ASK SERUMIZE is back and this week we will be tackling one of the most asked questions in our help mail. What causes acne? This question has been the subject of millions of Googles and our expert-Lesley Bowen, a medical esthetician is here to answer the question once and for all today.
What Is Acne?
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs when the hair follicle becomes plugged with dead skin and sebum
Why Do I Have Acne?
Lesley tells us that there are varying factors that contribute to the occurrence of acne
One of them is hormones, hormonal imbalances or fluctuation can trigger breakouts
Another factor is diet, consuming foods that trigger inflammation can also cause breakouts
Improper usage of skin care products can also cause the skin to break out in acne. Genetics are also essential as skin types and conditions are inheritable traits that predispose one to acne-prone skin.
What Foods Can Trigger Acne
For people with acne-prone skin, dairy intake is recommended to be reduced or removed from your diet as it is highly inflammatory.
What Is Your Defense Against Acne?
A great ingredient to combat acne are Beta Hydroxy Acids. And that’s what our Clear Fight Serum is. It contains salicylic acid which exfoliates the skin and combats acne by unclogging the pores. The Clear Fight Serum contains Manuka Honey to calm and soothe inflamed skin. Our Clear Fight Moisturizer and Clear Fight Cleanser contain salicylic acid to manage acne flare-ups. They also contain ceramides and glycerin to maintain your skin's barrier.
Misconceptions About Acne
Lesley says one of the biggest misconceptions about acne-prone skin is that it doesn't need hydration. She sees clients all the time who overuse BHAs and neglect hydration. This impairs the skin barrier and often worsens acne by causing more or prolonged breakouts. She recommends that when using actives like BHAs and retinol, the skin must be adequately hydrated and replenished to calm inflammation and combat dryness. This can be done with our Peptide Quench Serum which contains 12 peptides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera
Another misconception is having too many products in a routine to manage acne. Dozens of products with active ingredients can worsen acne and reduce the benefits of the helpful elements. Keeping it simple is key.
What Other Ingredients Will Manage My Acne?
Lesley recommends niacinamide as a superstar ingredient that manages acne, reduces inflammation and repairs the skin barrier. You can find Niacinamide in our Clear Fight Moisturizer and Clear Fight Cleanser.
Benzyl Peroxide is another great ingredient for managing acne despite its drying effects. Including it in your routine just means supplementing your hydration
What Will My Skin Care Routine Look Like With Acne?
Lesley recommends we keep it to 5 steps
- Start with a gentle cleanser like our Ultra Restore Cleanser
- Go in with an act like our Clear Fight Serum
- Hydrate and Soothe Skin with Our Peptide Quench Serum
- Apply a Niacinamide based moisturizer
- Finish off with SPF. Never neglect sun protection especially when you are using actives
Lastly, Lesley recommends seeing a dermatologist if acne persists after a few rounds of treatment.
That’s it for this week on ASKSERUMIZE. Send any questions you have to us at aesthetician@serumize.com
Learn more about acne from Lesley in the video below.
