Acne is a common disorder which affects a lot of people, if not most people at some point in their life and it is no doubt often a very stressful time. Acne can appear in a variety of ways and bumps, such as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and worse of all, and most likely to cause scarring, cysts. Aggressive breakouts are commonly associated with teenagers as their bodies are changing and hormones are causing chaos, which results in the skin producing too much oil, known as sebum. This is an oil which lubricates the hair and skin, but if too much is produced, pores become clogged with the excess oil as well as with dead skin cells. Bacteria can then get trapped in the pores and start to multiply; this is what causes our skin to swell, become red and painful. It's not just hormone changes which can see you break out and even if you are not a sufferer of acne, sometimes pimples or spots appear at the very worst time! No one likes waking up in the morning to see a red mound on their chin the day of a first date or a big presentation! However, it is these kinds of personal events which can cause a bad breakout. An increase in stress levels can cause your body to release more cortisol, which then encourages your oil glands to produce more sebum, leading to a spot or five! You may find yourself in a spot inducing stress circle with the more stressed-out you get, the more your skin reacts. The products you put on your skin can also play a big part on how your skin behaves. Using products which have pore-clogging properties, such as a silicones and mineral oils which are often found in conventional moisturising products will set back your skin's appearance (good news though, you will not find a single trace of mineral oils at Naturisimo). Look out for ingredients such as AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) which slough away dead skin cells, Salicylic Acid which helps clear pores by exfoliating inside the hair follicle and Tea Tree Oil, which is a well-known natural blemish fighter with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. With gentle, skin healing ingredients in mind, we've picked out 5 of the best face masks for acne prone skin to be enjoyed once or twice a week as a skin-pampering treat! African Botanics Marula Mineral Face Mask Packed with an abundance of nutrients and minerals rich in iron, zinc, copper and magnesium, this concoction of exquisite Marula oil and plant stem cells in the Marula Mineral Face Mask delivers much-needed oxygen to our skin. Formulated specifically to target redness, inflammation, acne and skin breakouts this luxury face mask boasts key ingredients such as Marula, Baobab and African Bush plants to purify the skin, clearing congested pores while brightening and smoothing the skin. These are not the only key ingredients which may help heal your skin, Phytocell Alp Rose deeply rejuvenates the skin while addressing facial blemishes, breakouts and oxidative stress which leads to healthy glowing skin. Treat yourself 2-3 times a week for 5-15 minutes at a time to gently exfoliate and refresh the skin. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask We couldn't talk about improving the health and look of your skin without mentioning the queen of green skincare herself, Tata Harper. The 100% natural Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask works to eliminate a dull and blemished complexion using pomegranate enzymes that provide deep cleansing and pore minimisation. The formulation is created to help treat congested skin and clear dead skin cells for an instant revitalised appearance. It's a gentle gel-like formula with no grains or exfoliants, so it's ideal for those with sore or sensitive skin. If you have oily or blemished prone skin, use this mask up to 3 times a week, or just the once for healthy skin. Apply a thick layer and leave for 20-30 minutes or just 10 minutes if you have particularly sensitive skin. Pai Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask If your skin is prone to sensitivity, then Pai have your back. Their Pai Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask is packed with innovative fruit enzymes and anti-blemish actives to purify your pores without tightening or drying out the skin. The impurities in the skin are drawn out by the key ingredient, Copaiba. Copaiba is a sap like substance which is taken from the trunk of a tree that belongs to the Copaifera species. It boasts anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties which work to target persistent blemishes. REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask Combat congestion, blackheads and blemishes with this cult favourite from REN Skincare. The Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask features a sophisticated blend of Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric Acid from pineapples, passion fruit, lemon and grape exfoliate to decongest and remove dead skin cells. Glycolic Acid, Lactic and Tartaric Acids are molecules known as AHA's or Alpha Hydroxy Acid. They are naturally derived from sugar cane (glycolic), milk (lactic) and grapes (tartaric). There are two more beneficial acids which fall into this category which is from oranges and lemons (citric acid) and apples and pears (malic acid). Glycolic acid is particularly useful when dealing with acne or blemished skin care, as the natural ingredients gently and safely remove the outer layer of dead skin cells, revealing fresh new skin to the surface. Other key components to note in the REN Renewal Mask is Omega 3 and 7 and Papain from Mexican Papaya to exfoliate dead cells. Apply generously and leave it to do its thing for 10 minutes once a week. MV Skincare Purifying & Balancing Mineral Mask Another ingredient to look out for when trying out a face mask is clay. It's a very calming ingredient, which soothes inflammation in the skin as well as drawing out any dangerous toxins. The MV Skincare Purifying & Balancing Mineral Mask is just ideal for those looking to banish breakouts or combat excess oil. The key ingredients of white and green French clay absorb the excess oil in the skin while soaking up all traces of dirt and grease. We're sure we are not the only ones who love putting on a clay face mask and waiting for it to tighten so we can watch it crack and flake? This is not good for the skin. When applying a face mask, allow for the product to start drying, when this first starts happening it's your skin drinking in all the minerals and other benefits packed into the formula. Then, after it has had some time to dry, the blood flow in your skin becomes stimulated, and the capillaries are being exercised - just what we want from a face mask! After this happens and the mask completely dries, the mask will begin to draw out moisture from the skin, don't let this happen. Once it's in its final stage of drying, wash away the mask with warm water - so it doesn't suck out the goodness in your skin! For more skin pampering, for all skin types, shop here for Masks and Treatments
