Acne is a very common skin condition, mainly influenced by genetics and hormonal fluctuation. Although pimples occours mainly in adolescense, it also affects adults and can even appear during menopause.
What is acne? A combination of exessive sebum (oil) secretion and its composition, accumulation of dead skin cells, acne causing bacteria and inflammation creates a perfect breeding ground for acne.
• Pustules are Inflamed, raised bumps with yellow or white tops, filled with pus.
• Whitehead small, white bumps under the skin that occurs when dead skin cells and sebum accumulate in the pore.
• Blackheads small dark bumps caused by accumulated skin cells and sebum. These are unfortunately often mistaken for dirt, which is not true. The black “plug” occurs when the pore opens and its contents darken due to pigment and contact with air.
• Nodules Red and painful bumps under the skin.
• Darkened spots on the skin that may remain for several weeks or months after acne lesions clear up; this is called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” and is distinct from scarring
Why you shouldn’t try to remove all the sebum (even though you understandibly want to)
Each pore on the surface of the skin is an opening to a canal called a follicle. Each follicle contains a hair and an oil gland that secretes an oily mixture of fats called sebum over the skin surface. Sebum has an undeserved bad reputation, mainly because it’s often associated with acne, enlarged pores and a “greasy” complexion. Although too much sebum certainly causes skin issues such as acne and enlarged pores, it also plays a crucial role in the skin’s resilience, suppleness and provides that natural glow we all are longing for.
Sebum, together with sweat, forms the acid mantle, which is a thin, protective layer covering the skin’s surface. It helps locking in moisture and prevents skin damage caused by friction, UV-light or bacteria/pollutants. The acid mantle maintains a pH that is slightly acidic (4.8-6), which is crucial for the skin to look and feel balanced, healthy and radiant. The slightly acidic environment on the skin’s surface prevents overgrowth of acne bacteria. Added Prebiotics to restore balance to skins microbiome and prevent overgrovth of acne bacteria. PH balanced.
Over production of sebum
If the skin secretes too much sebum, the pores become clogged, leading to black heads, whiteheads and acne.
In addition, the constantly high oil secretion causes the pores to become stretched and more visible. There are other common factors that increases sebum:
Stress
Stress If you are prone to acne, stress and anxietycan aggregate the condition by increasing sebum production, causing clogged pores and acne.
Air humidity level.
Both High and low level of humidity in the air increases the skin’s sebum production. Low air humidity, which is common in winter, draws moisture from the skin, causing it to produce more oil to prevent dryness. Your skin needs a boost of hydration to stay balanced and to cope with the cold, dry winter air. High summer humidity can also trigger the sebaceous glands to over-produce oil. During varm summer days it’s perfect to add xxx to ×××, Thich provides extra sebum-regulating effect without drying or irritating the skin. Optimize your winter anti-acne skincare with light hydration boost ××× is perfect to.
Sebum composition in acneic skin
It is not only the greater amount of sebum that causes acne. The sebum of people with acne skin has lower levels of the important fatty acid linoleic acid. A deficiency of this fatty acid causes clogged pores and triggers inflammation Lack of linoleic acid causes dead skin cells to clump together and plug the pores, trapping sebum, skin cells and bacteria. Too low levels of linoleic acid also lead to reduced production of ceramides. Ceramide deficiency weakens the skin barrier and makes the skin more susceptible to bacteria, which can contribute to acne. We’ve added high-performance, plant-based ceramides and linoleic acid to our anti-acne products to optimize acne prevention and recovery.
Acne causing bacteria
C. acnes is part of skins normal bacterial flora and fulfills a number of important functions xxx.
Nevertheless, when trapped inside a clogged pore, the bacteria is allowed to grow by digesting sebum. Biproducts of this digestion can irritate the pores, which leeds to inflammation and acne. Xxx specially targets acne bacteria
Abnormal shedding of skin cells.
Normally, old skin cells are pushed out of the follicle onto the skin surface and fall off. If you have acne-prone skin, this process doesn’t work optimally. Instead, skin cells clump together inside the follicle, blocking the sebum and allowing bacterial growth that causes inflammation and acne.
