ACNE-PRONE SKIN
RESPONSIBLE
YOUR SKIN NEEDS
What Is It?
Acne breakouts are a common phenomenon during adolescence where certain areas of the body most notably the face, chest and back become riddled with pimples. At the age of 14, the skin starts to become oilier, which leads to the appearance of acne pimples in these areas. These pimples and/or pustules are caused by an increase in sex hormones which lead to an increase in the production and secretion of sebum that accumulates in the pores, clogs them and forms the acne pimple.
On average, 80% of teenagers both men and women have acne and the condition can persist into adulthood. In some cases, acne can affect newborns due to their mother’s hormones that are present during childbirth. However, this type of acne usually resolves spontaneously. Acne can clear up on its own as individuals begin to transition into adulthood, but it can still occur in adults if not treated.
What causes acne?
Hyperseborrhea is an excessive production and secretion of sebum caused by the hormonal changes of puberty. Sebum gives the skin a shiny, oily appearance. There is an excess of sebum quantity as well as a change in the chemical composition of sebum that is controlled by these hormones, the person’s diet and environment. The sebum of oily skin is generally thicker than normal sebum and drains with greater difficulty through the pores. This increases the risk of clogging the pores, hence the need for daily cleansing. Using a mild cleansing product intended for oily skin can get rid of excess sebum without drying the skin.
Check it out. After cleaning your skin of excess sebum, you need to avoid sebum packing up the pores again, applying a sebum-regulating product like BECLEAN MAT will help reduce sebum secretion and avoid the issues already mentioned.
Sebum is a good nutrient for facial bacteria. With excess sebum, the face becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, including Propionibacterium acnes, which is present on the face in normal quantities, but whose numbers can increase with the abundance of sebum. The increase in the number of these bacteria will lead to inflammation on the surface of the skin and the formation of pimples, comedones and acne pustules. A good measure to avoid this bacterial proliferation is to control and reduce the quantity of sebum from which the bacteria benefit.
This is the excessive renewal of skin cells that leads to a greater number of dead cells. The massive excretion of skin cells blocks the pores of the follicular canal and prevents the sebum from being secreted on the skin’s surface. In addition, the cellular debris (proteins and lipids) provides more nutrients for bacteria. The blocked pore, which now contains sebum, dead cells and bacteria, will fester and turn first into a papule, then into a pustule. It is therefore necessary to exfoliate the skin to avoid the accumulation of dead cells, which are a source of energy for bacteria and constitute the pore plug. The presence of silica in BECLEAN MAT and silica microbeads in BECLEAN will help exfoliate the skin properly and avoids pore clogging. Even better, silica is a mild abrasive agent which in turn will unclog the pores and reduce the appearance of acne.
What makes acne in women so
different from regular acne?
In addition to the common causes of acne in both sexes, women are more likely to develop acne as adults than men for the following reasons:
Genetics
Smoking, as smokers are more likely to get acne than non-smokers
Sun exposure
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Medication: oral contraceptives and hormone therapy cause acne to appear
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Use of inappropriate cosmetics: inexpensive cosmetics, occlusive make-up which prevents the skin from breathing
Hormonal fluctuations: after the age of 30, a late-onset hormonal acne outbreak begins to appear around the jawline and neck in women
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Use of unknown skin irritants: detergents, soaps, perfumes
Smoking, as smokers are more likely to get acne than non-smokers
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Medication: oral contraceptives and hormone therapy cause acne to appear
Hormonal fluctuations: after the age of 30, a late-onset hormonal acne outbreak begins to appear around the jawline and neck in women
As we age, the skin becomes dry and therefore less oily. However, adult acne can still develop in the form of pustules and comedones. These skin lesions can be treated, but the treatment of adult acne is different from that of adolescent acne.
How to treat acne-prone skin
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Avoid sun exposure
Although you may be tempted to resort to tanning to hide your skin imperfections, the opposite effect will happen and an acne flare-up will occur at the end of the summer. The sun’s rays have a largely negative effect on acne-prone skin. The sun’s UV rays eliminate the bacteria responsible for acne, which explains why acne disappears at first. But the sun is a double-edged sword because it stimulates the secretion of sebum, the oily substance involved in the process leading to acne. The sun’s rays also cause dryness and thickening of the skin, which are part of the problem of oily skin and will worsen your condition.
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protect your skin
The next step after cleaning your skin is
moisturizing it. All skin types can benefit
from a good hydration whether they are
dry or oily. Ideally, the best time to apply a
moisturizer is when the skin is still damp
(after showering or cleaning your face)
because that will lock in the water on the
surface of the skin.
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listen to your skin
Results begin to appear after 4-6 weeks of treatment. Some topical or oral treatments may dry out your skin. You should discuss this concern with your dermatologist, who will help you use an adjunctive treatment to improve your skin’s moisture level.
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cleanse your face
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curb your sebum secretion
Avoid excessive sebum secretion by applying a sebum regulating agent such as BECLEAN MAT, which reduces the amount of sebum on the skin’s surface and acts like a sponge by absorbing excess sebum.
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if all else fails,
ask the professionals
Consult your dermatologist, doctor or pharmacist to choose the right product for your skin. If, after using a cosmetic product, your condition does not improve or worsens, consult your dermatologist or pharmacist.