Dealing with acne can be tough—whether you’re navigating the ups and downs of teenage skin or still facing adult acne breakouts, it’s important to understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Let’s take a compassionate approach to acne treatment, so you can feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
What Causes Acne? Understanding the Basics
To effectively treat acne, it’s important to understand its root causes:
1. Excess Oil Production: Overactive oil glands can mix with dead skin cells, leading to clogged pores and acne.
2. Dead Skin Cells: When skin cells aren’t shed properly, they can accumulate and block pores, causing breakouts.
3. Bacteria: Blocked pores create an environment where bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes thrive, leading to inflammation and cystic acne.
4. Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal changes, especially during puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy, can increase oil production and trigger hormonal acne.
Unexpected Acne Triggers
In addition to common causes, some lesser-known factors can also contribute to breakouts:
1. Diet: Consuming high-sugar and fatty foods can increase insulin levels, which may lead to more oil production and acne.
2. Stress: Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, disrupting skin balance and triggering hormonal acne.
3. Lack of Sleep: Poor sleep impairs skin repair, increasing inflammation and the risk of acne.
4. Cosmetic Products: Using heavy makeup or unsuitable skincare products can clog pores, causing breakouts.
How to Identify Your Type of Acne
Different types of acne require different care. Here’s how to identify the type of acne you might be dealing with, along with the key features and causes:
1：Whiteheads: These are closed comedones that appear as small, white or yellowish bumps under the skin. They don’t have an opening on the surface, making them different from blackheads.
Causes:
1. Hormonal imbalances, leading to excess oil production.
2. Buildup of dead skin cells that clogs the hair follicles.
2. Blackheads：Blackheads are open comedones where the clogged material is exposed to air, causing it to oxidize and turn black. They are commonly found in the T-zone area (nose, forehead, and chin).
Causes:
1. Hormonal imbalances leading to increased keratinization.
2. Oxidation of the clogged material in open pores.
3. Papules: These are small, inflamed red bumps that can be tender to the touch. Papules do not contain pus and are caused by inflammation in the hair follicles.
Causes:
1. Hormonal fluctuations.
2. Bacterial buildup and inflammatory response in the pores.
4. Pustules: These are similar to papules but contain pus, making them appear as white or yellow bumps with a red base. Pustules are a more advanced form of papules.
Causes:
1. Hormonal imbalances.
2. Accumulation of bacteria and inflammation in clogged pores.
3. Overgrowth of the hair follicle lining and sebaceous gland activity.
5. Nodules: Nodules are larger, more painful lumps that form deeper within the skin. They are often hard to the touch and can cause significant discomfort.
Causes:
1. Severe hormonal imbalances.
2. Increased sebum production leading to deeper follicle blockages.
3. Bacterial accumulation and severe inflammation.
6. Cysts acne: Cysts are the most severe form of acne. They are large, painful, pus-filled lumps that develop deep within the skin. Cysts can lead to scarring if not treated properly.
Causes:
1. Chronic hormonal imbalances and prolonged inflammation.
2. Deep-seated bacterial infections.
3. Severe inflammation and blockage in the skin’s deeper layers.
Daily Habits to Keep Acne in Check
Consistency is key to managing acne-prone skin. Here are some simple, effective practices:
1. Gentle Cleansing: Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser to remove excess oil and dirt without irritating your skin.
2. Balanced Diet: Prioritize fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Cut back on high-sugar and fatty foods to help reduce breakouts.
3. Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to support your skin’s repair and renewal.
4. Manage Stress: Incorporate stress-relief activities like yoga or meditation to help prevent stress-related breakouts.
5. Hands Off: Avoid touching your face to minimize the transfer of bacteria and oils that can lead to acne.
Different Stages of Acne and Corresponding Ingredients
Acne typically develops through several stages: the initial inflammation stage, pustule stage, scab stage, and post-acne mark stage. Different ingredients are suitable for different stages of acne.
1. Initial Inflammation Stage: Redness, Swelling, and Tenderness
Suitable Ingredients:
• Salicylic Acid: Unclogs pores and reduces inflammation.
• Tea Tree Oil: Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe redness.
• Centella Asiatica: Soothes and calms the skin, accelerating repair.
Recommend Products:
1: Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 150ml-by COSRX
2: Foam Cleanser Heartleaf Foam 150ml-by Abib
3: AHA BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 150ml-by COSRX
2. Pustule Stage: Presence of White or Yellow Pus
Suitable Ingredients:
• Benzoyl Peroxide: Potent antibacterial action to inhibit bacterial growth.
• Azelaic Acid: Reduces inflammation and swelling, minimizing pustule formation.
• Sulfur: Promotes skin cell turnover, accelerating healing.
Recommend Products:
1: VT Cosemtics Cica Spot Patch - by VT Cosmetics
2: AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream 30g-by COSRX
3: AC Collection Blemish Spot Drying Lotion 30ml-by COSRX
3. Scab Stage: Formation of Scabs After Pustule Breakage
Suitable Ingredients:
• Centella Asiatica: Promotes wound healing and reduces scar formation.
• Aloe Vera: Soothes, calms, and moisturizes the skin to aid in repair.
Recommend Products:
1:Green Power 98% Aloe Soothing Gel 300ml-by Dewytree
2: Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence(2 Sizes)
3: Cicaful Ampoule 30ml-by Beplain
4. Post-Acne Mark Stage: Red or Dark Marks Left After Acne
Suitable Ingredients:
• Vitamin C: Lightens pigmentation and brightens the skin.
• Niacinamide: Inhibits melanin production and improves post-acne marks.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Promotes cell turnover, accelerating the fading of acne marks.
Recommend Products:
1: The Vitamin C 23 Serum-by COSRX
2: Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum 30ml
3: Phyto-enzyme Peeling Pad（100pcs)
Finally, managing acne-prone skin is a journey, but with the right approach, you can achieve the clear, healthy skin you deserve. Remember to be gentle with yourself and your skin—consistency is key, and with time, you’ll see the benefits of your efforts. You’ve got this!
Amina
I hope it helps my breakouts