171 replies to this topic

[axamenta]

Quick report: It's been two months since I bought grape seed oil. I (try to) put it on my face daily, but I don't see much difference. I have mainly comedonal acne.

[Listener]

Alternativista:

What are your thoughts on taking linoleic acid as a supplement? Heard any reports of people trying this before?

http://journals.camb...367dab8427fc72d

(link doesn't work: title of paper is 'Modification of skin composition by conjugated linoleic acid alone or with
combination of other fatty acids in mice')

Edited by Listener, 31 July 2012 - 04:24 AM.

[alternativista]

Alternativista:

What are your thoughts on taking linoleic acid as a supplement? Heard any reports of people trying this before?

http://journals.camb...367dab8427fc72d

(link doesn't work: title of paper is 'Modification of skin composition by conjugated linoleic acid alone or with
combination of other fatty acids in mice')

A couple of people have posted here that they were planning to. I didn't find any studies on that and most of the researchers felt that a dietary deficiency was unlikely, especially among the general SAD eating population. The manufacturers of the supplement for dogs with sensitive skin make oral supplements as well as topical and with most dogs being fed a grain based dog food, I'd think it's unlikely they have a dietary deficiency as well.

There is a post or two in this thread filled with links to studies and research I'd found when trying to find the root cause of our linoleic acid deficiency. But I'd end up with so many open windows and so many tangents and I ran out of time and quit. But there's plenty there that you could follow up on. There is at least one or two that mention a mutation in an enzyme/gene which affects this and other factors in healthy skin and acne, so it's possible there's nothing we can do about that.

But the linoleic acid deficiency seems to be a root cause of so many factors in acne. For example since it plays a role in regulating/inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, it's a factor in why we acne prone people have more of this enzyme and thus more DHT and thus tend to have oilier skin.

[alternativista]

Study showing a relationship between glucose tolerance, serum insulin and lipid profile/FFAs

http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/1185889

It's about obesity and heart disease. And I didn't bother trying to understand it. It's just some evidence that there's a connection. And I think I've posted other stuff on the affects of glucose/insulin on this linoleic acid deficiency.

[wicky]

when you talk about Linoleic Acid Deficiency, is it possible to take it in supplement form as well as topically? Grapeseed Oil tends to clog me as Ive tried it many times. I also have Seborrheic Dermatitis on the sides of my face which is generally aggrevated by any oils and I also suffer from Rosacea pretty much on my nose and cheeks. My skin has so many areas that need to be treated differently its hard to find one thing that works for all. My chin clogs with tiny hard solidified sebum that I have to pry out of my skin daily. This started about two years ago and I cannot figure out why or what contributed to the change. Ive tried dietary changes for almost two years now, good supplements, probiotics by the handfuls, no processed foods, water only and no water during meals. Digestive enzymes to help digest my food as I now have tested positive for many food intolerances (ALCAT Testing). I have tried restoring gut flora by repairing my gut with Glutamine and Florastore and something called Cytoflora. Nothing has worked. My skin is in a constant state of inflammation that I chase around trying to cover with concealer. It never works. The worst areas are the sides of my face toward my inner cheeks and down toward jaw. There not pimples just flat red patches that will fllare red and then die down in a few days but will always stay pink and need to be covered. Eventually they will flare up again. Ive been told they are not rosacea related because of their location and are not pimples so they do not repsond to sal acid or ahas' or even harsher things like ziana gel. Ive tried over the counter holistic rosacea treatment called Prosacea which has 1% sulfur in it. This does nothing either. Ive tried a 1% steroid that will minimize the redness but I wont continue with it and only try for it day or two. What am I missing? I am also dry and flakey but oily at the same time. I have researched with for two years and am obsessed with finding the answer because derms are useless but I cannot achieve my goals. My quality of life has completley changed and really dont know what to do anymore. I have lost over 40lbs on my 5'9 frame and cannot afford to lose anymore. Im look terrible.

My stomach is also a disaster. It seems to be okay in the morning and I have regular bowel movements but by the time I eat dinner (which is lean protein, meats, veggies, fish and some brown rice or quinoa) it is a churnning gurgling mess. It makes load noises when finally sit down to watch a little TV so many thats why I hear it more. What can I try?