The eccesive amount of sticky sebum also prevents dead skin cells from shedding. Instead skin cells and dirt sticks to the skin surface, irritating and further clogging the pores. Xxx prebiotic cleanser purifies your skin.. calming and repairing Peeling
Why cleansing can make or break your whole skincare routine.
Pollutants, makeup and dead skin cells can irritate the skin, cause inflammation and clog the pores, that’s why removing theese impurities is crucial.
There is a persistent myth that acne, oily skin and blackheads are caused by poor hygien. That is not true at all! It’s entirely other factors, usually inherited, that contribute to these skin issiues. In the hope that their skin will become less shiny and “dirty”, people with oily, acne prone skin often tend to over cleanse/exfoliate, using products that are too harsh and drying. However, excessive cleansing usually has the opposite effect. if all the sebum is removed, the acid mantle is damaged, causing inflammation and overgrowth of acne bacteria. In addition, the skin becomes dry and flaky, which can clog the pores. The skin also produces more sebum to repair itself. All these factors of course causes more blackheads, oiliness and pimples.
The last thing you want when struggling with inflammed skin and acne is more redness and soreness.
Harsh cleansers and drying peelings/alcohol toners often worsen the inflammation and irritation.
To break the negative spiral and restore the balance, it’s important to wash your face with non-foaming, gentle cleansers that doesn’t irritate and dry the skin.
Oxidative stress
Oxidative stress caused by UV-light and air pollutants such as car exhaust fumes, household cleancers, dust and tobacco smoke induces inflammation and weakens the skin barrier.
Skin’s own antioxidants works hard to prevent the damaging effects of surrounding toxins and bacteria. Since acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, the skin depletes it’s natural defenses faster than normal. Thats why acne-prone skin often lacks sufficient amount of antioxidants to supress inflammation induced by oxidative stress. This worsens the inflammation and further triggers acne. Therefore, ××× is reinforced with antioxidants to fight pollution stress and acne. If you live in an heavyily polluted area Add ××× pollution for extra protection.
Why add oil to already oily skin?
Contrary to popular belief, botanical oils can actually provide amazing benefits for all skin types, not only for dry skin.
Plant oils differ widely regarding vitamin and antioxidant content, fatty acid composition and how well they are absorbed by the skin.
Not all oils suits acne prone skin but oils such as …. can deliver all oily and acneic skin needs. and oils rich in linoleic acid can balance sebum production, reduce acne bacteria, strenghten the skin barrier and provide antioxidants, soothe redness and inflammation.
Totally oil-free products are often considered the best for treating acne prone skin. It’s certainly true that you need to be more careful about the amount and type of oil you use if your skin is prone to pimples. However, by completely avoiding oils you can miss out on their many anti-acne benefits.
Our aproducts contain high performance lipids with linoleic acid to effectively fight acne breakouts.
Acne is a very common skin condition, usually due to genetics and hormonal fluctuation. , accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria, exessive sebum secretion and inflammation play a crucial role in the formation of clogged pores and acne.
Although acne is most often associated with adolescence, it’s very common in adults as well.
Common acne myths
Sadly, there is a persistent myth that acne and black heads are caused by poor hygien. Thats why many people who struggle with oily skin and acne keep washing and exfoliating their skin far too often. This usually has the opposite effect with increased production of sebum and more blemishes. In addition, the skin becomes overwhelmed by too much cleansing and harsh skincare products, resulting in skin barrier damage and sensitivity.
Sebum
Each pore on the surface of the skin is an opening to a canal called a follicle. Each follicle contains a hair and an oil gland that secretes an oily mixture of lipids called sebum over the skin surface.
Although it’s often associated with negative aspects regarding the skin, sebum is actually crucial for a smooth, flexible and healthy complexion.
It helps locking in moisture and prevents skin damage caused by friction.
Together with sweat, sebum forms the acid mantle, a slightly acidic film (pH 5-6) that covers the surface of the skin. This protective, thin barrier is the skin’s ultimate defense against attack by bacteria, pollutants and UV rays.
Exessive sebum production
If the skin secretes too much sebum, the pores become clogged, leading to black heads, whiteheads and acne.
In addition, the constantly high oil secretion causes the pores to become stretched and more visible.
Sebum variations.
The sebum composition differ between people with and without a predisposition to acne.
