CONS - To continue to see results, however, you must continue to use salicylic acid on a regular basis. This is not a cure for acne, but rather a tool to use in the daily battle.
The main concern with this ingredient is that it is drying and somewhat irritating, especially for sensitive skin types. Since many people with acne have reactive or sensitive skin, the use of salicylic acid may provide temporary relief, but then may backfire in the long run.As skin becomes dryer, it may react by producing more oil, which then will create acne once again, requiring the use of more salicylic acid, which then creates more dryness, setting you up for a vicious cycle that only causes the condition of your skin to deteriorate.


Alpha hydroxy acids. 
THE PROS
Two types of alpha hydroxy acids that are used in nonprescription acne products are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Alpha hydroxy acids are synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. They treat acne by helping to remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation. Alpha hydroxy acids also stimulate the growth of new, smoother skin. This helps improve the appearance of acne scars and gives the impression of smaller pores.

THE CONS
Irritation, burning, peeling, itching and photosensitivity can all occur when using Alpha hydroxy acids. Everyones skin is different and will react differently to varying levels.


Sulfur
THE PROS
Sulfer is a milk exfoliator, helping to remove dead skin cells which is essential to keeping the pored unclogged. It treats acne the most gently, Helps to treat skin wrinkles caused by acne.

THE CONS
Sulphur causes Skin Irritation after treating acne, skin Discoloration may be visible after acne sheds
 and few have complained the use of sulphur causes headaches. 

So how can halotherapy help to keep this under control?

So, lets review. We know that in the formation of acne two things are key, trapped bacteria and the resulting inflammation. Inflammation is triggered by infection. When your cells perceive danger, there is a protein that is released and the nearby cells around the danger site begin to swell. This is usually a good thing. Inflammation protects the cells from invading bacterias, viruses and injuries. Your body then sends out white blood cells to begin healing the affected area. Once the area is healed, in theory the inflammation is supposed to go back down, but sometimes our bodies can get a little out of whack and it can lead to chronic low levels of inflammation. 

When you go into a halotherapy room, and the crystals start to float in the air and fall on your skin, two things will happen. The dry salt crystal will act as a tiny little microscopic sponge, soaking up all the excess fluid that is causing the inflammation. The salt will draw out the water and the inflammation will decrease. The salt will also help to kill off some of that bacteria that was causing the inflammation in the first place.  

THE PROS
It's all natural. No chemicals, salt wont hurt your skin. With acne fighting chemicals there is a chance of getting rid of the acne but exposing yourself to new problems like dry or irritated skin from the chemicals. You wont have to remember 6 steps twice a day! I mean, who has time for that? Halotherapy also has tons of other benefits that acne medicines won't give you like respiratory benefits, and stress relief!

THE CONS
It is an ongoing thing, just like acne medicine, you're going to have to keep up with it. The good news is though, 2-3 times a week in a Halotherapy room should help the issue. 


To complement the halotherapy, you should be washing your face every day with some natural products that wont irritate your skin. Skin care products that are salt based are a great complement to halotherapy. Check out my blog entry about Mindful Minerals to complete your salty skin care regimen!


I hope you guys learned something from this blog entry! I know I certainly learned a whole lot about acne that I didn't know! Please leave me some comments!

Here at Strictly Salt of Metairie, it's pretty obvious what were excited about.... SALT, of course!

I spent months researching and carefully selecting products we wanted to bring to the community, being mindful of what our clients need. Mindful Minerals is by far my pride and joy at Strictly Salt. We are so happy to be part of the Mindful Minerals family. Let's dive right into mindful minerals!
​

Mindful Minerals is a skin care company based out of Miami, FL. Their main mission is to provide
toxin-free, affordable, all natural skin care products. These products are mindful of the environment, vegan (with the exception of one product), and cruelty free. Every product from Mindful Minerals is packed with the highest concentration of Dead Sea water that each product can sustain.

Water from the dead sea is so special because it contains a wide variety of important minerals that our bodies need to function optimally. Humans have become so mineral deficient because of the lack of minerals in our diets. Even those of us who try to eat healthy may find that they are not receiving the same nutritional and mineral benefits that we were getting before modern farming practices started to drain the soil of all of its nutrients. These practices are making the food we eat deficient in nutrients too.  

Besides the food we eat, we also receive nutrients through our skin, which is why it is so important to be mindful of what we are putting on our bodies as well as in our bodies! Our skin is capable of absorbing up to 35 minerals from Dead Sea water which is great news for our bodies! These minerals penetrate our skin and travel to our joints and our blood stream giving our bodies the minerals it needs to promote self healing and self regulation. 

A few examples of these 35 Dead Sea water minerals and their benefits:
Bicarbonate - Balances PH
Boron - Builds Muscle Tissue
Bromide - A natural antibiotic that helps to heal and relieve skin disorders
Calcium- Strengthens cell membranes and cleanses pores
Chromium - Promotes healthy skin and a healthy circulatory system
Manganese - reduces cholesterol, assists in blood clotting, and increases antioxidant production
Silica- Promotes the formation of collagen, improves skin elasticity to inhibit the aging process. 
Zinc - Antioxidant to fight viruses and to aid in tissue repair and curb acne breakouts. 

JUST TO NAME A FEW!