[alternativista]

when you talk about Linoleic Acid Deficiency, is it possible to take it in supplement form as well as topically? Grapeseed Oil tends to clog me as Ive tried it many times. I also have Seborrheic Dermatitis on the sides of my face which is generally aggrevated by any oils and I also suffer from Rosacea pretty much on my nose and cheeks. My skin has so many areas that need to be treated differently its hard to find one thing that works for all. My chin clogs with tiny hard solidified sebum that I have to pry out of my skin daily. This started about two years ago and I cannot figure out why or what contributed to the change. Ive tried dietary changes for almost two years now, good supplements, probiotics by the handfuls, no processed foods, water only and no water during meals. Digestive enzymes to help digest my food as I now have tested positive for many food intolerances (ALCAT Testing). I have tried restoring gut flora by repairing my gut with Glutamine and Florastore and something called Cytoflora. Nothing has worked. My skin is in a constant state of inflammation that I chase around trying to cover with concealer. It never works. The worst areas are the sides of my face toward my inner cheeks and down toward jaw. There not pimples just flat red patches that will fllare red and then die down in a few days but will always stay pink and need to be covered. Eventually they will flare up again. Ive been told they are not rosacea related because of their location and are not pimples so they do not repsond to sal acid or ahas' or even harsher things like ziana gel. Ive tried over the counter holistic rosacea treatment called Prosacea which has 1% sulfur in it. This does nothing either. Ive tried a 1% steroid that will minimize the redness but I wont continue with it and only try for it day or two. What am I missing? I am also dry and flakey but oily at the same time. I have researched with for two years and am obsessed with finding the answer because derms are useless but I cannot achieve my goals. My quality of life has completley changed and really dont know what to do anymore. I have lost over 40lbs on my 5'9 frame and cannot afford to lose anymore. Im look terrible.

My stomach is also a disaster. It seems to be okay in the morning and I have regular bowel movements but by the time I eat dinner (which is lean protein, meats, veggies, fish and some brown rice or quinoa) it is a churnning gurgling mess. It makes load noises when finally sit down to watch a little TV so many thats why I hear it more. What can I try?

Well, you want to focus on your digestive issues. Nothing is really going to work until that's better. Have you tried consuming healing foods like aloe vera, cactus/cactus pear and other slimy foods? The plant mucin helps restore your mucin linings. And made bone broths to for sources of easily digested nutrients that heal.

And maybe you don't want to eat much for dinner? I eat most of my calories earlier in the day and tend to have a green smoothie and/or broth or veggie soup at night.

Have you tried massaging the oil in the areas with clogged pores to unclog them? That's how I manage blackheads.

[wicky]

I used to drink 8oz of aloe vera juice throughout the day but since I did ALCAT intolerance testing back in March, I stopped as I tested severe for aloe vera. It did help with my stomach a lot. I dont drink green smoothies but have tried them in the past but wasnt consistent, Maybe its time to try again.

I eat often but small. My dinner is relatively normal amount and its early in the evening (5-5:30) and then a cup of green tea around 9pm and my cheat of a gluten free almond cookie. Its what I look forward to all day!! I cannot give it up entirely as I feel one cookie a day is not causing my problems when my entire diet is pretty healthy and clean. I have also tried Tumeric to reduce inflammation but didnt really see results. And yes I have tried many oils...Jojoba, Grapeseed, Hemp and Seabuckthorn to name a few all applied liberally and sparingly to the areas and boy did it create more of a mess. It added to my many clogs and they all needed to be extracted only to come back again. I cant get them to stay away. Jojoba was the absolute worst for my chin area. I do apply one drop to a wet face on my nose and center cheeks where my pores are larger and do get stuck with hard sebum but this has lessened it. I dont know why it doesnt work the same for my chin pores. Maybe because they are smaller. I even did a stint last year with low dose accutane of 20mg once a week. I did it for 13 weeks and it didnt help at all and sent my seborrheic dermatitis into a tail spin. I also must mention, I had some blood work done as Im BHRT hormone cream for menopause and my DHEA levels were out of whack as well as my thryoid #'s were low. Dr just started me on Armour thyroid meds this past week. Regular dose is 60mg a day but hes starting me slow at 30mg. Not sure but have gotten some red bumps on my face since.

