Acne
Acne, a common and multifaceted skin condition that affects people of all ages, can be comprehensively tackled by delving into its underlying causes, symptoms, treatment choices and preventative measures.
What is acne?
Acne is a common, inflammatory skin condition
that occurs when oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria block hair follicles, leading to breakouts, clogged pores, and excess oil production. While there’s no cure for this skin dilemma, rest assured that its symptoms can be managed and controlled. In many cases, acne is linked to hormonal imbalances or underlying medical conditions, making it all the more important to take care of our skin and seek out the right treatment options to keep those blemishes at bay.
What are the different forms of acne?
Acne can manifest in several different forms, including:
Blackheads
Open bumps on the skin filled with excess oil and dead skin cells that appear dark in colour
Whiteheads
Closed bumps on the skin caused by clogged follicles with oil and dead skin cells
Papules
Small, red or pink, inflamed bumps
Pustules
Pimples filled with pus, surrounded by red rings and can cause scarring if picked or scratched
Nodule
Large, painful, solid pimples deep within the skin
Cysts
Pus-filled pimples that can lead to scarring
What causes acne inflammation?
Acne can be an irritating and persistent affliction, but understanding its underlying causes can help you take control of your skin. Here are some of the key factors that contribute to acne inflammation:
Stress
When you’re feeling stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and androgens that increase skin oil production and inflammation, making acne worse.
Dead skin and hair blockages
Accumulated dead skin and hair cells mixed with sebum can clog your pores, leading to blockages and acne breakouts.
Diet
Your diet can have a big impact on your hormones, which can affect your skin. For example, consuming high amounts of sugar or milk can lead to increased insulin levels and inflammation.
Hormones
Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone have a major impact on your skin’s oil production. Fluctuations in these hormones can increase inflammation and oil production, leading to acne.
Irritation
Irritation and damage to your skin barrier can result in inefficient management of your skin’s water content, leading to transepidermal water loss and dehydration. This can trigger your skin to produce more oil, leading to breakouts when combined with dead skin cells.
Hereditary
Your genetics can impact the effectiveness of your immune system in fighting off acne-promoting bacteria like P.acnes. Genetics can also pass on hormonal conditions like PCOS or an increased susceptibility to inflammation.
Excessive oil production
Your genetics can impact the effectiveness of your immune system in fighting off acne-promoting bacteria like P.acnes. Genetics can also pass on hormonal conditions like PCOS or an increased susceptibility to inflammation.
Environment
Environmental factors like pollution can have a negative impact on your skin, causing irritation or breakouts from poor air quality.
What can you do to prevent the formation of breakouts?
Preventing breakouts requires a comprehensive approach, as it’s important to address both external and internal factors that can contribute to inflammation and breakouts. To minimise the formation of breakouts, consider the following tips:
Manage stress levels
Stress can worsen acne, so finding ways to manage stress, such as through exercise, yoga, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones, can be helpful.
Incorporate gentle exfoliation into your skincare routine
Regular exfoliation helps prevent the buildup of dead skin cells and excess oils, but using a gentle formula can avoid stripping the skin and protect the skin barrier.
Adopt a healthy, balanced diet
Foods that are high in grease, fast food, or cause insulin spikes, like refined sugar or fast-releasing carbs, can trigger acne. Some people may also find that dairy products exacerbate breakouts. Eating a diet that is focused on whole foods can help maintain insulin levels and reduce inflammation within the body.
Strengthen your skin barrier
Incorporating skin-strengthening ingredients into your skincare routine can help protect and promote the skin’s water levels, which helps maintain a healthy balance of moisture and hydration in the skin and reduces overproduction of oil that can cause clogged pores and breakouts.
Balance your hormones
Balancing hormones takes time, but it can help reduce inflammation within the body and control breakouts.
Stay hydrated
All skin types need assistance to maintain hydration levels, and humectants ingredients can help keep the skin hydrated.
Which topical ingredients
help to maintain acne breakouts?
Retinol
Retinol is primarily known for its age management benefits, but it was actually first introduced as an acne management ingredient. It works by reducing inflammation and promoting skin cell turnover.
Anti-inflammatory acids
To help control acne, you can opt for acids that not only gently exfoliate the skin to reduce pore clogging, but also have anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include:
- Azelaic acid: Azelaic acid works similarly to AHAs by penetrating the skin and breaking up acne-causing blockages. It is gentler than other chemical exfoliators and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
- Mandelic acid: Mandelic acid helps regulate sebum production, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation.
- Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid, a BHA, is oil-soluble and helps unclog pores and remove dead skin cells.
Lightweight hydration
A common misconception for those with acne-prone skin is to skip hydration, but this can actually make breakouts worse. Hydration (in the form of water) is essential for skin health and can minimise breakouts by balancing oil production and minimising clogged pores.
Skin-barrier strengthening
A damaged skin barrier increases skin irritation, reactivity, and sensitivity, which will exacerbate acne breakouts and slow wound healing. A healthy skin barrier can retain moisture levels and keep irritants out for optimum skin protection.
