Acne can be caused by excess sebum and clogged pores. Doctors still aren’t sure what makes some people more prone to acne than others, but research suggests that your hormone levels may play a role. Acne is most common in teens and young adults with increasing hormone levels. 4 in 5 people will experience at least one acne outbreak by the age of 30. It is less common in older adults, whose hormones have levelled out. Stress can also affect hormone production, and therefore also play a role in the development of acne. However, there is no conclusive evidence so far that links stress, diet, or light makeup to acne. Caring for acne is as simple as using a mild cleanser twice a day, and avoiding hard scrubbing, exfoliating, or touching the pimples.
Step 1 – Cleanse away impurities with a cleanser (morning & night) Regardless of your skin type, cleansing twice should be the first step in every skincare regimen! It’s doubly important if you have acne-prone skin, as it helps eliminate impurities, oil and dirt that may clog pores and result in blemishes, whiteheads or blackheads. A mild cleanser will dissolve bacteria, dirt, and excess oil without stripping your skin of its natural oils or leaving it irritated. Step 2 – Toner (morning & night) After cleansing, a toner will open up your pores and prepare your skin to fully absorb further care. They also aid in removing excess oil, fighting blemishes and blackheads, and hydrating your skin. To apply, pour a few drops of toner onto a cotton ball. Gently swipe it over your face and neck. Step 3 – Moisturize (morning & night) A moisturizer helps to restore, hydrate and protect your skin. No skin routine, even for acne, is complete without it! Acne treatments can leave skin thirsty for moisture. A light moisturizer, applied once in the morning and once at night, reduces dryness and peeling. If you have oily skin, you still need to apply moisturizer. Without it, your oil glands go into overdrive to compensate, producing excess oil that leads to shiny skin, clogged pores and more acne. Step 4 – Treatment Product (morning and night) This is where the pimple-fighting magic happens. Acnes uses potent natural ingredients to reduce inflammation, clear up pimples and lighten scars. Remember to pair your nightly skin care with targeted spot treatments to speed up the treatment process while you rest. Step 5 – Acne Scars Product Scars happen as your body tries to repair the damage caused by acne. How it responds determines how much scarring you’ll see, and what kind. If your body produces too much collagen to repair the skin, you’ll see raised scars. If there is a loss of tissue, you’ll see pits or indented scars. Dark scars are caused by an excess of melanin at the site of the pimple. Scar treatments can lighten the dark spots or scars caused by acne and accelerate the time it takes for them to fade away.
Typically, your skin may fall into one of a few categories: normal, oily, dry, or sensitive. Combination skin means you have different skin types in different areas, like an oily T-zone and a dry chin. Your skin type can change over time and is affected by hormones, medication, your diet, and other factors. To get a good idea of what your skin type might be, wash it gently and leave it product-free for an hour before examining it closely.
| What you see/feel | Your skin type |
|---|---|
|
Balanced skin that’s neither too dry nor too oily |
Normal |
|
Feels greasy and looks shiny, especially in the T-zone (forehead and nose) |
Oily |
|
Feels tight, itchy or flaky |
Dry |
|
Redness, irritation, inflammation or itching |
Sensitive |
|
Dry or normal on your cheeks and chin, but oily in the T-zone |
Combination |
Only you can know your skin best! Pay attention to how it looks and feels from day to day, and how it reacts to different skin care products. This will help you decide on a routine that will help you keep your skin clear, healthy and youthful for many years to come.
Not all acne is created equal! Different types of acne require different kinds of treatment or prevention. 1. Hormonal Acne (Non-Inflammatory) What they look like: An unexpected number of zits around the jawline and chin, around the same time every month If you see extra pimples just before you get your period, your acne is the work of hormone levels changing. These hormones can ramp up oil production, leading to more oil, more chances of blocked pores and - yes - more breakouts. 2. Whiteheads (Non-Inflammatory) What they look like: A regular zit with a white dot in the middle. Whiteheads form when dead skin cells and sebum clog up a pore. That white dot, or head, is the cells and sebum gathered together. They typically show up on oily skin. When the oil mixes with bacteria and dirt, it causes inflammation that can lead to a swollen, red pimple. 3. Papules (Inflammatory) What You See: Patches of tiny, red-colored pimples. Any small, raised bump on the skin is called a papule. When discussing acne, however, they describe the inflammatory acne caused by bacteria. As the bacteria on your skin multiply, they cause inflammation and red, tender bumps that can be quite painful. 4. Pustules (Inflammatory) What You See: Inflamed red zits filled with yellow or white liquid. Pustules are the bigger, more inflamed version of whiteheads. These have come to a head, forming a pus-filled bubble on top. While whiteheads are simply plugged hair follicles or pores, pustules are caused by bacteria. 5. Cystic Acne (Inflammatory) What You See: Multiple, large, angry-looking pimples. Big, red, painful pimples are a sign of cystic acne. This is one of the more severe types that can arise due to hormones or genetics. Cystic acne can typically be worse than other forms of acne, as they lie deep in the skin and the infection from the blocked pores makes them painful and slow to heal. To keep it under control, keep the area clean, use chemical exfoliators, and fight the infection. It’s best to seek the advice and guidance of an experienced dermatologist. 6. Blackheads (Non-Inflammatory) What You See: Small, dark-colored spots blocking your pores Like whiteheads, blackheads are caused by a buildup of bacteria, skin cells and sebum which blocks the pores. Blackheads have a larger opening, which means air can get in and oxidise the oil within the pore, making it turn dark and giving it the tell-tale black head. 7. Blind Pimples (Non-Inflammatory) What You See: Subtle, painful bumps under the skin without a head. As the name tells us, blind pimples aren’t visible to the eye. But you can definitely feel them! This kind of pimple lies under the skin and as the pressure builds with nowhere to go, it can be painful or sensitive to the touch. Don’t squeeze or pick a blind pimple, as you can make it worse. They usually disappear on their own within a few days.
Gentle is the way to go! Use a mild cleanser specifically formulated for sensitive skin, without added colorants, fragrances or substances that can trigger irritation. Always wash gently, and avoid harsh scrubbing, rubbing or exfoliation.
Sometimes there’s no way to tell for sure until you try a product. But before you apply a product to your face, you can do a patch test on the inside of your wrist, behind your ear, or under your jaw. For products that are less likely to irritate your skin, look for those that are fragrance-free, contain little or no alcohol, and are labelled suitable for sensitive skin.
An uneven skin tone is caused by uneven pigmentation. Sun exposure and hormonal changes can also affect skin tone. Certain serums, creams or moisturizers, especially those with vitamin C, can all help to even out your skin tone. It’s also possible that a buildup of dead skin cells can lead to uneven skin tone. If that is the issue, exfoliating once a day or every few days can help.