Acne is a common skin problem. But while you may consider it as a normal part of growing up, you should be aware that this condition also comes with underlying causes. The truth is: the inflammation that occurs under your skin has something to do with your immune system, what’s going on inside your body, and your habits.
Want to know more?
Read on as we expose the truth about acne, as well as the treatments that can help you.
What Your Acne Is Telling You
According to Traditional Chinese medicine, acne indicates weakness or toxicity on a certain part of the body. There are also certain beliefs that associate acne with health anomalies. If you have acne and already finds it bothersome, you’ll want to get rid of it even more once you learn the reason behind it.
Here’s a mini infographic that reveals some important facts about your acne:
ACNE ON FOREHEAD
This is a very common occurrence, but though it looks ordinary as it seems to be, you need to know that it’s usually bacterial in origin and has a lot to do with your lifestyle habits. It is also linked to digestive problems and may be associated with difficulty in breaking down the foods that you ingest.
BETWEEN THE BROWS
Pimples that appear between the brows usually result from eating greasy and fatty foods, as well as alcohol consumption.
ON THE CHEEKS
Polluted air is one of the main causes of pimples on the cheeks. Environmental pollution, as well as the air inside your home, are some of the contributing factors that you usually get exposed to. Likewise, habits like putting dirty things directly on your cheeks like your smartphone is a habit that transfers the germs from your device to your face. Smoking is another factor that exposes your skin to pollutants.
ON THE CHIN
Pimples that appear on the chin are common among women, especially during one’s period. It often occurs due to hormonal changes or as a part of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, it can also occur when dirty hands come into contact with your chin.
ON THE NOSE
Your nose is the spot where pimples or acne appear most of the time. Sounds familiar? Of course. But you should know that there are important things that a pimple on your nose may manifest. Usually, this is usually caused by the habitual touching of the nose. Your hands play as the link that connects your nose to pore-clogging oil and bacteria. Or at times, it occurs as a result of hormonal spikes and even wrong choice of cosmetics. However, you should not overlook that it can also be a sign of a disease involving blood circulation, endocrine or immune systems. Many people believe that heart, muscle or liver problems may also be the hidden reason for the pimple on the tip of your nose.
Certainly, there is more to acne than just an ugly sight on your face. But how do you identify the pimple on your face? To help you understand acne further, discussed below are the types of acne that you must already be familiar with.
7 FACTORS OF ACNE BREAKOUTS
1. FLUCTUATION OF HORMONES
Hormones are among the most common causes of acne breakouts, particularly before menstruation. This happens as a result of fluctuating hormones and usually appear on the chin, neck and back area.
2. HIGH STRESS LEVELS
According to studies, cortisol, the stress hormone released by the adrenal gland to help the body deal with stress, also contains testosterone. This hormone enhances the oil glands which leads to an increase in the production of oil in the body that leads to breakouts.
3. AIR POLLUTION
Another culprit that causes acne breakout, especially among those who live in the city, is air pollution. The thing that you see when you wipe your face with a cotton pad is just a small portion of the pollution that your skin has been exposed to.
4. SUGAR IN FOODS
You’ll have more reason to avoid sweets because of their effects on your skin. Sugar triggers the increase in insulin production, which can boost the oil that triggers testosterone, the male hormone. This the spike of the male hormone triggered by insulin can lead to breakouts.
5. IODINE-RICH FOODS
There are certain foods that trigger acne breakouts and while you may consider certain foods such as chocolates, pizza, caffeine, oily foods and nuts as the major culprits of your breakouts, you should be aware that this is yet to be proved. However, it is advised to avoid foods that are rich in iodine, particularly those found in shellfish and some vegetables like kelp and spinach. These foods won’t show acne breakouts right away, but after a few weeks or months, effects begin to surface on the skin.
6. WRONG CHOICE OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS
The beauty product that you’re using should match your skin type, if not, this can cause clogged pores or acne breakouts. For people with oily or combination skin, the skin products of choice should be those that are labelled “oil-free,” “noncomedogenic,” or “water-based.
7. WRONG CLEANSING ROUTINE
While cleansing is a typical part of your beauty regimen, you may be doing it the wrong way. In fact, cleansing too often and intensely can worsen your acne problem. It is best to use a gentle face cleanser that can help control breakouts and will not worsen your acne problem.
INGREDIENTS THAT WORK FOR ACNE TREATMENT
Do you often experience flare-ups even with a beauty product that’s meant for acne treatment? Here are some of the ingredients that can aid you in treating your acne problem.
- Salicylic Acid – Perfect for people with dry skin and helps get rid of dirt and clog pores, but has less potency than other treatments.
- Benzoyl Peroxide – Helps treat blemishes by killing the bacteria-causing acne. Use of moisturiser is advised as using products with this ingredient can lead to skin dryness.
- Retinol – Most suited for older people with acne. It assists in loosening oils deposited on the skin, while enhancing collagen production.
- Sulfur – Specially intended for people with sensitive skin as it gently clears up dirt and oil to free your skin from residue.
NATURAL ACNE SOLUTIONS THAT YOU HAVE TO TRY
LEMON
Known for its antibacterial and astringent properties, the juice from the lemon can help clear your skin. Simply apply it onto skin and leave it for 15 minutes to eliminate imperfections.