Acne prone skin often have a lower level of linolenic acid, higher level of oleic acid and higher level of squalene.
Linoleic acid is one of the lipids that constitute sebum.
Lipid peroxidation
lipid peroxidation Squalane is naturally occurring in sebum and protects cells from oxidative damage by sun and pollutants. Acne-prone skin produces a larger amount of squalene than normal. Squalene is very prone to oxidation, forming a pore clogging by-product, which in turn causes inflammation and acne breakouts.
Linoleic acid
When the amount of linoleic acid is insufficient, the skin compensates this by producing an exess of oleic acid.
Lack of linoleic acid causes dead skin cells to clump together and plug the pores, trapping sebum, skin cells and bacteria. The wall of the follicle eventually rupture, increasing an inflammatory response.
The decreased amount of linoleic acid also weakens the skins protective barrier, which makes the skin more susceptible to bacteria.
Our xxx is boosted with linoleic acid to help unclog the pores and rebalance the sebum production.
Cutibacterium acnes
C. acnes is part of skins normal bacterial flora and fulfills a number of important functions xxx.
Nevertheless, when trapped inside a clogged pore, the bacteria is allowed to grow by digesting sebum. Biproducts of this digestion can irritate the pores, which leeds to inflammation and acne.
Abnormal shedding of skin cells.
Normally, old skin cells are pushed out of the follicle onto the skin surface and fall off. If you have acne-prone skin, this process doesn’t work optimally. Instead, skin cells clump together inside the follicle, blocking the sebum and allowing bacterial growth that causes inflammation and acne.
The eccesive amount of sticky sebum also prevents dead skin cells from shedding. Instead skin cells and dirt sticks to the skin surface, irritating and further clogging the pores.
Oxidative stress
Oxidative stress caused by UV-light and air pollutants such as car exhaust fumes, household cleancers, factory emissions, dust and tobacco smoke induces inflammation and weakens the skin barrier.
Antioxidants prevent the damaging effects oxidative stress have on the skin, however, since acne-prone skin often lacks a sufficient amount of antioxidants, , the skin is more vulnerable to oxidative stress, which in turn can aggrevate acne.
Because acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, the skin depletes its natural defenses against oxidative stress faster than normal. Therefore, acne-prone skin lacks a sufficient amount of antioxidants, vitamin E in particular, to cope with air pollutants and prevent inflammation.
Stress
Stress If you are prone to acne, stress can aggregate the condition by increasing sebum production, causing clogged pores.
Humid- and dry air.
The moisture level in the air also affects the skin’s sebum production. Low air humidity, which is common in winter, draws moisture from the skin, causing it to produce more sebum to restore moisture balance. High humidity, usually in summer, stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil.
Skincare habits
it can be tricky to maintain a balanced oil production, mainly because the skin is simply genetically coded to produce a larger amount of sebum, but also because there are so many external and internal factors that can stimulate the sebaceous glands.
Constantly oily, sticky skin and “impurities” are frustrating and it’s completely understandable that it feels good to wash it all away. However, If you wash your face too often with harsh foam cleansers, your skin can become dehydrated and sensitized.even if you are fed up with all the sebum your skin produces, your skin depend on it’s natural oils to stay healthy and protected. If too much it will produce even more to compencate, cant trick the skin… because it depends on sebum to stay glowing, smooth, hydrated and resistant.
Why add oil to already oily skin?
Contrary to popular belief, botanical oils can provide amazing benefits for all skin types, not only for dry skin.
Botanical oils differ widely regarding vitamin and antioxidant content, fatty acid composition and how well they are absorbed by the skin.
The fact is that botanical oils can regulate the skin’s own sebum production and calm acne, repair the barrier, soothe the skin, provide vitamins and antioxidant, seal in moisture and protect the skin from external threats such as pollution and UV rays.
Completly oil-free products have often been considered the only way to care for and treat acne and oily skin. It’s true that you need to be extra careful regarding the kind of lipids that you apply on your face. However, by completely avoiding naturak oils you miss out on things that can actually dramatically improve your skin.
Our anti acne products contain carefully selected lipids that help balance the sebum of oily and acne prone skin.
Vitamin A normalises the keratinisation processes of the skin. Avoiding hyper keratinisation it inhibits acne
.