171 replies to this topic

[patientx]

So perhaps this is a bit of a debunk of the experts who don't feel that the linoleic acid in our sebum is systemic or dietary.  At least the dietary part.

 

But the vast majority of the population gets plenty of linoleic acid from diets. If sebum linoleic acid really is dietary, very few people would be deficient there.

[alternativista]

So perhaps this is a bit of a debunk of the experts who don't feel that the linoleic acid in our sebum is systemic or dietary.  At least the dietary part.

 
But the vast majority of the population gets plenty of linoleic acid from diets. If sebum linoleic acid really is dietary, very few people would be deficient there.

Yeah, but perhaps it's about the quality? Most people probably consume a lot of oxidized PUFAs

[alternativista]

Hautarzt. 2008 May 18. 

[Acne : Current pathophysiologic considerations.][Article in German]


Degitz K, Ochsendorf F.
Dermatologische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Pasinger Bahnhofsplatz1, 81241, München, Deutschland, Klaus.Degitz@lrz.uni-muenchen.de.

Seborrhea, follicular hyperkeratosis, propionibacteria, and inflammatory reactions are the most important factors leading to acne. The combination of increased sebum producation and follicular hyperkeratosis facilitates an increased growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Its metabolic products lead to follicular inflammation and, in extreme cases, even to perifollicular abscesses. Sebum production is influenced by androgens, so that abnormalities in androgen levels can produce seborrhea and acne. Follicular hyperkeratosis may be triggered by a relative deficiency in linoleic acid, peroxides from sebum components, and especially by inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1. Bacterial metabolic products such as lipases, proteases, or chemotactic factors lead to the perifollicular inflammation . This inflammation is not only a response to other pathogenetic factors, but also a cause of acne. An initial mild perifollicular infammation can induce comedogenesis via a variety of mediators. The influence of dietary factors on the initiation and course of acne has recently received increased recognition. A connection has been postulated between acne and a high nutrients with glycemic index, as well as with milk products.
http://www.ncbi.nlm....Pubmed_RVDocSum

[alternativista]

This study on white button mushrooms as a breast cancer chemo preventative found that the active compounds, linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid, reduced cell proliferation.

http://www.greenmedi...a-breast-cancer

And this one on resveraterol found that it reduces testosterone influenced cell proliferation. http://www.greenmedi...st-cancer-cells

Edited by alternativista, 02 March 2013 - 07:23 PM.

[paigems]

I decided to give grapeseed oil a try because of this thread. I've been using it as a precleanse. I apply it to dry skin and rub it in vigorously for a few minutes. I know this sounds pretty gross, but after a few minutes a bunch of sebum clogs pop out and I can feel all of them as I rub my face. Then I rinse it off and follow with my usual cleanser. So far I'm really impressed by how great this is for unclogging my pores. I'm just hoping it's not a temporary effect and I won't wind up breaking out from it in the long run. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

[alternativista]

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 switched to from safflower to hemp seed oil for about a month and my keratosis pilares and some blackheads came back. It doesn't seem to work as well.

I decided to give grapeseed oil a try because of this thread. I've been using it as a precleanse. I apply it to dry skin and rub it in vigorously for a few minutes. I know this sounds pretty gross, but after a few minutes a bunch of sebum clogs pop out and I can feel all of them as I rub my face. Then I rinse it off and follow with my usual cleanser. So far I'm really impressed by how great this is for unclogging my pores. I'm just hoping it's not a temporary effect and I won't wind up breaking out from it in the long run. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

Congratulations.  Others have said massaging in oil made their blackheads and other plugs pop out.  I never noticed such miracles right before my eyes, but it did gradually clear the blackheads and KP.

[callendula]

I used to use a moisturizer called Dove Deep Moisture. It was the best facial lotion and of course they discontinued it. It had spf 15 and even though I am so oily, it was my favorite moisturizer. Now I know why. It had linoleic acid in it along with Vit E, Vit A, ceramides, green tea, grapeseed extract, zinc. I never knew why at the time, but looking over this thread, I see it had great ingredients. Wish I could find another lotion like it.

 

I'm not real keen on putting oil on my face. Anyone know a lotion that might be like the Dove one?

