Ane - What is it and How can you treat it?

Impure and acne-prone skin is a very common problem that most often occurs on the face, chest, back and / or shoulders due to increased. You can have different degrees of acne, from mild to severe and the problems usually begin during puberty when androgens, sex hormones, begin to be produced and stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, or sebum, than necessary.

An excess of sebum along with insufficient exfoliation of old skin cells allows a clot to form in the hair follicle - a blackhead, or comedone, has formed. The oily skin also often has an excess of bacteria that can cause inflammation in the blocked hair follicle, which can lead to a pimple (also called papule or pustule). The inflammations can become very deep, which can lead to cysts.

WHY DO YOU GET ACNE? 

The causes of acne are mainly four; hyperkeratosis  (thickening of the stratum corneum, stratum corneum),  increased sebum production , bacteria and inflammation of the skin . Hormones and heredity are thought to be behind these conditions.

Acne is not due to not washing often enough, quite the opposite! There is also not much evidence that, for example, chocolate or fatty foods aggravate acne. However, it is believed that certain carbohydrates, large amounts of dairy products and smoking can aggravate the condition. Makeup and creams that are comedogenic, ie clogging the gums, can also be contributing causes.

HOW TO TREAT ACNE? 

Sometimes the acne can be so severe that medical treatment is necessary to prevent the worsening of the symptoms and to counteract scarring. However, drugs such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics can make the skin dry and cause sun sensitivity.

With the right type of skin care treatment, and by avoiding things that can cause and aggravate acne, one can avoid the classic side effects of the drugs, but still act on the symptoms. These are products that cleanse and treat the skin by regulating sebum production, speeding up cell renewal, fighting bacterial infections and reducing inflammation.

Look for the following ingredients in your products if you want to counteract and treat acne: 

BHA (salicylic acid): This acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is fat-soluble, which makes it suitable for a slightly oily skin with clogged pores. It has the ability to exfoliate down the pores, which dissolves sebum clots that can otherwise lead to inflammation in the skin.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Reduces inflammation of the skin, inhibits acne bacteria  p. Acnes  and reducing scars and stains.
Zinc oxide: Has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces excess sebum and inhibits the acne bacterium  p. Acnes .
Antioxidants: Helps protect skin cells from free radicals and relieves inflammation and redness.
Mandelic acid: An AHA acid that is known for its antibacterial properties in addition to the exfoliating effect of the acid.
Azelaic acid: Antibacterial antioxidant that soothes irritations and has a sebum-regulating effect.
Retinol, retinyl palmitate / acetate: Milder forms of the prescription vitamin A preparation tretinoin. Can in most cases also be tolerated by more sensitive skin types. Regulates sebum production.

SOME QUICK TIPS FOR ACNE:

• Avoid products that contain alcohol. Alcohol dries out the skin, which leads to it producing even more sebum.
• Always remove makeup before going to bed.
• Avoid makeup products that contain waxes. These can clog the pores.
• Do not wash your face. Twice daily is enough to wash with a gentle cleansing product that does not dry out the skin.
• Do not use peels with grains, scrubbing gloves or anything else that may irritate the skin. It can aggravate acne. Instead, use a product with BHA acid that chemically exfoliates the skin.
• Protect yourself from the sun! UV light can lead to acne breakouts. Choose an oil-free, light sunscreen product when you need to be in the sun and complement it with clothes and a cap or hat.
• Last but not least - do not squeeze the pimples! This can aggravate the inflammation in the skin and make the condition worse.