In order to understand how to prevent and treat acne, it is important to know how our skin works and why acne occurs in some people. During puberty, specific hormones (called androgens) stimulate and enlarge sebaceous glands, which produce sebum. Sebum keeps our skin healthy and naturally hydrated.
When hair follicles become blocked, sebum and bacteria are trapped underneath the surface. As a result, the area becomes reddened and inflamed, which appears as acne. This blockage is also the cause of whiteheads and blackheads.
As you can see, acne is primarily related to androgens, which is why it usually occurs at puberty, and for many women during the menstrual cycle and/or pregnancy. Although there is no cure for acne, there are a few ways to minimize or prevent breakouts and keep the skin healthy.
SKINCARE
A common misconception is that acne is caused by dirty skin. As a result, many people believe you can clear up acne if you scrub the skin with harsh, abrasive cleansers. This is simply not true and many further irritate the skin. Remember, sebum is naturally produced by our sebaceous glands, and you don’t want to rid the skin of it completely.
The best way to keep skin clean is to wash the face morning and night with a cleanser that contains glycolic acid or salicylic acid. This will remove excess sebum and slough off dead skin cells. Products containing benzoyl peroxide will have an antiseptic property and help to fight the bacteria that contributes to acne. If you are particularly oily, follow up with a toner to balance out the pH of the skin. Everyone needs to use a moisturizer, regardless of how oily you are. Sebum will help to maintain moisture in the skin, but lack of hydration will actually cause more sebum to be produced.
MAKEUP
Use makeup, particularly foundations and powders, that are non-comedogenic, which won’t clog pores. This will prevent any further inflammation. Makeup and cosmetics that are oil-free are also a good choice for acne-prone skin. When shopping for a foundation, look for one that is water based which helps the skin to breathe.
If you are experiencing a major breakout, less is more. You might be tempted to pile on the makeup, but you want the skin to heal, so avoid heavy cosmetics. Also, remember to wash your makeup brushes frequently. A great tip is to mist a light layer of alcohol after washing your brushes to prevent bacteria growth and keep your tools clean. Also, if you use a powder during the day to touch up, don’t forget to replace that powder puff.
For the occasional breakout, use an oil-free, matte finish concealer. Apply the cover-up after your foundation and set the area with loose or pressed powder. If the area is very red, you might want to try a green-based corrective concealer to neutralize the redness.
BLACKHEADS & WHITEHEADS
Blackheads are dark, flattened spots on the skin’s surface caused by a partial blockage of the follicle. Sebum and dead skin cells oxidize and cause the dark color. Pore strips work very well to clear the blockage, however they don’t prevent blackheads. Whiteheads are the same as blackheads, except the follicle is fully blocked.
Since air can not reach the pore, there is no oxidation and the color remains white. A skincare routine that includes products containing salicylic acid will help to minimize the appearance of both blackheads and whiteheads.
