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Acne, or “acne vulgaris”, is an oily skin condition where skin’s sebaceous glands produce excess sebum. This causes pores to become clogged with dead cells and sebum. Sometimes, the process stops there, resulting in blackheads and whiteheads. This is known as “retentional acne”. In more severe cases, bacteria multiply in the trapped sebum and cause irritation in the skin, resulting in superficial pimples called pustules, or deeper, hard and painful lesions called nodules and cysts.
In acne, an inbalance in hormones called androgens cause the sebaceous gland to produce lots of oil. The same hormones cause increased production of skin cells lining pores. Pores then get clogged with a mixture of cells and sebum, becoming a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. This results in several types of pimple ranging from red spots to pustules or deep, painful cysts.
Acne is essentially caused by hormones. In females, this can be treated with birth control, also known as the oral contraceptive pill (OCP), which rebalances your hormones in favour of clear skin. See your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for this treatment, as it is not suitable for everyone.
Post acne scars are very hard to treat. Certain in-office treatments can help such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser and microneedling. In people with blemishes, post acne scars should be prevented from forming in the first place with suitable medications such as antibiotics or isotretinoin. Ask also your pharmasists about an expert daily skincare such as the EFFACLAR range.
Mild acne can be managed with the right dermocosmetic solutions. Gently cleanse skin twice daily with a micellar water or foaming cleansing gel. Follow with daily skincare with active ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide and piroctone olamine. If these measures are not enough, see your dermatologist to ask about medical treatments such as retinoids, antibiotics and isotretinoin.
The primary cause of acne is hormonal: The sex organs (testes in males and ovaries in females) produce hormones called androgens which send the sebaceous glands into oil overdrive, producing large amounts of clogging sebum. There re, however, several other contributing factors to acne, which include UV rays, pollution, diet and stress. Because acne is primarily a hormone-driven condition, it is most common in teenagers during puberty, but it also affects increasing numbers of adults, particularly adult women during their menstrual cycle.
Imperfections can be managed with prescription-only medications. When blemishes gets lighter, expert over-the-counter dermocosmetics, or a combination of the two also help. If skin blemishes are affecting your confidence, it’s important to take action rather than suffer in silence. With the right medical advice and skincare, skin can be progressively cleared for a long-lasting fresh-faced appearance.
In this section, you will learn all about the causes of oily and acne-prone skin, plus how to take care of it with top product recommendations. Swipe to discover articles on both teenage and adult acne-prone skin, in addition to our expert tips on how to cover up with imperfections-friendly make-up.
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