[alternativista]

I used to use a moisturizer called Dove Deep Moisture. It was the best facial lotion and of course they discontinued it. It had spf 15 and even though I am so oily, it was my favorite moisturizer. Now I know why. It had linoleic acid in it along with Vit E, Vit A, ceramides, green tea, grapeseed extract, zinc. I never knew why at the time, but looking over this thread, I see it had great ingredients. Wish I could find another lotion like it.
 
I'm not real keen on putting oil on my face. Anyone know a lotion that might be like the Dove one?

Make it. Habits listed here including the linoleic acid boost ceramides production.

[wicky]

vista, when you say topical linoleic acid what exactly are you referring to?  breaking open CLA capsules or applying an oil high in linoleic acid like grapeseed or hemp oil?  My chin gets hard solified whiteheads trapped in the crease and under my lips.  Its dry and flakey all the time but these whiteheads are so deep, not the pus kind but look like it.  They literally have to be dug out and I wondering why its not better since Ive dealt with my thyroid problems. I really thought that since I was now permanently on thyroid meds (had my thyroid removed in december due to cancer) this would somehow alter the sebum composition of my skin.  I just cant seem to stop the keratinization of all this plugs.  

[mimij67]

Hi All

Altavista, I have not read the entire thread. Quick question and a bit of backstory. Thank you for all of this interesting info. Sorry for the somewhat longish post....

 

I have just started a salicylic acid toner/hemp seed oil (very small amount-2drops AM and PM) to change my sebum and unplug my pores. The SA breaks up existing plugs, the hemp seed prevents the formation of new ones over time. I was told it could take 4 months to clear or maybe a bit more....This regimen was developed here:

 

http://practicalbohe...y.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/.../MiriBotanicals

 

I have chemical sensitivities/weakened immune system and a bladder condition called Interstitial Cystitis. Too much BP (per the regimen on this site) sent my bladder into a horrible flare for 3 days. I am being treated for my condition by a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. She wanted me to stop the BP and SA. I did, of course, and foolishly added in jojoba oil!! thinking it did control oil and maybe it would help me transition out of BP-land. 

 

Boy was I ever WRONG. After stopping the BP and SA cold turkey and adding jojoba, my face is loaded with a MILLION whiteheads and blackheads, mostly whiteheads. I have NEVER been this bad in my whole life. A rash of a million bumps across my face. The ones on my cheeks and jaw are really inflammed.

 

I can tell the hemp is very calming and it is loosening the plugs. I caved today and tried to go get extractions but I can't really use traditional peels/extraction prep, so I brought my hemp oil and steam and the aesthetitican did not know how to extract closed comedones, (I realize, it is tricky....) so not much there. But she did try to convince me that a little BP would get me out of this horrible mess. So then I started thinking, maybe I can tolerate a little BP like I used to be able to do in the past 6 months (I can't use Dan's formula because it flared me). I might put some on for a few hours and then wash it off.

 

Do you think that the BP will negate the effects of the hemp seed oil? Maybe best I just wash off the BP after a bit. Or do you think I can use them together for a while. My goal is to only use a SA toner, and hemp oil, but I have to get out of this red, bumpy mess.

 

Thanks for reading, and for any thoughts!!!

I should add that I have not eaten sugar in 8 months (wow, can't beleive that!). No alcohol. No yeast (special diet to heal my gut and bladder). When I had to go off BP, I cut out dairy (sigh) and gluten (sigh). So I am basically paleo for a while, with occasional rice. (Sigh) So diet is probably not a factor.

 

Congrats on your clearing of your acne!!

BTW, Jordey, if you are reading, you said you tried the hemp oil for 2 months? The woman that developed the SA toner (make at home yourself, she has a kit) and the hemp oil regime, said that it took her 4 MONTHS to clear her acne using this method. She has writen on her site that she was ready to give up MANY TIMES in the first two months and was so glad she stuck with it. She had done a ton of research, like Vista, and had come to the conclusion that for people with many closed comedones, hemp is the key. The SA toner breaks up the existing plugs, and the hemp keeps new ones from forming by improving the linoleic acid content of the sebum. Again, given the life cycle of acne (3-4 months) it makes sense that it could take a while. She said she saw nearly NO improvement for the first two months, and then at around that time, started seeing some improvement, with total clearing coming near the end of the 4th month. HTHs!

