Treat The Cause Of Your Acne

Acne can be unsightly and emotionally devastating for the person who has it. There are many approaches to treating acne, what works for one person may not work for you. This is because there are different causes of acne, and what causes mine may not be the same as what causes yours. Acne is a symptom of an underlying cause. If you get rid of the cause, you can eliminate the acne.

Oily skin

 If you have oily skin, it will typically become noticeable during your teenage years. Oily skin produces abundant oil, resulting in a shiny, greasy appearance. This skin type also tends to retain dead skin cells, leading to a build-up of oil and dead skin cells in the pores.  Bacteria on the skin feed on it exacerbating acne.

The most effective way to address acne on oily skin is by reducing oil production in the skin. Niacinamide is one of my favourite ingredients for this, as it diminishes oil, reduces inflammation, and enhances skin texture. Since oily skin tends to accumulate dead skin cells that can clog pores, exfoliation is crucial. A chemical exfoliant is preferable to a granular one, as it allows enzymes and acids to penetrate pores and remove dead skin cells.

Hydration is essential for this skin type, as dehydration can lead to increased oil production. Therefore, using a hydrating serum is a necessity.

Standard Beauty - 10% Niacinamide Serum & 1% Zinc

Eleven2 - Hyaluronic Serum

Hormones

During puberty, both boys and girls experience an increase in hormones, mainly androgens. These hormones cause the oil glands to become larger and produce more oil.

For women, hormonal changes around menopause and during the monthly cycle can lead to acne. Breakouts can occur before, during, or after periods. This can happen even with dry skin, as the oil glands produce a thicker, stickier oil that can clog pores, leading to bacterial growth and acne.

Hormonal acne can also be caused by medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, so it's a good idea to consult a doctor about hormonal imbalances.

Including retinol in the treatment of hormonal acne is beneficial as it increases cell turnover and prevents the pores from becoming clogged. Salicylic acid is another effective ingredient as it also increases cell turnover, dissolves excess oil, and eliminates bacteria. The ideal concentration of salicylic acid to look for is 2%.

Maintaining a balanced diet can also help regulate hormones. It is recommended to reduce dairy intake, as it has the potential to increase testosterone levels and exacerbate acne. Additionally, reducing the consumption of simple carbohydrates and sugar can help decrease inflammation and oil production in the skin. These dietary changes can also reduce overall inflammation in the body and prevent "leaky gut," which is linked to skin inflammation.

Lelive - Save Our Skin AHA/BHA Exfoliator

Stress

Stress also triggers the 'fight or flight' response in the body, increasing testosterone production and other stress hormones. This can lead to hormonal acne caused by stress hormones.

Hair Products

"Remember that hair sprays and oils can clog pores, which leads to acne if they come into contact with facial skin. Acne caused by hair products usually appears along the hairline. If you wear a fringe, breakouts can occur on the forehead or any area where the hair touches the skin. The solution is to ensure that you wash your face after styling your hair so that any styling products that have come into contact with your skin can be rinsed off.

Wearing synthetic hair can also cause irritation and breakouts. Synthetic hair is coated with an alkaline base before it's packaged, this can lead to sensitivity and breakouts. Check out this resource to learn how to wash off this alkaline base."

Wearing a mask

We've been living with the Covid-19 pandemic for over a year and wearing masks has become the norm. This has resulted in "maskne" and dehydrated, sensitized skin for many people.

Maskne is essentially acne mechanica, caused by the friction from the mask fabric rubbing against the skin, leading to pimples and sensitivity. While wearing the mask, your breath creates heat and a humid environment, dehydrating the skin and causing increased oil production. Limited oxygen flow to the skin encourages the growth of the p.acnes bacteria, which thrives in an anaerobic environment.

The simple solution would be to wear the mask less, but for many people, especially those working outside their homes, that's not possible.

- Wear a barrier cream or oil to reinforce your skin's protective barrier. This will create an extra layer between you and your skin and decrease sensitivity. 

- Use a hydrating serum daily to help replenish any lost moisture. The barrier oil will also help seal it in.

- Use salicylic acid to clear the pores, and avoid wearing makeup when wearing the mask, as this will further suffocate the skin.

SKOON - Ruby Marine Barrier Recovery Face Balm

Makeup

Makeup needs to be thoroughly washed off the skin as it can clog your pores. Regular water-based cleansers do not effectively remove makeup and sunscreen, as they are oil-based. It is important to perform a thorough double cleanse to remove makeup.

Lelive - Cleaner Colada Coconut & Pineapple African Oil Cleanser