DID YOU KNOW IT ONLY TAKES 26 SECONDS FOR CHEMICALS TO ENTER THE BLOOD STREAM?

11,000 chemicals are found in the products that we use here in the U.S.'s beauty industry in everything from nail polish to hair spray. including cosmetics specifically for topical application. Only 11% of those chemicals have been properly tested and approved for safety by the FDA and from those 11% that passed approval, a whopping 200 of those chemicals are banned overseas in the European Union! 

Our bodies are capable of absorbing up to 5 pounds of cosmetics through our skin each year! That equates to about 60% of the actual product getting absorbed, and in children that number can be even higher. Some health issues that have been associated to those toxic chemicals found in cosmetics are; fertility issues, learning disabilities, hormone disruption, birth defects, and skin allergies!

But the good news is, you can SIGNIFICANTLY reduce your toxic load by switching to safe non-toxic products. In as little as three days, endocrine disrupting chemicals can drop as much as 40% after making the switch! There are several smart phone apps available that can guide you away from choosing toxic products. Always be on the lookout for promotional products that try to support such causes as Breast Cancer Awareness. Many of those products contain known cancer causing agents!

Now that we know a little bit more about other products lets talk a bit more about Mindful Minerals!
Not only is it non-toxic, but Mindful Minerals is sensitive skin friendly. I, personally, have extremely sensitive skin! I have been restricted to a select few products that have the least amount of chemicals in them as possible. The change in the beauty industry that has occurred in the last 10 years has really taken a toll on my skin. I had to stop using Aveeno, which was my cosmetic of choice from a young age. The company switched the main ingredients in their oat based formula to a cheaper and more readily available soy based formula which was making my face suddenly break out in enormous liquid filled blisters in my late teens! It took several months before I decided to try out the natural based Neutrogena Naturals skin care line and I've been using that ever since. It is one of the very few products out there that does not contain soy, does not make my eyes water, and does not irritate my skin. Neutrogena has been working well with my skin over the last 10 years that I have been using them until I turned 30 last year and I started noticing my skin changing. No longer young and vibrant and I started to see the first appearances of fine lines along my mouth and eyes. My skin started to look aged, but all of the products available to me for anti aging contained ingredients that were allergens for me. After having tried Mindful Minerals for a few days, I just felt like a whole new person. My skin's moisture was restored, and over the next three months I saw an improvement in those lines around my mouth and eyes! WHEW! SO, I decided... this is the skin care line I want to feature at Strictly Salt of Metairie!

Mindful Minerals likes their dealers to host trunk shows every now and again to draw in some new clients interested in trying out the products without actually having to purchase first! What a great way to introduce a product into a community so i scheduled a trunk show for our store. The coffee was made, the cookies and brownies were purchased, and the retail area was set up for an evening of pampering. Hind sight being 20/20, maybe I should have chosen healthier treats than cookies, brownies and coffee! Maybe next time!

Everyone had such a fun evening trying out the products which, I'm going to tell you a little about.

We tried out 6 products 
Mud Face wash - Featuring water and mud from the dead sea. Such a gentle and light cleanser, leaves your skin feeling so fresh and smooth!

Get Even - Exfoliating Cleanser - This cleanser is such a great exfoliator and its especially formulated to combat hyper pigmentation that happens as a result of the aging process. This product is a little difficult to spread. The paste likes to clump together and you really need to work it into your face. ​

Get Dirty Mud Mask - This is by far my favorite. Made of Dead Sea water and Dead Sea Mud. We had a participant who has been to the dead sea on holiday exclaim "Look! this is exactly the color the mud at the dead sea actually was!". As we all donned our mud masks looking utterly ridiculous looking like swamp creatures, we could all feel the tingling sensations of the mud working its magic, or rather its minerals! 

Get - Clear Cranberry Toner - Proven to significantly reduce redness and helps to reduce pore size!

Get Carded - This wonderful moisturizer has a very effective anti aging peptide!

BBCC Cream - This was a crowd favorite! We only have the cream in one color (medium) which miraculously matched 11 out of 12 participants!!!! The BBCC cream does it all. It's takes the place of your foundation, your daily SPF, concealer your anti aging and more, it smells great too!

Last was a product we were selling as part of the bundle but not trying out tonight. It is an overnight Face and Lip Balm called "rescue me". I absolutely love this product for when I'm feeling dullness and dryness in my skin. Its also excellent to help recover your face from sunburn or harsh winter winds.

Everyone was pleased with their experience with Mindful Minerals. We all left Strictly Salt last night feeling pampered! Every one's skin looked radiant! The most dramatic though was noticed by my aunt who decided she would do her facial a few hours before the crowd arrived to save me time! She has chronic issues with rosacea and the results were nothing short of amazing. Check it out.

Her skin showed drastic improvement after only one day using the exfoliating cleanser, mud mask, toner, and mineral peptide! Needless to say she went home with a few products!

We had someone try the Rescue me balm on their sunburnt back after they went home with the product. They had excellent results! 

I was pretty impressed with how quickly it soothed the sun burn. I have only tried it for face dryness and general dehydration! 


Really looking forward to our next Mindful Minerals Trunk show!!!!
Thank you all for reading and please feel free to leave a few questions of comments below!