Introducing Spot: The Ultimate Acne Spot Treatment We are excited to unveil Spot, our latest acne spot treatment that effectively targets blemishes, reduces breakouts, and promotes clear, radiant skin. This powerful formula combines nature's finest oils and organic ingredients, working together to tackle acne at its root cause while regenerating the skin for a smoother, more even complexion. Whether you're dealing with active acne or stubborn scars, Spot is the perfect addition to your skincare routine. Here's everything you need to know about the key ingredients that make Spot  the ultimate acne-fighting solution. Key Ingredients in Spot: A Powerful Blend of Nature's Best Oils 1. Jojoba Seed Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)Jojoba oil is a staple in *Spot* because of its ability to regulate oil production while providing deep hydration. Infused with *Calendula Officinalis* (Calendula), *Symphytum Officinale* (Comfrey), and *Achillea Millefolium* (Yarrow), this nourishing oil helps soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation, and promote faster healing. Why it works: Jojoba oil hydrates the skin without clogging pores, while the infused herbs provide anti-inflammatory and healing benefits, ensuring that your skin remains balanced and calm. -  Calendula Flower Calendula is known for its gentle, soothing properties. It helps heal cuts, burns, and acne lesions, making it ideal for sensitive and inflamed skin. - Comfrey Leaf Comfrey leaves are known for their healing properties, which include improving skin regeneration, reducing inflammation, and soothing irritated skin. They are also effective in reducing the appearance of scars and blemishes. - Yarrow Leaf: Anti- inflammatory and speeds skin healing. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, softens the skin and helps keep the skin free from bacteria - preventing breakouts. 2. Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa Canina)Rosehip seed oil is packed with essential fatty acids (Omega 3 & 6), antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. It's particularly effective at regenerating skin cells, fading acne scars, and reducing hyperpigmentation. Why it works: Rosehip oil, combined with other nourishing oils like jojoba and sea buckthorn, promotes skin regeneration and helps lighten scars, resulting in smoother, more even skin. 3. Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae Rhamnoides)Sea buckthorn oil is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which are essential for skin repair, brightening, and reducing the appearance of scars. It also contains fatty acids that promote skin regeneration, making it particularly beneficial for healing acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Why it works: Sea buckthorn oil promotes skin regeneration, reduces blemishes, and helps heal acne scars, resulting in a brighter and more even complexion. 4. Vitamin E (Non-GMO Tocopherol)Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant known for its skin-protecting properties. It supports skin repair and helps reduce the appearance of scars, making it a vital ingredient for acne treatment. Why it works: Vitamin E nourishes and heals the skin, aiding in the reduction of scars and promoting healthier, more resilient skin. 5. Turmeric Root Oil (Curcuma Longa)Turmeric root oil contains curcumin, which provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-brightening benefits. It helps reduce redness, even out skin tone, and brighten dark spots, while soothing irritated skin. Why it works for spot treatment: Curcumin helps to heal blemishes, target discoloration, and promote skin brightness, enhancing the overall appearance of acne-prone skin. 6. Eucalyptus Leaf Oil (Eucalyptus Globulus)Eucalyptus oil has strong antimicrobial properties, making it effective against the bacteria and fungi that cause acne. It also helps reduce inflammation, making it ideal for calming irritated skin. How it helps: Eucalyptus oil clears pores, reduces swelling, and fights acne-causing bacteria, helping to prevent breakouts and soothe inflamed skin. 7. Cajeput Oil (Melaleuca Minor)Cajeput oil shares similar properties with tea tree oil but is gentler on the skin. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a perfect addition to Spot. How it helps: Cajeput oil helps combat bacteria, reduces redness, and minimizes swelling, calming irritated skin and preventing new breakouts. 8. Thyme Leaf Oil (Thymus Zygis)Thyme oil is a potent antiseptic with strong antimicrobial properties. It helps to clear acne-causing bacteria and is particularly effective for cystic acne due to its ability to target deep bacteria. How it helps: Thyme oil fights acne-causing bacteria, prevents new breakouts, and reduces inflammation, making it a key ingredient for acne treatment. 9. Clove Bud Oil (Syzygium Aromaticum)Clove oil is a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial ingredient. It helps combat acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and promotes skin healing. How it helps: Clove oil prevents new breakouts with its antibacterial properties while calming inflamed skin, making it an essential part of the *Spot* formula. Why This Formula Works So Well - Spot combines multiple effective ingredients that target acne at the source and promote clearer, healthier skin: - Antibacterial & Antimicrobial: Eucalyptus, cajeput, thyme, and clove oils have strong antibacterial properties, fighting acne-causing bacteria and preventing new breakouts.  - Anti-inflammatory: Jojoba, eucalyptus, thyme, and clove oils work to reduce redness, swelling, and irritation, providing relief for inflamed acne spots. - Soothing & Healing: Jojoba oil, calendula, comfrey, the skin while helping blemishes heal faster. - Skin Brightening & Tone Evenness: The combination of turmeric and sea buckthorn oil works to brighten and even out skin tone, while anti-inflammatory ingredients help prevent further breakouts. - Non-comedogenic & Skin Balancing: Jojoba oil regulates oil production, helping prevent excess sebum that can lead to acne, while keeping the skin hydrated without clogging pores. How to use After cleansing and completing your skincare routine (toner, cloud facial cream, facial oil/balm), apply one to two drops on the affected area as need. This can be used on any current breakout, or to help fade a recent breakout. Final Thoughts Spot is more than just a spot treatment; it’s a comprehensive solution for anyone struggling with acne. Packed with a blend of potent ingredients like Rosehip Oil, Eucalyptus, Turmeric, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Calendula, and more, Spot not only helps clear up existing blemishes but also promotes skin regeneration and brightening. Add Spot to your skincare routine today and experience the powerful benefits of nature’s best oils, all in one treatment. Say goodbye to blemishes and hello to clear, glowing skin!

