Manuka Oil for Acne, Pimples and Zits

In general, regular tea tree oil can be found more frequently in today’s market. It is pressed out of the leaves of the tea tree bush that grows in Australia. However, some people are allergic to regular tea tree oil.

Manuka Oil is an essential oil won from the Manuka tree (leptospermum scoparium) that grows in New Zealand. The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, have known for a long time of the health benefits of the Manuka tree. That is how the European settlers learnt about the mysterious Manuka tree. Captain Cook himself named the Manuka tree “Tea Tree” because the native Maori made a tea out of the leaves that resembled green tea in taste and bitterness.

Manuka Oil from New Zealand is a certain type of tea tree oil that causes no allergies. People who are allergic to regular tea tree oil from Australia, or who have found that a skin problem got worse after applying regular tea tree oil, have switched to Manuka Oil, and found that it is very soothing. Manuka Oil does NOT further irritate an already irritated skin condition.

Essential Manuka Oil (tea tree oil) from New Zealand has powerful antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral properties. It also acts anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-parasitic.

This natural oil in soothing almond oil base is applied to many skin care problems such as acne, pimples and zits. Manuka Oil penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin where it disinfects and fights the bacteria related to acne and pimples. For this reason Manuka Oil can reach areas that other skin care products cannot reach. That makes Manuka Oil so valuable. Manuka Oil has the ability to strengthen the skin, making it more resistant to environmental influences. This extraordinary oil helps relaxing the nerves of the skin and thereby supports the process of skin regeneration and new formation of cells. A relaxed skin does not overreact to outer influences that fast.

In order for Manuka Oil to be even more effective it is highly recommended to clean the affected area with antibacterial Manuka Propolis Soap or Manuka Royal Jelly Soap before you apply the oil. This strong combination can be an alternative, very effective solution for your skin care problems, no matter on what part of your body! Generally, Royal Jelly Soap is used for minor skin problems and can be described as skin care soap, whereas Propolis Soap is used for skin problems of all different kinds.

A study conducted by the Cawthron Institute proofed that Manuka Oil can help to cure skin infections and irritations as it actively fights a wide range of bacteria. That also includes the bacteria associated with acne. The result of the study is impressive: Manuka Oil from New Zealand is 30 times more effective than regular tea tree oil from Australia.

What is Royal Jelly?

Royal Jelly is a unique substance from the honey bee. It is the highly concentrated food given to the beehives most important resident, the Queen Bee. Royal Jelly is well known for its nourishing and rejuvenating properties, richly concentrated with many vitamins, minerals, amino acids, pantothenic acid and collagen. Therefore it provides nourishment and conditioning for the skin.

Since biblical times, Royal Jelly has been known to contain unique health and beauty qualities beneficial to the human system. Royal Jelly furnishes nutrients thought to improve the health of skin cells, giving skin a soft, improved texture.

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is pure, raw, natural, organic honey collected from the flower of the tea tree bush (leptospermum scoparium) of New Zealand. Manuka Honey has been researched for over 20 years because of its amazing antibacterial qualities. Honey in general is soothing for the skin and provides it with important nutrients.

What is Propolis?

Propolis is a natural substance, which is collected by honey bees and is well known for antibacterial properties. It provides protection in the beehive, where it disinfects and sterilizes, promoting a disease free environment. The selective quality of propolis enables it to distinguish pathogenic bacteria from the friendly variety, which are left in place for the skin's natural defense system.

Frequently Asked Questions about Acne, Pimples and Zits

What is Acne and how does it develop?

What causes Acne and who gets it?

What is the difference between Adolescent and Adult Acne?

How can Acne be treated?

Common Acne Myths

What is Acne and how does it develop?

Acne is the most common skin disease in the USA affecting more than 17 million people. Acne occurs when the pores of the skin are plugged causing blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and zits that can even become cysts under the skin. Acne usually occurs on the face, neck, chest and the back. In severe cases the acne even reaches the shoulders and upper arms.

Not only severe acne can lead to scarring. Therefore it is important to treat this skin problem seriously.

Severe acne can even cause psychological and emotional problems. Teenagers that have to live with acne for several years often feel inferior and ashamed.

What causes Acne and who gets it?