I noticed in your regimen you use aloe vera mixed with niancinamide and a moisturizer with linoleic acid. Can you tell me what moisturizer you use? I have tried aloe mixed with niacinamide many times and have not seen it help with my red seborrhea patches for some reason.

[alternativista]

I used to drink 8oz of aloe vera juice throughout the day but since I did ALCAT intolerance testing back in March, I stopped as I tested severe for aloe vera. It did help with my stomach a lot. I dont drink green smoothies but have tried them in the past but wasnt consistent, Maybe its time to try again.

I eat often but small. My dinner is relatively normal amount and its early in the evening (5-5:30) and then a cup of green tea around 9pm and my cheat of a gluten free almond cookie. Its what I look forward to all day!! I cannot give it up entirely as I feel one cookie a day is not causing my problems when my entire diet is pretty healthy and clean. I have also tried Tumeric to reduce inflammation but didnt really see results. And yes I have tried many oils...Jojoba, Grapeseed, Hemp and Seabuckthorn to name a few all applied liberally and sparingly to the areas and boy did it create more of a mess. It added to my many clogs and they all needed to be extracted only to come back again. I cant get them to stay away. Jojoba was the absolute worst for my chin area. I do apply one drop to a wet face on my nose and center cheeks where my pores are larger and do get stuck with hard sebum but this has lessened it. I dont know why it doesnt work the same for my chin pores. Maybe because they are smaller. I even did a stint last year with low dose accutane of 20mg once a week. I did it for 13 weeks and it didnt help at all and sent my seborrheic dermatitis into a tail spin. I also must mention, I had some blood work done as Im BHRT hormone cream for menopause and my DHEA levels were out of whack as well as my thryoid #'s were low. Dr just started me on Armour thyroid meds this past week. Regular dose is 60mg a day but hes starting me slow at 30mg. Not sure but have gotten some red bumps on my face since.

I noticed in your regimen you use aloe vera mixed with niancinamide and a moisturizer with linoleic acid. Can you tell me what moisturizer you use? I have tried aloe mixed with niacinamide many times and have not seen it help with my red seborrhea patches for some reason.

The aloe niacinimide blend with a little oil is my moisurizer. Olay and Paula begun all have products that contain it. Have you tried glycerin for your dry patches. I get a vegetable glycerin when I order my vitamins. It's not much more expensive than the petroleum based stuff you get at drug stores.

Edited by alternativista, 14 August 2012 - 11:26 AM.

[wicky]

what oil are you mixing your aloe and niacinamide with...hemp? Ive never tried Olay but have used Paula's products before and shame on her for putting some really bad ingredients in her products. SLS in alot of her cleansers and almond oil in her BHA's. Not good. Ive often wondered why every time I try her BHA's whether its 1% or 2% i break out massively and it makes my clogs worse. I need to find out why I break out. I the area on my jawline gets weird red hive like bumps occasionally before my period so Im figuring thats hormonal. I am on bioidentical hormone cream so Im kind of surprised that Im breaking out. I have tested intolerant to many foods thru ALCAT testing but removed them from my diet now for 6 months and initially saw improvement but not so much anymore. I have tons of blood work done and I know my FSH levels were high, estrogen low and I believe my DHEA was also low.. My dr said my thyroid was borderline low as well. I have not seen any improvement with diet restrictions and changes after 18 months so im not sure how to proceed and what to do or eat..Its very frustrating after all this time that nothing has panned out. Any thoughts alternativista?

[jordeyy]

In theory, using an oil with linoleic acid in to change the lipid profile of your skin seems like a great idea. i was combining this with oil cleansing (castor oil, hemp seed oil, tamanu oil mix). in theory it would dissolve all of the oil plugs i have, then change my lipid profile so that they dont get blocked again.

i originally spent about 2 months using hemp seed oil both as a cleanse, and a little applied topically. nothing changed, and i think i may have even gotten a few more white heads.
i then chose to do the OCM with castor oil added. this seemed to help slightly after about a week, but no major difference, and now ive gotten more whiteheads and blackheads. also some of the hiteheads have become inflamed and turned into spots. its driving me insane. i had such high hopes for both of these things as they both seem scientifically sound, but if anything they've made my skin worse.

