Acne is typically a common part of growing up; however, some people are lucky enough not to suffer from this problem. For most of us who are not as fortunate, we are all too familiar with breakouts and their many consequences. To treat this problem, first, you need to understand what acne really is, including its actual cause.
What Is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that appears as different forms of bumps, such as blackheads, whiteheads, cysts and pimples. Teens are often the victim of acne due to hormonal changes that occur during puberty. Acne is a genetic problem so if one or both of your parents had it, there is a good chance that you will, too. Fortunately, acne usually clears up once you become an adult. Yet, some adults can still get it due to reasons such as hormonal problems or the use of certain skin care products.
Why Does Acne Occur?
The most common type of acne is called acne vulgaris, which usually affects your face, neck, shoulders, chest and upper back. It develops because the sebaceous glands (the oil glands that produce the skin and hair’s natural lubricant, sebum), produce too much oil. This is a result of the changes in the body as it develops and matures; the higher hormone production in the body stimulates more production of sebum, care of the sebaceous glands.
When there is too much sebum in the skin, coupled with dead skin cells that are not removed and the proliferation of bacteria, the result is acne. If pores are clogged up, and it closes and bulges out from underneath the skin, you get a whitehead. On the other hand, if it gets clogged up, but remains open, the top surface will darken and you are left with a blackhead.
In some cases, the wall of the pore opens up, which allows sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria to reach the area under the skin, which leaves you with a small and red bump – called a pimple. In most cases, pimples are filled with pus; this is a normal reaction of the body to bacterial infection. If the clogged pores open up deep into the skin, nodules develop. These are infected lumps (cysts) that are larger in size compared to pimples, and they tend to be painful. Sometimes, large cysts can develop into boils, which are caused by a staph infection.
The good news is that you can treat acne and even get rid of it permanently, as long as you use the best products for acne.
What Can You Do About Acne?
The first step to fighting acne is the use of a clarifying cleanser. You should wash your face with a cleanser around two times daily, but make sure it is a formulation that is designed for acne-prone skin. Look for ingredients that fight acne development, such as salicylic acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid. These compounds address the actual cause of acne by getting rid of excess oil, destroying bacteria and eliminating dead skin cells.
If you already have acne, don’t worry, because there are skin care products that are formulated specifically for spot treatment. These formulations help clear up the skin quickly and allow it to heal faster. Considered one of the best products for acne, spot treatments dissolve excess oils on the skin’s surface, unclogging pores. The best products also remove dead skin cells and other impurities while disinfecting the skin to get rid of acne quickly.
If you’re in the market for a spot treatment, you need to know what ingredients to look for. One active ingredient that’s thoroughly proven to have anti-acne effects is colloidal sulfur, which removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores while balancing skin pH as well. Another active ingredient that works is zinc oxide, a natural mineral that decreases the amount of oil that accumulates on the skin’s surface. It also reduces swelling to help with the skin’s healing process. Salicylic acid also works wonders when used in a spot treatment; it penetrates deep into the pores and clears out undesirable oils to enhance the clearing up of the skin.
In a nutshell, acne is not just a problem that affects teenagers, but it wreaks havoc on the skin of adults as well. Nevertheless, it is a treatable problem and as long as you employ the right skin care routine, you can get rid of it permanently. Build your skin care routine based on the tips in this article, and look for products with the anti-acne ingredients mentioned. In no time, you can say goodbye to your acne problem.
