Acne is a skin condition marked by the appearance of pimples and small lesions on the skin. These symptoms are mainly caused by an overproduction of sebum in the pilosebaceous follicles, the cavities where hair grows. Clogged by excess sebum, these follicles become dilated and facilitate the entry of bacteria. The accumulation of sebum is then visible, and takes the appearance of white spots.
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All Important Facts About Acne.
Summary
- Who Is Affected by Acne?
- Acne and Its Physiological Process
- Steps To Take Against Acne
- Skin Care Treatments for Acne
- Source
Published September 26, 2023,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Who Is Affected by Acne?
One of the key facts about acne is that according to the SFD (French Society of Dermatology), 15 million people in France are affected by acne, including 3.3 million over the age of 15.
Acne is the number one reason
for consulting a dermatologist
and can lead to a lack of self-confidence
and real psychological suffering.
Acne affects an average of 80 to 90% of adolescents during puberty. The main cause of acne is the arrival of puberty. During this period, sex hormones increase in both men and women. This hormonal change causes excessive sebum production.
Adults can also be affected by late acne. This is the same skin condition, creating visible blemishes on the skin, usually less severe and more localized on the lower face.
In women, the progesterone produced each month by the ovaries before the onset of menstruation also acts on the activity of the sebaceous glands. Taking the pill in women can also accentuate or reduce acne, depending on its composition.
Note: Acne is also a matter of heredity. Some people whose parents or grandparents suffered from acne are more likely to have reactive skin that is sensitive to hormonal changes.
Acne and Its Physiological Process.
This chronic inflammatory disease develops in the pilosebaceous follicles: the sebaceous glands secrete too much or too thick sebum, which clogs the orifices and causes pimples and blackheads. This is called dysseborrhea.
In addition, in this grease-rich environment, a bacterium usually present in small quantities on the skin, Propionibacterium acnes, proliferates, which causes an inflammatory response on the skin surface. When lesions are deeper, they are called nodules or cysts.
Acne is often aggravated by several factors such as diet, hormonal fluctuations and pollution. One of the facts about acne is that stress is also linked to this condition. The presence of certain nerve cells in action near the sebaceous glands acts on the production of sebum. In addition, certain cosmetic products known as “comedogenic” contribute to clogging the pores of the skin, and thus promote the appearance of pimples.
Steps To Take Against Acne.
First, we would advise you to consult a dermatologist to have a precise diagnosis of your type of acneic skin condition. This will help you find your right skin care treatments for acne and find facts about acne prevention or the limitation of skin irregularities. Here are some essential steps to follow during your beauty routine:
Remove your makeup before going to bed.
It is not recommended to use harsh or irritating products, but to remove your makeup with gentle products. For example, choose our camellia oil makeup remover balm with its transforming balm-oil-milk texture. It removes makeup from the face and eyes and gently cleanses. The skin is supple, soft, and comfortable.
Clean your skin once or twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
To cleanse your skin, use the PHA exfoliating gel cleanser. Then apply our purifying toner to rebalance the skin's pH. Concentrated in salicylic acid known for its antibacterial properties, this lotion will also limit the development of microorganisms involved in the appearance of pimples.
Apply targeted care products.
Certain molecules such as salicylic acid are known to be effective in soothing and reducing acne pimples. After cleansing your skin, you can use a local blemish serum rich in salicylic acid and zinc. This is applied in the evening in small quantities only on the affected areas to dry out the pimples. Then finish your routine by applying our purifying face cream with zinc and bamboo extract.
Protect yourself from UV rays with a non-comedogenic sunscreen.
In this context, we would like to mention one of the significant facts about acne: we do not recommend prolonged exposure to the sun. The rays dry the skin and make it sweat, which excites the sebaceous glands, which will then produce more sebum and thus form more pimples. If you will be in the sun, we recommend you to use a sunscreen with high SPF that is appropriate for your skin type.
Use alcohol-free shaving and after-shave products.
Moisturize your skin.
Contrary to popular belief, even if you have oily skin, don't neglect moisturizing your skin daily. Apply a light-textured cream like our 9-ingredient moisturizing face cream morning and night.
Furthermore, on a daily basis, certain simple habits are recommended to limit acne outbreaks:
Clean cosmetic brushes or applicators regularly.
Avoid touching your face. Do not manipulate your pimples to avoid superinfections and scars.
Wear loose clothing to avoid rubbing.
Eat a balanced diet and practice sports.
Skin Care Treatments for Acne.
There are effective ingredients and skin care treatments for acne (before, during or after its appearance):
Salicylic acid is an antiseptic and exfoliating active ingredient that helps the skin to purify itself.
Zinc has an anti-inflammatory and healing action that acts on lesions.
Bakuchiol targets the bacteria that live in sebum (Propionibacterium acnes) and limits the production of pro-inflammatory molecules.
Azelaic acid, of plant origin, is known for its anti-comedogenic and antibacterial effects.
Essential oils of tea tree, lavender, rose geranium and peppermint are also used against blemishes.
We advise you to avoid sulfate-based cosmetics, which destroy the skin's hydrolipidic film. To avoid these harmful ingredients as much as possible, we recommend that you turn to natural cosmetics and check the list of ingredients carefully. Discover our blacklist of ingredients.
Source :
ZOUBOULIS C. C. Acne and sebaceous gland function. Clinics in Dermatology (2004).
Diagnostic
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