my current situation is lots of whiteheads on my chin, especially at the corners of my mouth. there are alot of whiteheads on my forehead (which never used to be there). i also have many whiteheads on my cheeks and a few on my nose. i have some blackheads on my nose, and more on my cheeks, but its hard to say wether these are whiteheads that have turned into blackheads, or just new blackheads. i also get infected hairs in my beard, and have spots on my scalp aswell.

i do exercise 5 times a week, and have a very good diet. im so annoyed that nothing is working for this, as i beleive that if i got rid of the pore clogging problem, my acne would be pretty much gone.

my pores block very easily and i don't know why. im pretty sure accutane would clear up my problem, but i dont want to take it since it stunts growth for many. is there any way i can reduce the production of sebum, or down regulate the PPAR?

[jordeyy]

i've also read the thread you recommend:
http://www.acne.org/...98#entry3239798

you say estrogen/ androgens play a role in acne in guys. i'm 18 so i'm fairly sure this is one of the causes. would taking an aromatase inhibitor help this? possibly like the male version of the pill?

Edited by jordeyy, 19 August 2012 - 02:22 PM.

[alternativista]

Just want to report that ingesting the safflower oil seems to be doing more for my dog than applying it topically. His skin and fur stopped feeling so dry kind of suddenly. I'm not sure it can all be attributed to the oil though. I'm currently working on the theory that he's allergic to chicken as much of what I'd been doing to try to make him better involved supplementing his food with chicken and gelatin rich chicken broth. Which sucks, because I was consuming the broth too for the nutrients and I hate beef and other broths. I love chicken.

i've also read the thread you recommend:
http://www.acne.org/...98#entry3239798

you say estrogen/ androgens play a role in acne in guys. i'm 18 so i'm fairly sure this is one of the causes. would taking an aromatase inhibitor help this? possibly like the male version of the pill?

Well, one of the things linoleic acid does in sebum is act as an inhibitor. Green tea is another source. HAve you tried it topically? Also, beta sitosterol which is the active ingredient in saw palmetto. It's in all plant oils. There's a ton in avocados and pumpkin seeds.

[jordeyy]

Just want to report that ingesting the safflower oil seems to be doing more for my dog than applying it topically. His skin and fur stopped feeling so dry kind of suddenly. I'm not sure it can all be attributed to the oil though. I'm currently working on the theory that he's allergic to chicken as much of what I'd been doing to try to make him better involved supplementing his food with chicken and gelatin rich chicken broth. Which sucks, because I was consuming the broth too for the nutrients and I hate beef and other broths. I love chicken.

i've also read the thread you recommend:
http://www.acne.org/...98#entry3239798

you say estrogen/ androgens play a role in acne in guys. i'm 18 so i'm fairly sure this is one of the causes. would taking an aromatase inhibitor help this? possibly like the male version of the pill?

Well, one of the things linoleic acid does in sebum is act as an inhibitor. Green tea is another source. HAve you tried it topically? Also, beta sitosterol which is the active ingredient in saw palmetto. It's in all plant oils. There's a ton in avocados and pumpkin seeds.

i can't really try an AI topically since it comes in pill form.

does estrogen cause acne more thn testosterone in guys?

if this is the case, taking an aromatase inhibitor and possibly resveratrol would be very beneficial.

[alternativista]

Just want to report that ingesting the safflower oil seems to be doing more for my dog than applying it topically. His skin and fur stopped feeling so dry kind of suddenly. I'm not sure it can all be attributed to the oil though. I'm currently working on the theory that he's allergic to chicken as much of what I'd been doing to try to make him better involved supplementing his food with chicken and gelatin rich chicken broth. Which sucks, because I was consuming the broth too for the nutrients and I hate beef and other broths. I love chicken.

i've also read the thread you recommend:
http://www.acne.org/...98#entry3239798

you say estrogen/ androgens play a role in acne in guys. i'm 18 so i'm fairly sure this is one of the causes. would taking an aromatase inhibitor help this? possibly like the male version of the pill?