[alternativista]

would hemp seed oil be just as good as grapeseed oil? i've seen people who recommend it highly above the other oils. if so, what should i look for when buying hemp oil? i have many blocked pores, many of which eventually get inflamed and turn into spots, so i think the oil method would work for me

 

It is lower in linoleic acid. I posted the numbers here somewhere, but I think it's 50% linoleic acid while safflower and grapeseed are nearly 80%.  And I personally didn't think it worked as well for me.

Hi All

Altavista, I have not read the entire thread. Quick question and a bit of backstory. Thank you for all of this interesting info. Sorry for the somewhat longish post....

 

I have just started a salicylic acid toner/hemp seed oil (very small amount-2drops AM and PM) to change my sebum and unplug my pores. The SA breaks up existing plugs, the hemp seed prevents the formation of new ones over time. I was told it could take 4 months to clear or maybe a bit more....This regimen was developed here:

 

http://practicalbohe...y.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/.../MiriBotanicals

 

I have chemical sensitivities/weakened immune system and a bladder condition called Interstitial Cystitis. Too much BP (per the regimen on this site) sent my bladder into a horrible flare for 3 days. I am being treated for my condition by a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. She wanted me to stop the BP and SA. I did, of course, and foolishly added in jojoba oil!! thinking it did control oil and maybe it would help me transition out of BP-land. 

 

Boy was I ever WRONG. After stopping the BP and SA cold turkey and adding jojoba, my face is loaded with a MILLION whiteheads and blackheads, mostly whiteheads. I have NEVER been this bad in my whole life. A rash of a million bumps across my face. The ones on my cheeks and jaw are really inflammed.

 

I can tell the hemp is very calming and it is loosening the plugs. I caved today and tried to go get extractions but I can't really use traditional peels/extraction prep, so I brought my hemp oil and steam and the aesthetitican did not know how to extract closed comedones, (I realize, it is tricky....) so not much there. But she did try to convince me that a little BP would get me out of this horrible mess. So then I started thinking, maybe I can tolerate a little BP like I used to be able to do in the past 6 months (I can't use Dan's formula because it flared me). I might put some on for a few hours and then wash it off.

 

Do you think that the BP will negate the effects of the hemp seed oil? Maybe best I just wash off the BP after a bit. Or do you think I can use them together for a while. My goal is to only use a SA toner, and hemp oil, but I have to get out of this red, bumpy mess.

 

Thanks for reading, and for any thoughts!!!

I should add that I have not eaten sugar in 8 months (wow, can't beleive that!). No alcohol. No yeast (special diet to heal my gut and bladder). When I had to go off BP, I cut out dairy (sigh) and gluten (sigh). So I am basically paleo for a while, with occasional rice. (Sigh) So diet is probably not a factor.

 

Congrats on your clearing of your acne!!

BTW, Jordey, if you are reading, you said you tried the hemp oil for 2 months? The woman that developed the SA toner (make at home yourself, she has a kit) and the hemp oil regime, said that it took her 4 MONTHS to clear her acne using this method. She has writen on her site that she was ready to give up MANY TIMES in the first two months and was so glad she stuck with it. She had done a ton of research, like Vista, and had come to the conclusion that for people with many closed comedones, hemp is the key. The SA toner breaks up the existing plugs, and the hemp keeps new ones from forming by improving the linoleic acid content of the sebum. Again, given the life cycle of acne (3-4 months) it makes sense that it could take a while. She said she saw nearly NO improvement for the first two months, and then at around that time, started seeing some improvement, with total clearing coming near the end of the 4th month. HTHs!

 

The BP will do harm.  The linoleic acid will help the skin deal with the harm.  And why not just stick with the salicylic acid? possibly look into adding licorice root extract or peppermint.  have you tried peppermint tea?

[alternativista]

This study on mice is about the oral administration of fatty acids changing their fatty acid composition in their skin

 

http://journals.camb...810d4d41529542f

Linus Pauling page with links to studies/papers showing that it's not quite true that omega 6 are inflammatory while omega 3s are anti- inflammatory. It isn't that simple.  http://lpi.oregonsta...enter/skin/EFA/

 

As well as on their role in skin, how topical and oral administration is beneficial, etc.

 

Sunflower seed oil enhanced skin barrier recovery, while mustard seed, olive, and soybean oils delayed skin barrier recovery and, in the case of mustard seed oil, damaged keratinocyte organelles and disrupted the architecture of the stratum corneum (38).

Edited by alternativista, 22 May 2013 - 11:29 AM.