My teenage daughter suffers badly from acne. Is there anything I can do for her?

It’s not unusual for teenagers to experience an outbreak of acne and this is usually due to fluctuating levels of hormones, such as oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone. 

I would first ask her what her menstrual cycle is like – what symptoms does she exhibit in the lead up to her period? Does she become more fatigued, prone to weepiness or find that her self-esteem takes a real hit? If this is the case, it’s possible that rising levels of progesterone could be linked to her acne outbreak.

It’s also important that you keep an eye on what your daughter is eating. Teenagers are notorious for stocking up on sugar foods, crisps and energy drinks but all of these can easily upset our skin. I talk a bit more about the types of foods to watch out for in my blog ‘5 foods that may encourage an acne outbreak’ but the important thing is to try to make sure her diet is balanced and that she’s getting a healthy intake of nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E, as well as key nutrients like zinc and selenium.

Your daughter may also be tempted to hide her acne under a layer of make-up but this doesn’t really help and may in fact exacerbate the breakout. This is because most high-street cosmetics are loaded with abrasive chemicals. Instead, I would invest in a high quality cleanser, toner and moisturiser that contain natural, soothing ingredients. Salcura are one of my favourite natural brands and they contain a range of products for acne-prone skin which you can find with our friends at Jan de Vries.

Our Echinacea Cream may also be beneficial in this instance as it’s specifically indicated for spot-prone skin. It’s extremely soothing and contains compounds that can promote healing as well as possessing natural antibacterial qualities.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best wishes,

Felicity