Understanding Acne  Written By Ashton Qual Have you ever had a hard time understanding all the different information surrounding acne in all of its different forms that happen to be all over the internet? There is so much information, and not all of it correct, on various types of acne and what to do about it. Today, we are going to break down the different types of acne, what the main causes of those acne types are, and what you can do about it! We are going to talk about these six types of acne classifications; Whiteheads, Blackheads, Papules, Pustules, Nodules, Cystic Lesions. Whiteheads & Blackheads Also known as closed comedones, are small raised white bumps on the skin, typically affecting the shoulders, back, and face. Caused by bacteria filling up the follicles under the skin. This bacteria can be excess or unhealthy oil and/or dead skin cells (why oil cleansing is so important, more on that later). Unlike blackheads, the air is not exposed to these bacteria-trapped follicles so they remain white. Blackheads are very similar. Blackheads are also known as open comedones, meaning they are follicles under the skin where the pore or opening is large (can become a blackhead after a pimple was there and popped) where bacteria (oil and dirt) got into the follicles but was exposed to air, oxidizing it and turns the trapped oil and debris black. Blackheads are most commonly found on the back, shoulders, and face. Treating whiteheads and blackheads can be super easy. Many recommend acids and actives to go deep into the pores and push out the bacteria, but at Ash & Stone, we have researched and found through years of use, that a gentler approach is better for the overall health of your skin and works just as good. Oil Cleansing (with our Sunshine Oil Cleanser or Nourishing Oil Cleanser) helps to remove dirt and debris off the surface of your skin and lift that excess oil and dirt out of your pores, allowing it to be wiped off the surface of your skin easily. This method does not interfere with the pH of your skin, nor does it strip your skin of its natural and good sebum (natural facial oil you produce on your own). Oil cleansing helps to regulate how much oil your skin is producing and balance your overall complexion and skin texture, not to mention help clean out those whiteheads and blackheads. Exfoliation is also key in helping to treat white and blackheads. Regularly exfoliating is key to helping unclog those pores by helping to get rid of the build-up of dead skin cells and oil that can get trapped in your pores and cause white/blackheads. Using the Flower and Sea Facial Grain two to three times a week will help keep your skin healthy and keep your pores unclogged. Papules & Pustules   Papules are raised areas of skin tissue that are solid and inflamed. They are smaller than some other forms of acne, being less than 1 centimeter. Often called skin lesions as they are changes in your skin's color and texture. They are dome or cone-shaped or flat-topped. These solid papules are not puss-filled like other forms of acne, but they can be painful and irritating. Papules can be found in various areas of the body, not just the face.    Papules can be caused by a few different things. Contact to the skin that creates irritation, allergic reaction or bacteria transfer to the skin, hormonal changes, specifically excess androgen (especially in the teenage years), and sebaceous glands overproducing oil. Papules can also be triggered by stress, too much sugar, or a poor diet.    Pustules are the annoying pus-filled acne spots that pop up when you need them to just not. They are small bumps on the skin filled with fluid with a white head. Pustules are typically inflamed and can be painful, leaving the skin around them red. They can affect the face, back, chest, and shoulders. They can be small or bigger in size.   This form of acne is very commonly related to hormonal issues (changes and imbalances).  Formed due to oil and dead skin cell clogged pores, they raise up on the skin and can be painful to the touch.    Treating papules and pustules can be done at home. Be very gentle with your skin if you suffer from these forms of acne, don't over-exfoliate or rub the skin. Oil cleansing is a great option to remove bacteria, dirt, and excess oil while helping to regulate the oil production of your skin. We recommended the Sunshine Oil Cleanser. The Flower and Seas facial grain can be used to exfoliate 1-2x a week for gentle removal of dead skin cells but should be done carefully and very gently. For papules, moisturizing with the O.G. Facial Oil will further help to regulate the oil production of the skin and help to treat and soothe current breakouts. For pustules, moisturizing with Omega Facial Oil will significantly help to treat those active breakouts with its anti-inflammatory formulation. The Matcha Mellow Mask is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that treat active breakouts and is a great option for those struggling with these two forms of acne.    