BAKING SODA
These days you will find a lot of information proving the power of baking soda–one of them is its ability to eliminate acne breakouts. Furthermore, this ingredient helps in the exfoliation and removal of dead skin cells, making it also suitable for the removal of acne marks and scars.
COCONUT OIL
Another natural beauty ingredient that has antibacterial and antifungal properties is the oil from coconut. This is a gentle solution that can leave the skin hydrated and help fight bacteria and redness without clogging your pores.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
This is a natural wonder that comes with antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, make sure to dilute it with water to avoid untoward reaction on your skin.
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is a very effective remedy for acne. This all natural essential oil comes with antibacterial properties that can help in the treatment of breakouts. Mix it with water for skin care or you can use it under your makeup.
GARLIC
Garlic is a popular natural antibacterial ingredient, but what you may not know is that it can also be used for topical application. Slice it thinly and apply onto skin. Leave it on the affected area for 15-30 minutes to treat skin problems.
CORNSTARCH
Experiencing redness and irritation caused by acne? You can find a soothing and gentle solution with cornstarch. Use it for your breakouts or as an overnight solution to see improvements on your acne problem.
EGG WHITES
Are you looking for a natural face mask? You can actually find a great remedy by using egg whites as a facial mask. Try it and you will notice how it improves oil reduction, draws out impurities and minimises your pores!
ICE CUBES OR COLD WATER
Cold is known to relieve inflammation. Use ice cubes or splash cold water on your face to close your pores and to push the bacteria out of your skin.
ALOE
Aloe is a natural ingredient that effectively soothes the skin, decreases inflammation and redness. Apply it onto your skin to stay free from the problems caused by acne.
DOS AND DON’TS TO EFFECTIVE ACNE TREATMENT
DO KNOW YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Some oil-containing beauty products can cause breakouts. To prevent acne, it is best to choose oil-free and non-comedogenic beauty options. These products has minimal risk of clogging your pores. However, for further problems to be avoided, it is best to minimise the use of certain beauty products especially when exercising or engaging in a routine that can make you sweat heavily.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND
Allies of Skin 1A™ All-Day Mask is the world’s first leave-on day treatment mask. It allows ease of application plus the potency of a mask in the form of a moisturising cream. Works well with all skin types and highly-effective for acne-prone skin.
DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE
Acne can worsen when your hands often come into contact with your cheeks or nose. There is an opportunity for bacteria to grow if you often put your hands on your face. Doing so can encourage the growth of bacteria and cause infection to areas with acne.As much as possible, make it a point to adopt a strict hands-off policy to be protected from breakouts.
DO RINSE OFF AFTER A WORKOUT
To avoid acne breakouts, rinsing off must be done right after the workout. This activity increases body heat which can result in the mixture of sweat and surface oils.When this happens, substances are trapped and cause clogged pores. It is not smart to sit around with sweaty work outfits as doing so can lead to the onset of acne on various parts of the body.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND
Odacite Mint & Green Tea Hydra-Purifying Treatment Mist is fast and effective facial mist that helps in reducing acne and breakouts. It helps control acne problems while hydrating the skin, oil- free.
DO NOT SKIP TONING
One of the most important steps to proper skin care is toning as it helps get rid of the residue or impurities even after you have already cleaned. Toning also plays a role in restoring the skin’s natural pH levels.
DO CONTROL YOUR STRESS LEVEL
People who experience stress produce cortisol, a stress hormone that boosts the production of oil from the skin’s sebaceous glands. Once the oil is mixed with dead skin cells and bacteria, the chance for acne to develop increases, and in some people with acne, their condition worsens. Taking short breaks, deep breathing exercises, and regular exercises are some of the stress-relieving strategies that can reduce your anxiety–as well as your acne problems.
DO NOT WASH AND SCRUB EXCESSIVELY
Overwashing and scrubbing may seem the right thing to do, but this may cause further problems. You should know that dirt isn’t the cause of acne. Therefore, using products with harsh ingredients won’t stop the problem. You may not be aware, but these harsh substances may even aggravate your acne problem.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND
Pure Konjac Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal offers deep cleansing so you can get rid of blackheads and dirt, and at the same time absorb excess oils and toxins. It works like a natural antioxidant that penetrates to eliminate the bacteria that causes acne.
DO EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
Another step that you should not miss in your beauty regimen is to exfoliate regularly. However, you have to do it gently. Exfoliation can help prevent and eliminate dirt buildup, clogged pores and dead skin cells that all contribute to acne.
DO NOT COMPLICATE
There may be no cure for acne, but you only have to keep it simple to effectively manage it. A proper skin care regimen using mild and natural beauty products will help you control breakouts and minimise your acne problems. Gentle solutions can help problems with acne at bay, while also allowing you to effectively manage them once they occur.
DO EAT HEALTHY
One of the contributing factors of acne are the foods that are high in trans fat and those that can induce allergic reactions. To avoid breakouts, eat right and avoid fatty and oily foods that may trigger a breakout. It will also be important to know your food allergies to avoid the ones that contribute to skin flare ups.