Well, one of the things linoleic acid does in sebum is act as an inhibitor. Green tea is another source. HAve you tried it topically? Also, beta sitosterol which is the active ingredient in saw palmetto. It's in all plant oils. There's a ton in avocados and pumpkin seeds.

i can't really try an AI topically since it comes in pill form.

does estrogen cause acne more thn testosterone in guys?

if this is the case, taking an aromatase inhibitor and possibly resveratrol would be very beneficial.

If you are talking about a prescription drug that alters your hormones, then no, I can't recommend that unless you have some serious hormone related issue. And acne isn't serious.

If you are male and believe you suffer from excess estrogen, then the only thing I can tell you is to do things like lose excess body fat and avoid phyto-estrogens.

Edited by alternativista, 21 August 2012 - 06:08 PM.

[jordeyy]

Just want to report that ingesting the safflower oil seems to be doing more for my dog than applying it topically. His skin and fur stopped feeling so dry kind of suddenly. I'm not sure it can all be attributed to the oil though. I'm currently working on the theory that he's allergic to chicken as much of what I'd been doing to try to make him better involved supplementing his food with chicken and gelatin rich chicken broth. Which sucks, because I was consuming the broth too for the nutrients and I hate beef and other broths. I love chicken.

i've also read the thread you recommend:
http://www.acne.org/...98#entry3239798

you say estrogen/ androgens play a role in acne in guys. i'm 18 so i'm fairly sure this is one of the causes. would taking an aromatase inhibitor help this? possibly like the male version of the pill?

Well, one of the things linoleic acid does in sebum is act as an inhibitor. Green tea is another source. HAve you tried it topically? Also, beta sitosterol which is the active ingredient in saw palmetto. It's in all plant oils. There's a ton in avocados and pumpkin seeds.

i can't really try an AI topically since it comes in pill form.

does estrogen cause acne more thn testosterone in guys?

if this is the case, taking an aromatase inhibitor and possibly resveratrol would be very beneficial.

If you are talking about a prescription drug that alters your hormones, then no, I can't recommend that unless you have some serious hormone related issue. And acne isn't serious.

If you are male and believe you suffer from excess estrogen, then the only thing I can tell you is to do things like lose excess body fat and avoid phyto-estrogens.

many aromatase inhibitors are available OTC.
i'm currently at 15% bodyfat.
i don't think i have excess estrogen, but would even normal amounts possibly cause acne? or would lowering estrogen make it worse?

[Greg Estrada 1963]

does anyone know if you can slice open Borage Oil pills(high in GLA -assuming GLA is same thing as linoleic acid?) and smear the liquid topically on face instead of buying grapeseed oil?
trying to keep the $$ costs down and i think this might be cheaper?
oh and i hereby give Alternativista lady the Nobel Prize for this breakthrough--smart and beautiful

[onefatalgoose]

In theory, using an oil with linoleic acid in to change the lipid profile of your skin seems like a great idea. i was combining this with oil cleansing (castor oil, hemp seed oil, tamanu oil mix). in theory it would dissolve all of the oil plugs i have, then change my lipid profile so that they dont get blocked again.

i originally spent about 2 months using hemp seed oil both as a cleanse, and a little applied topically. nothing changed, and i think i may have even gotten a few more white heads.
i then chose to do the OCM with castor oil added. this seemed to help slightly after about a week, but no major difference, and now ive gotten more whiteheads and blackheads. also some of the hiteheads have become inflamed and turned into spots. its driving me insane. i had such high hopes for both of these things as they both seem scientifically sound, but if anything they've made my skin worse.

my current situation is lots of whiteheads on my chin, especially at the corners of my mouth. there are alot of whiteheads on my forehead (which never used to be there). i also have many whiteheads on my cheeks and a few on my nose. i have some blackheads on my nose, and more on my cheeks, but its hard to say wether these are whiteheads that have turned into blackheads, or just new blackheads. i also get infected hairs in my beard, and have spots on my scalp aswell.

i do exercise 5 times a week, and have a very good diet. im so annoyed that nothing is working for this, as i beleive that if i got rid of the pore clogging problem, my acne would be pretty much gone.

my pores block very easily and i don't know why. im pretty sure accutane would clear up my problem, but i dont want to take it since it stunts growth for many. is there any way i can reduce the production of sebum, or down regulate the PPAR?