Nodules   This form of inflammatory acne is a deep-rooted pimple that is caused by a bacterial infection deep within the pores as hair, dirt, excess oil, and bacteria get trapped in the pores. Nodules are bigger than pustules or papules and are hard lumps or knots just below the surface of the skin. They can last for a long time, weeks, or even months. They are painful and should not be picked at or attempted to be popped. This form of acne is most common in young/teenage men but can also be found in women. Hormones, stress, lifestyle, diet, and excessive sweating can cause nodules.    Diet and lifestyle are one of the only ways to truly treat nodules holistically. Making sure the skin is cleansed twice a day (oil cleansing will work great at keeping those pores unclogged), and properly hydrated to not overproduce sebum and further clog pores is key (the Omega facial oil is a great option). Managing stress, working on supporting hormonal health, and making healthy lifestyle changes are so important to clearing this acne. Many doctors will recommend different medications for this form of acne. Our Omega Facial Oil is a great option for reducing inflammation topically though.    Cystic Acne    Like nodules, cystic lesions or acne are formed deep under the skin and are caused by similar factors. Unlike nodules, cysts are large pus-filled and inflamed with large white bumps and are painful to the touch. Typically found in people with oily skin and those suffering from hormonal problems (teens and women). Cystic acne is very commonly referred to as hormonal acne. Found on the face, back, neck, shoulders, chest, and other parts of the body, it is a stubborn type of acne and takes time and patience to heal.    Being gentle on your skin is essential, providing nourishment to the surface of your skin that will penetrate deep into the dermis. Finding noncomedogenic skin care products will help you to use powerful plant-based products without them clogging your pores. The Omega Facial Oil was designed and formulated to help treat this form of acne. It is a great everyday moisturizer that will not clog your pores and help to provide deep nourishment to the skin. Avoid harsh chemicals and scrubs. Instead, keep your routine simple (Omega Travel Bundles is a great place to start), and focus on your diet and lifestyle choices. This form of acne has more to do with gut and hormonal health than anything else, so focus on healing hormonal imbalances and gut issues through whole foods, proper nutrition, and a balanced lifestyle.    Acne can be super frustrating and have a toll on your self-image, but here at Ash & Stone, we want to remind you that your acne does not define you, and you can love the skin you have by caring for it and nourishing it to heal. I have personally suffered from cystic acne since I was 17 years old (I’m 25 now), and it has been a journey…a long one at that, with ups and downs, successes and setbacks, but because my identity is not tied to how my skin looks, I have been able to love the skin I have and share my passion for skincare and hormonal healing with so many people. I hope this blog helps you to identify the type of acne you are struggling with and point you in the right direction in your skin healing journey.    -Ashton Qual CEO and Founder of Ash and Stone Skincare LLC

Sea Buckthorn Oil, derived from the berries and seeds of the Sea Buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides), is highly regarded in skincare for its numerous benefits. Here at Ash + Stone, we use Sea Buckthorn Oil in out Everywhere Balm and our Renew Facial Oil.  Here are some key facts about sea buckthorn oil for skin: Nutrient-Rich Composition Vitamins: Rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K. Vitamin C helps brighten the skin and boost collagen production, while vitamin E provides antioxidant protection. Essential Fatty Acids: Contains omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9 fatty acids. Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) is particularly beneficial for skin health. Antioxidants: Packed with antioxidants such as flavonoids and carotenoids, which help protect the skin from free radical damage. Skin Benefits Moisturizing: The oil’s high fatty acid content helps lock in moisture and maintain skin hydration. Anti-Aging: Antioxidants and fatty acids help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, promoting youthful skin. Healing Properties: Promotes skin regeneration and can help heal wounds, burns, and other skin injuries. It’s also effective in reducing inflammation and redness. Acne Treatment: Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties can help reduce acne breakouts and promote clearer skin. Brightening: Vitamin C and other nutrients help brighten the skin and improve overall complexion. So, try out the Renew Facial Oil or the Everywhere Balm to experience the benefits of this amazing plant oil!

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