Acne is a skin inflammation affecting approximately 80% of those between the ages of 12 and 24. Located in each hair follicle or tiny pit in the skin, is a sebaceous gland that lubricates the skin. If some oil gets trapped, bacteria multiply in the pit and the skin becomes inflamed. Most adolescents have acne because the sebaceous glands are stimulated by a male hormone at puberty. No exact cause is known, but contributing factors are heredity, oily skin, androgens (male hormones) produced in increased amounts when either a boy or girl reaches puberty. Other causes may include allergies, stress, junk food, and oral contraceptives. Blackheads form when sebum combines with skin pigments and plug the pores. If scales below the surface of the skin become filled with sebum, whiteheads are formed. In severe cases, whiteheads build up, spread under the skin and rupture, eventually spreads the inflammation.

At least four factors are important in the development of acne: plugging of the hair follicle with abnormally cohesive desquamated cells, sebaceous gland hyperactivity, proliferation of bacteria (especially Propionibacterium acnes) within sebum, and inflammation. The main cause is an increase in the production of androgen (male) and oestrogen (female) in maturing teenagers. This stimulates the sebaceous glands producing an over-supply of sebum (natural oil in the skin), which clogs the pores causing blackheads and whiteheads. Diet is still and important factor in controlling acne.

Treatment must include a lotion of Calendula and Nettle and an internal remedy to balance the hormonal changes and cleanse the skin using Agnus Castus, Squaw Vine, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root and Red Clover Flower.

The following herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful in the treatment of skin conditions including acne:

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and flaxseed oil

Tea Tree Oil
Some plants contain antimicrobial substances that may help eliminate Propionibacterium acnes (the bacterial strain associated with acne), thereby potentially reducing inflammation associated with the skin condition. Preliminary evidence suggests that tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternafolia) may have antimicrobial effects. One study compared the effectiveness of tea tree oil gel with benzoyl peroxide lotion in 119 people with mild to moderate acne.