Acne is caused by elevated hormone levels that occur mainly during puberty. The hormones that are changing are the androgenic (male) hormones that are present in both females and males. Those hormones cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that is usually needed to lubricate hair and skin. However, if an excess of sebum is produced that will, together with dead cells, eventually plug the pores of the skin. The sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles. In the clogged hair follicle the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) can get trapped and multiply causing inflammation and red swelling of the skin. If the wall of the follicle breaks down the inflammation can be spread to other parts of the skin causing other pimples.

Acne can affect teenagers but also adults, even into their 40s. Some adults that have never had acne during puberty get acne for the first time in their 20s.

Almost everyone suffers from occasional pimples and zits during puberty. However, 40% of all teens between the ages 13 and 17 suffer from acne that needs to be medically treated. Adolescent acne can start as early as the age of 10 and usually lasts for 5 to 10 years. In general, boys suffer from severe acne more often than girls. However, both, boys and girls are equally affected by acne. Girls tend to get pimples and zits related to their monthly cycle. In fact, many women are affected by skin problems right around the time of their menstruation.

What is the difference between Adolescent and Adult Acne?

Teenagers are more likely to develop acne because of the elevated hormone levels during puberty. The hormones change during puberty because of the growth and development of young adolescents. The hormones cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that eventually, together with dead cells, can plug the pores of the skin.

Acne that occurs during adulthood is also caused by the sebaceous glands producing too much sebum. The reasons for the elevated hormone levels are different though, because in adulthood the growth and development of a person is usually completed.

Adults that suffered from acne during puberty may in certain circumstances experience a flare-up of their acne. That can for example happen during pregnancy. But also people that have never suffered from acne during puberty can get acne during their adulthood. Certain medications that contain anabolic steroids can cause acne. In some cases acne occurs when parts of the skin are under physical pressure for a long time. However, most of the time acne in adulthood is related to a hormonal imbalance. Acne in adults affects women more than men. Women may sometimes have problems with acne when they discontinue their birth control pills. Also the wrong cosmetics, mainly comedogenic cosmetics, can cause acne in women. In any case, adults that suffer from acne should see a dermatologist in order to find the cause of the problem and eliminate it. Adult acne is generally harder to treat than adolescent acne.

How can Acne be treated?

There are many different ways to treat acne. Mild acne can sometimes be helped with over the counter products. The face needs to be gently washed twice a day and after exercising with a mild soap or skin cleanser, preferably antibacterial. Washing the face is important to remove dead skin cells and excess oil; however, washing alone will not clear up the face. Therefore it is important to treat the skin after washing with a topical treatment. In any case it is important not to try squeezing any pimples, zits or whiteheads. That will only press the bacteria deeper into the skin, causing inflammation and scarring.

It can also help to wash your hair daily so it doesn’t get oily and affect the skin when touching it.

Severe acne is best treated by a dermatologist. There is no universal treatment available since everyone reacts different to different treatments. Possible treatments are prescription creams, antibiotics or the strong medicine isotreinoin. Some doctors prescribe the birth control pill for girls with severe acne.

Many treatments however can cause unwanted side effects. A natural antibacterial product like Manuka Oil has no known side effects and is used to clear up acne.

It is important to start a treatment as early as possible to avoid scarring. If acne can be kept in control from the early beginning it will probably not become that big of a problem.

If acne is treated right, in nearly 100% of the cases it can be cleared.

Common Acne Myths

Many people think that acne is related to a poor hygiene and wash their skin too often and to hard. However, acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Extensive washing and treatment with aggressive products will only further irritate the skin and therefore worsen the condition. Washing is important to remove dead skin cells and excess oil, but it needs to be done with a mild product.

Note: It is important to change the pillow case at least once a week and always clean make up brushes and sponges. Also, pat drying your skin after washing it should always be done with a fresh clean towel.

For a long time it was said that acne was related to food. However, studies proof that this is not the case. Chocolate or pizza will not cause acne. Nevertheless, it cannot harm to eat a balanced diet.

Acne is also not caused by stress. Stress can indeed effect a change in hormone levels, but hormone levels changed by stress do generally not cause acne. It is definitely a myth that acne cannot be treated and needs to be left alone. There are treatments available and they have helped many people all over the world. In severe cases it is necessary to see a dermatologist to avoid possible acne scarring.