Question : MY 16-year-old son has acne and extreme oily skin. What do you suggest?
Answer : ACNE is a chronic skin disorder caused by inflammation of the hair follicles and the oil-producing sebaceous glands in the skin.
Acne occurs most commonly in teenagers and to a lesser extent in young adults. The condition results in part from excessive stimulation of the skin by male hormones.
Teenagers with an oily face usually have over-active sebaceous glands that produce more oil than usual. Bacterial infection of the skin may also be a factor.
Your son should have an adequate intake of water, fresh fruits and vegetables. Bright-coloured fruits and green leafy vegetables such as carrot, tomatoes, beetroot and spinach are rich in antioxidants and fibre.
He should avoid highly refined carbohydrates and processed foods such as sugar, chocolates, pastries, junk food and white bread as these may trigger flare-ups.
You may consider giving your son beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, which are important for skin repair.
Vitamin C is needed to form collagen and the mineral zinc helps normalise oil production from sebaceous glands and prevents scarring.
He may wash his face with a cleanser formulated with tea tree oil, St John's wort and calendula.
Tea tree oil has remarkable antiseptic properties while St John's wort and calendula are soothing for the skin.
This combination cleanser goes deep into the skin and controls oily complexion. It also soothes and brings down inflammation. Applying a tea tree oil-based repair gel to the skin may hasten the healing.