Hey jordeyy,

If i had to take a shot in the dark as to why OCM didn't work for you, i would say it's because of the oils you are using. Especially castor oil. It is so incredibly thick and sticky, that i really feel like it blocks off your pores. I've tried so many different oils while oil cleansing, and the single greatest one that i've found is Rose Hip Seed Oil. It's pricey, but for a reason. It's loaded with good stuff (just search rose hip seed oil skin) and is considered a 'dry' oil because it's so thin and absorbs so quickly and thoroughly.

I'm using it now and no other oil i've tried absorbs this quickly, or was this rich in vitamins and beneficial fatty acids. Even when i was using grape seed oil, my skin would start to get a bit irritated after a few days use. But i haven't experienced any of these negative effects with Rose Hip Seed Oil.

Also the oil cleansing method is so efficient at cleaning your skin, that i feel like you're left with no oil at all. Which is why it's a good idea after you've steamed to add a touch of fresh oil back to your skin. And again, omit any use of Castor oil as it is so incredibly thick that i feel like it does much more harm than good. Oils are so different from each other, and in my experience using various oils, rose hip seed oil has proven that without a doubt. There's different qualities of various oils too, so you have to make sure it's a reputable brand

Edited by onefatalgoose, 30 August 2012 - 04:27 PM.

[Oner]

i'm going to add here that i have been using hemp oil for about a month or two but not consistently. It has always helped greatly, it would probably range from using it twice a day to once every two days as I felt the need for it. It was great for my acne and helped so much. After reading this info, I am going to give this method a go. But with more consistency. I will try applying it twice a day indefinitely and report back. I usually splash on some water, and then apply the oil all over my face and massage for a while. The brand I use is Nutiva Hemp Oil. Thank you for all the wonderful information alterntavista. YOU are a godsend. Wish me luck!

[jordeyy]

In theory, using an oil with linoleic acid in to change the lipid profile of your skin seems like a great idea. i was combining this with oil cleansing (castor oil, hemp seed oil, tamanu oil mix). in theory it would dissolve all of the oil plugs i have, then change my lipid profile so that they dont get blocked again.

i originally spent about 2 months using hemp seed oil both as a cleanse, and a little applied topically. nothing changed, and i think i may have even gotten a few more white heads.
i then chose to do the OCM with castor oil added. this seemed to help slightly after about a week, but no major difference, and now ive gotten more whiteheads and blackheads. also some of the hiteheads have become inflamed and turned into spots. its driving me insane. i had such high hopes for both of these things as they both seem scientifically sound, but if anything they've made my skin worse.

my current situation is lots of whiteheads on my chin, especially at the corners of my mouth. there are alot of whiteheads on my forehead (which never used to be there). i also have many whiteheads on my cheeks and a few on my nose. i have some blackheads on my nose, and more on my cheeks, but its hard to say wether these are whiteheads that have turned into blackheads, or just new blackheads. i also get infected hairs in my beard, and have spots on my scalp aswell.

i do exercise 5 times a week, and have a very good diet. im so annoyed that nothing is working for this, as i beleive that if i got rid of the pore clogging problem, my acne would be pretty much gone.

my pores block very easily and i don't know why. im pretty sure accutane would clear up my problem, but i dont want to take it since it stunts growth for many. is there any way i can reduce the production of sebum, or down regulate the PPAR?

Hey jordeyy,

If i had to take a shot in the dark as to why OCM didn't work for you, i would say it's because of the oils you are using. Especially castor oil. It is so incredibly thick and sticky, that i really feel like it blocks off your pores. I've tried so many different oils while oil cleansing, and the single greatest one that i've found is Rose Hip Seed Oil. It's pricey, but for a reason. It's loaded with good stuff (just search rose hip seed oil skin) and is considered a 'dry' oil because it's so thin and absorbs so quickly and thoroughly.

I'm using it now and no other oil i've tried absorbs this quickly, or was this rich in vitamins and beneficial fatty acids. Even when i was using grape seed oil, my skin would start to get a bit irritated after a few days use. But i haven't experienced any of these negative effects with Rose Hip Seed Oil.

