Acne: what causes acne and how skincare can help
Many people have dealt with acne at some point in their lives, and experienced the frustration and embarrassment that can often come with it. Hopefully you can find something useful here, to help you or them, understand what's going on and try some tips to help treat it.
I've come to realise through the markets that I do and talking face to face with so many of my beautiful customers that acne seems to be such a big concern for themselves or someone they love. I get it, I've had it all, teenage acne, hormonal acne, acne from periods of eating and drinking badly, and boy was it embarrassing! So I’ve decided to write an e-book all about acne and;
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What is acne?
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Symptoms
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Causes
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Risk Factors
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Skincare for acne
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What else can help?
But for today I'll keep it short and sweet and if you are wanting more information or advice then you can keep an eye out for my ebook to simply reply to this email and ask away.
What is acne
In Australia, acne is the most common of skin diseases, affecting 85% of Australians aged 15 to 24 years. WOW! That’s a lot of people who are probably affected not just physically but mentally too! That’s why I want to help so much. And it’s not just teenagers, it's people of all ages. The earlier you can treat it, the lower your risk of ongoing problems and scarring.
Basically acne occurs when a hair follicle becomes clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up.
Symptoms
Acne signs vary depending on the severity of your condition:
- Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
- Blackheads (open plugged pores)
- Small red, tender bumps (papules)
- Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips
- Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
- Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)
Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
Causes
Okay so there are four main factors or causes of the different types of acne;
- Excess oil (sebum) production
- Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
Hair follicles are connected to oil glands so when they are clogged they jam up with the bacteria, get inflamed and cause the wrong type and excess amounts of oil.
Certain things may trigger or worsen acne:
- Hormonal changes. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.
- Certain medications. Examples include drugs containing corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium.
- Diet. Studies indicate that consuming certain foods — including carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, bagels and chips — may worsen acne. Further study is needed to examine whether people with acne would benefit from following specific dietary restrictions.
- Stress. Stress doesn't cause acne, but if you have acne already, stress may make it worse.
Risk factors
Risk factors for acne include:
- Age. People of all ages can get acne, but it's most common in teenagers.
- Hormonal changes. Such changes are common during puberty or pregnancy.
- Family history. Genetics plays a role in acne. If both of your parents had acne, you're likely to develop it too.
- Greasy or oily substances. You may develop acne where your skin comes into contact with oil or oily lotions and creams.
- Friction or pressure on your skin. This can be caused by items such as telephones, cellphones, helmets, tight collars and backpacks.
Skincare for acne
So how does skincare help? Or make it worse?
Cleaning Routine
Regularly cleansing your skin helps to remove dead skin cells. If you were to skip washing your face for a few nights in a row, or sleep with makeup on, it could cause a buildup of dead skin cells, oil or bacteria. This could lead to acne breakouts and a dulled complexion.
However if you wash your face too often or with the wrong products, then your skin may become dry and over produce oil to try and replenish production which may then lead to blocked pores. Using the right products that are full of low comedogenic (non pore clogging) ingredients will help balance your skin oil levels and remove the dead skin cells.
Using a clay mask
A clay mask will help to absorb pollutants, dirt and bacteria from your pores and beneath the skin level. Once you remove the mask it will also draw out the excess skin cells that may have built up.
Our Avocado & Hemp Clay Mask will replenish the natural oils with the 0 comedogenic rating Hemp Seed Oil, so your skin will feel soft and hydrated after use and not dried out.
Moisturise daily
Keeping your skin's moisture level balanced will help to tell your skin not to produce too much sebum. Use products that are light and won't clog your pores so your skin can breathe. Using a Hemp based moisturiser will also have the added benefit of being anti bacterial to keep your skin levels clean.
Don’t strip your good oils
If you feel that you have oily skin, using products that dry out your skin will only add to the problem.
Don’t use cleansers that foam or have harsh alcohols in them. They might feel good at the time but will only worsen the problem in a day or two.
Our Peppermint & Hemp Cleanser is non foaming and gentle on skin, while removing dead skin cells and being anti bacterial. It will replace your skin with beautiful Hemp Seed Oil which is full of omega 3,6 and 9 essential fatty acids that our skin just loves.
Allow 4- 6 weeks to see new skin regrowth.
Your skin cells can take 4 to 6 weeks to change and regenerate so keep to a simple routine and don't mix and match all different skincare. Stick to a few products that you like and see how your skin reacts over time. Then make adjustments accordingly.
Keep your hands clean and away from your face
Try not to touch your face too much as you may be putting dirty, bacteria full oil straight from your hands on your face. And never ever squeeze pimples or pick at your face.
What else can help?
Some other little tricks and tips that can all add up and help;
- Change your pillowcase frequently and use a bamboo or hemp pillow case if possible to help with antibacterial properties.
- Change your face cloth every day and use a hemp fabric if possible
- Keep your phone clean as you put it to your face regularly
- Be mindful of your hair products and keeping your hair off your face when dirty
- Check the ingredients in every skincare and make up product you own to make sure they have a low comedogenic rating
- Keep hydrated, but by drinking water regularly and applying moisturiser.
- Always wash your face at the end of the day
- Get your gut health checked
- Be mindful of your diet and certain food groups that might be affecting you
- Speak to a doctor about your concerns if you have tried these things and your skin is not getting better.