Also the oil cleansing method is so efficient at cleaning your skin, that i feel like you're left with no oil at all. Which is why it's a good idea after you've steamed to add a touch of fresh oil back to your skin. And again, omit any use of Castor oil as it is so incredibly thick that i feel like it does much more harm than good. Oils are so different from each other, and in my experience using various oils, rose hip seed oil has proven that without a doubt. There's different qualities of various oils too, so you have to make sure it's a reputable brand

i think oil in general was the problem. i tried hemp seed oil (0 in comedogenic and 0 in irritation) for a good 2 months, and did nothing for my many blocked pores, nothing for the inflamed acne i had, and nothing to prevent acne. i tried then cleansing with castor oil as it supposedly cleans pores the best, but in the week of cleansing i tried, i only felt about 4 plugs come out of my skin, still leaving me with probably 50+ (theres too many to count). so it didnt overcleanse my skin at all, infact it didnt do it well enough, i do agree though its too thick and probably blocked more pores and contributed to a few painfull inflamed under the skin spots. i've given up on oil cleansing it just doesnt work for me.
i've been taking resveratrol and chlorophyll and have been seeing some improvement, but i'll see how it goes

[alternativista]

Start of a what to do about this i.e. Good Things for Linoleic acid content in sebum and healthy functioning skin thread.

See also the sebum quality section of the Good Things thread: http://www.acne.org/...dpost&p=2637530 And the related ZAG enzyme thread: http://www.acne.org/...me-t247794.html

See: http://www.acne.org/...60#entry3254260 for a list started months earlier in the middle of my research for this thread. It's good.


Healthy thyroid function: http://www.acne.org/...n/#entry3235072 So everything to do with that from sleep, avoiding/managing stress, nutrients, etc.

A natural circadian cycle which affects your lipid metabolism http://www.acne.org/...20#entry3238844

Avoid Trans Fats http://www.acne.org/...n/#entry3235308

Avoid alkaline cleansers and topicals. Enzymes needed for normal cell desquammation require moisture (i.e. a healthy functioning epidermal barrier) (one way people with dry skin have acne) and a proper PH in order to function. http://www.acne.org/...00#entry3266394

Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs and steroids - interferes with lipid metabolism.


Also, a sauna: http://www.acne.org/...80#entry3257135 Effect of regular sauna on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum water-holding capacity in vivo in humans: a controlled study.

Quote

A more stable epidermal barrier function, an increase in stratum corneum hydration, a faster recovery of both elevated water loss and skin pH after exposure to 2 x 15 min sauna at 80 degrees C could be demonstrated in volunteers with regular sauna. Heart beat rate and ionic concentration in sweat as well as epidermal blood perfusion showed a training effect under regular sauna. A decrease in casual skin sebum content on the skin surface of the forehead was observed in these volunteers.
I wonder if the same results can be obtained with an infrared sauna. I'm not sitting in a hot steamy rooms

Keep your blood sugar stable/improve glucose metabolism - affects lipid metabolism. Study showing a relationship between glucose tolerance, serum insulin and lipid profile/FFAs http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/1185889


Buckwheat? Somewhere in the Better grains thread in I claim to have seen a study that found that the prolamin anti-nutrients in buckwheat inhibit the oxidation of linoleic acid. I do not recall or have a link to the study. But perhaps this is of benefit to us with our linoleic acid deficiency? Buckwheat has other benefits on blood sugar, hormones etc.

Topical application of yogurt - Streptococcus thermophilus, a species found in most yogurts, can increase ceramide production when applied to the skin for 7 days as a cream [58]. http://www.acne.org/...20#entry3242185


Nutrients that aid fat metabolism:
-Vitamin A -
-B Vitamins, Niacin (B3), B2 (cofactor with vitamin A), B6, B5 (pantothenic acid>pantethine>Co-Enzyme A(CoA)).
-Zinc
-Green tea
-Apple cider vinegar/acetic acid
-Mono-unsaturated fats - olive oil, avocados, etc.
-Lipase digestive enzymes.

-Vitamin D and calcium - search and lots of studies come up, but I haven't had the time to really read and pick something good to link to.

-Bile - http://www.acne.org/...54#entry2655754

Regular, daily low to moderate level physical activity. - stimulates fat metabolizing and burning enzymes.

 

Use your oil to fake healthy skin until you make it: 

 

http://dietforclears...kin-how-to.html

Edited by alternativista, 14 March 2013 - 11:03 AM.